Student Veterans in Transition

Rumann, C. B., & Hamrick, F. A. (2010). Student Veterans in Transition: Re-enrolling after War Zone Deployments. Journal of Higher Education, 81(4), 431-458. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

This article discussed a study conducted by the authors aimed at addressing the specific transitions made by National Guard and Reserve members of the military. Specifically, they focused on how these individuals defined their roles as soldiers and students. In order to understand these students’ experiences from their unique perspectives, the researchers chose a qualitative, phenomenological research design using Schlossberg’s theory of transition to guide their theoretical framework. They interviewed respondents from one large university for their method of data collection. They sampled students who met the criteria by having withdrawn and re-entered school. In total they interviewed six individuals over the course of nine months.

In their findings it was determined that most all of the respondents reported basic administrative concerns. According to Rumann, “Virtually all respondents reported practical transition concerns, most of which related to university infrastructure or policies that complicated re-enrollment. According to respondents, minor annoyances (e.g., closed e-mail accounts, temporary loss of technology and facilities access) could be readily addressed; more serious problems (e.g., lapses in student insurance, cancellation of financial aid, or being off-sequence for infrequently offered courses) required more time and, in some cases, intervention by others on their behalf ”(Rumann, 2010). Furthermore, the experience of combat affected many of the respondent’s temperament and stress levels. Universally, all of the respondents reported at least mild aspects of Combat Stress Disorder.

Assessment: Although this study was very interesting, in-depth, and related to my topic of interest, it has so narrow a pool of participants that applying it to other types of research would not be advisable. Along these lines, the research has several limitations. Not all branches of service were represented, nor were any of the respondents diagnosed with physical disabilities or PTSD. The emphasis was placed on in-depth analysis of only a few select veterans. The article gave me a better understanding of how to approach a research project. As enviable as their ability to conduct a longitudinal study is, it is not practical for a grad student with limited resources.