Women in Combat Need a Collaborative Culture Shift
Abstract: The 2021 Women in Combat (WIC) Symposium brought together hundreds of service members, researchers, and multidisciplinary leaders for 3 days of virtual education and interactive discussion regarding female leadership, operational performance, and physical health and well-being. Three days of presentations were followed by virtual face-to-face breakout room sessions that aimed to identify gaps currently impacting military servicewomen, mirroring the inaugural WIC Symposium held in 2014. Keynote speakers revisited old recommendations and redefined these in the context of new research and policy changes within the Department of Defense (DoD), making it apparent that although much work has been done, policy and practice are yet to fully integrate the research recommendations that will improve the health and wellness of servicewomen. Originally planned as an in-person meeting, the WIC Symposium was held completely online because of the sustained threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. This event was collectively attended by nearly 10,000 people, reflecting an attendance of over ten times the number of registered attendees. The 2021 WIC Symposium was successful in part because of the groundwork laid by previous researchers who laid out virtual meeting best practices and in part because of the increased accessibility of an online event.
Abstract: The unique demands of military life can adversely impact romantic relationships; however, research has mainly focused on these adverse outcomes at one-time point, overlooking changes over time or potential positive outcomes. Using a subsample of 3,845 male and female military personnel and veterans from a large UK dataset, this study examined positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction between two-time points (2007–2009; 2014–2016). Most participants reported no change in their relationship satisfaction, suggesting stability − 8% reported a positive change and 10% a negative change. Positive change was associated with being in a long-term relationship, alcohol misuse remission, and persistent alcohol misuse. Negative change was associated with the onset of mental health problems (probable PTSD, CMD, or alcohol misuse) and having children under 18. Some factors, like increasing age, childhood family relationship adversity, and mental health problems, were associated with both positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction. This study highlights the complexity of factors associated with relationship satisfaction among military personnel and veterans, with some experiencing positive changes, as well as negative changes over time.