Communicative Challenges of Reintegrating Veterans

Research shows that communication in the transition from active duty to military veteran provides several challenges. Communication on active duty is reported as clear and explicit in its hierarchic relations. Communication with civilians can at first be cryptic and only implicitly hierarchic. On active duty, a service member relies on the chain of command for medical needs. Afterwards, veterans must take initiative to ensure healthcare needs are met. Veterans communicating about employment must put military experience into terms that civilian employers understand or risk settling for less prestigious and lower paying jobs in the civilian workforce.