Deployment Psychology Blog

By the Numbers - Jan. 4, 2016

21%

The percentage of the total Veteran population comprising minorities, according to an August 2015 report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Profile of Minority Veterans: 2013(PDF). The two largest minority groups identified by the report were Black (11%) and Hispanic (6%). Some additional findings from this report:

  • Minority Veterans are younger than White Veterans
  • Among women Veterans, 34% are minorities

Staff Perspective: Old Wounds, New Insight - Helping our Vietnam Veterans Heal Now

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. Although more than 40 years has passed since the end of that war, it has become evident that long-term psychological repercussions still linger, impacting both those who served and the nation that sent them. Collectively, the experiences of those who fought have touched our country and been well documented in postwar art, literature and film, yet questions still remain about the specific impact of that war on the individual warrior today.

Staff Perspective: Don’t we all just want to be safe?

If you would ask any stranger on the street if they like to feel safe, it is likely that they respond “Yes”.  This is nothing new or surprising.  In fact, most young children can articulate this concept.  It is clear that the need for safety is innate. It makes sense then that we all yearn for a sense of safety.  Every one of us has people, places, or things that contribute to our sense of safety. We see the need for safety all around us. We see it in the infant reaching out to his caretaker when feeling scared.  As early as infancy, safety signals can include a “blanky,” a stuffed animal, or any other transitional object.  In other words, we give ordinary objects, extraordinary power!

By the Numbers - Dec. 21, 2015

213,600

The number of remaining closed positions, comprising 52 military occupational specialties, that will be opened up to women via a December 3 memorandum (PDF) signed by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. Most of these specialties are in Army and Marine Corps infantry/armor units. In his memorandum, Ash directed the secretaries of all military departments and chiefs of military departments "to provide their final, detailed plans" for integrating women into these positions by January 1, 2016

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