ABSTRACT
War is a human experience that is life changing for many military service personnel. As outlined in previous chapters, much is known about the biological and psychological impact of war on human experience. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the role that spirituality plays in the recovery environment following military service during wartime. Many veterans are finding the transition from deployed to nondeployed status a serious challenge. Some, still serving on active duty, have returned to station and are preparing with their families for the possibility of another deployment; some, on active reserve status, have returned home to family and career, only to find a shortage of supportive resources to meet their needs. Although new programs such as the Warrior Transition Units have been established, they are not as yet fully staffed and capable of fully meeting current needs. Many of the personnel that have discharged from their military service have found long waiting lists for health services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The goal of this chapter is to acquaint the reader with ways in which spirituality can be a potential resource for coping with the many varied losses and stressors of deployment and homecoming.
