The Guilty Veteran: The Spiritual Implications of Veteran’s Guilt

Abstract: Guilt is a very old and powerful force in humanity that crosses most boundaries of culture and religion. Feeling guilty or fearing pronouncement of guilt can significantly influence a veteran’s mental health. It can be manifested in several ways, including flashbacks, terrifyingly vivid dreams, and startle responses, all of which blur distinctions between past and present realities. It also has a powerful spiritual dimension and the relationship between guilt-sin-punishment-redemption is a feature of many religions and faith groups. This paper seeks to outline the spiritual implications of guilt for veterans and their families. To achieve this, it will be necessary to initially understand guilt in both a general and spiritual sense. From this basis, the potential sources of guilt can be examined, and then critical spiritual implications can be understood. Management of veterans and their families with guilt issues must always be a collaborative effort, undertaking trained and accredited professionals in all of these areas.