Varied Experiences of Being Minority: Student Veterans' Identity/Cultural Transition by Race

• In Event: A Critical Exploration of Educational Experiences of Boys and Men of Color

Abstract

This study explored the military-civilian transition experiences of White, Black, Hispanic and Asian male student veterans, and examined the impact of race on their construction of military identity during the service and civilian/student veteran identity formation during civilian transition. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), interviews with 42 veterans were collected and analyzed. Findings suggest that the groups experienced varying degrees of cultural shock, with race being a factor in creating significant variations between the two groups. Informed by Critical Race Theory, this study highlights the importance of race in drawing a deeper and complex understanding of student veterans’ civilian transition and identity construction in racialized America.

Authors

• Jae Hoon Lim, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Brittany Hunt, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• John A. Williams, Texas A&M University