Abstract:This study explores moral injury experienced by former combat veterans from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. who have faced suicidal ideation or attempts, particularly in relation to their assimilation into civilian culture following combat. Several clinicians and researchers in the field have defined moral injury as a psychological trauma characterized by intense feelings of guilt, shame, and existential crisis, resulting from actions that violate one’s moral beliefs, experiences of betrayal, or witnessing trusted individuals committing atrocities. The current study aims to investigate how veterans’ experiences of combat service contribute to their struggles in reconciling actions that conflict with their personal moral beliefs. This internal struggle often leads to moral conflict and injury, which can be more prevalent than the commonly diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).