Revisiting the courage to be to understand transition from a military life
This article, drawn from a comprehensive empirical study, offers a theological reflection on the transition from military to civilian life. The author revisits Tillich’s classical existential theology in an attempt to understand the transition as an existential threat to the participants in the study. The transition can be understood as a temporary state of non-being in life where identity, purpose, meaning, community, and belonging are at least initially lost, and this loss has implications for the spiritual and moral life of a service member amid transition. A call to friendship is proposed in order to assist a full transition to civilian life. The author suggests that theological interpretations of the process can contribute alternate voices and enrich the language repertoire and understandings of transition in secularised and pluralised contexts. Additionally, that it is beneficial to cultivate a more fruitful interdisciplinary relationship between the humanities (theology and the social sciences).
Abstract: Introduction: Persistent inequities exist in obstetric and neonatal outcomes in military families despite universal health care coverage. Though the exact underlying cause has not been identified, social determinants of health may uniquely impact military families. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the potential impact of social determinants of health and the lived experiences of military individuals seeking maternity care in the Military Health System. Materials and methods: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Nine providers conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with individuals who delivered within the last 5 years in the direct or purchased care market. Participants were recruited through social media blasts and clinic flyers with both maximum variation and homogenous sampling to ensure participation of diverse individuals. Data were coded and themes were identified using inductive qualitative research methods. Results: Three main themes were identified: Requirements of Military Life (with subthemes of pregnancy notification and privacy during care, role of pregnancy instructions and policies, and role of command support), Sociocultural Aspects of the Military Experience (with subthemes of pregnancy as a burden on colleagues and a career detractor, postpartum adjustment, balancing personal and professional requirements, pregnancy timing and parenting challenges, and importance of friendship and camaraderie in pregnancy), and Navigating the Healthcare Experience (including subthemes of transfer between military and civilian care and TRICARE challenges, perception of military care as inferior to civilian, and remote duty stations and international care). Conclusions: The unique stressors of military life act synergistically with the existing health care challenges, presenting opportunities for improvements in care. Such opportunities may include increased consistency of policies across services and commands. Increased access to group prenatal care and support groups, and increased assistance with navigating the health care system to improve care transitions were frequently requested changes by participants.