The relationship between Black racial identity, military identity, and postdeployment reintegration of Black male veterans

Abstract

Given the increasing rate of military service members who experience mental health issues during reintegration into civilian culture, the need for counselors who specialize in postdeployment reintegration practices for Black men persists. Moreover, a nuanced approach to understanding how best to provide culturally competent support in therapeutic contexts for Black male veterans, a psychologically vulnerable population due to historical experiences of oppression and discrimination, is worthy of additional consideration. This study explored the impact of Black U.S. men's (N = 94) racial and military identities on postdeployment reintegration. Results indicated a significant predictive relationship between Black racial identity, military identity, and postdeployment reintegration. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Black U.S. Military Affiliated Perspectives on Sport Media's Coverage of Racial Representation and Athlete Activism

“…Conversely, it has also offered a platform for those who object to such protests, often calling them "unpatriotic" and "disrespectful" to the military, despite the fact Kaepernick sought to make clear that his protest was not focused on militarism (Doehler, 2023). While military members are often positioned in U.S. discourse as fighting for the country's "freedoms," the long history of oppression and violence directed at Black people in the U.S. leads to many Black military members struggling to come to terms with their conflicting career and racial identities (Winters et al, 2023). In this context, the current study investigated the ways in which people who identify as Black and are associated with the military make sense of notions of U.S. nationalism and racism amid the recent wave of athlete activism.…”