Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Relationships Between Characterizations of Military Service: Bad Discharge and Veteran Homelessness Ronnie Fairley Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, and the Military History Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Ronnie Fairley has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Ernesto Escobedo, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Victor Ferreros, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Tamara Mouras, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Relationships Between Characterizations of Military Service: Bad Discharge and Veteran Homelessness By Ronnie Fairley, Major, USAR, RET MA, Carnegie Mellon University, 1989 BS, Pittsburg State University, 1984 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2020 Abstract Given the current global war on terror, there was concern that the influx of servicemen and women returning from the war with less than honorable discharge would increase veteran homelessness in the United States. Using Castro and Kintzle’s military transition theory, the purpose of this nonexperimental correlational design was to determine relationships between military characterizations of service and veteran homelessness. The correlational research design was used to determine the relationship between military discharge and veteran homelessness. Data were acquired from archival data regarding separated American servicemen and women who served in the military from the Defense Manpower Data Center and veteran homelessness data from the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. Data for the years between 2009 and 2018 were used for the analysis. The sample included active duty separation from 2009 to 2018. The initial sample consisted of 1,910,545 service members. Using a simple regression analysis, a significant relationship was found between punitive discharge and veteran homelessness. The results of the study may be sued to increase public awareness of veteran homelessness issues involving the transitional experiences of returning veterans which will educate military officials or policymakers, family, and the public. While understanding the dynamics of military characterization of service, governmental departments can contribute to social change by designing effective programs and comprehensive services that are necessary to help veterans transition successfully. Relationships Between Characterizations of Military Service: Bad Discharge and Veteran Homelessness By Ronnie Fairley, Major, USAR, RET MA, Carnegie Mellon University, 1989 BS, Pittsburg State University, 1984 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2020 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the true cast of my life: Ronnie Zackery (Big Boy) Fairley, James (Schnoor) Fairley, Iva Jane Fairley, Ardell (Big Cat) Fairley, Parnell (Cactus) Fairley, Dr. Connie Hicks, Rosa McNeill, Fannie Cribb, Annie Bell Graham, Betty Woods, Lillie Jacobs, and my late brother Charlie Ray (Chico) Fairley. Thank you to my late parents Mr. Zack Haywood and Mrs. Emma Robinson Fairley. From my mother's death bed, I do not know what is to become of you all (Connie, Charlie, and myself). Well, two Doctors later. You all inspired me throughout my humble life. Acknowledgments I want to thank Dr. Ernesto Escobedo, Jr., for the positive feedback, and outstanding work directing, support, and continuous prodding when necessary. Also, thank you to my committee member, Dr. Augusto Victor Ferreros, for his critical help in shaping and leading my dissertation. Thank you to Dr. Justice Uche and other colleagues for their contributions and many spirited discussions. To God, without Him, this would not have been possible. He deserves all my praise! Table of Contents List of Tables……..……………………………………………………………………...vii List of Figures…….……………………………………………………………………..viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Introduction……………………………………………………. ...................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................5 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................6 Transitional Theories .....................................................................................................6 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................8 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................8 Limitations .....................................................................................................................8 Definitions of Terms ......................................................................................................9 Significance..................................................................................................................14 Summary ......................................................................................................................15 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 16 Introduction ..................................................................................................................16 Organization of Chapter ...............................................................................................16 Research Strategies ......................................................................................................17 i Transitional Theories ...................................................................................................17 Military Transition Theory .........................................................................................18 Baltes Life-Span Theory ..............................................................................................20 Schlossberg’s Transition Theory .................................................................................20 Schuetz Homecoming Theory......................................................................................23 Magnusson’s Holistic Person-Context Interaction Theory ..........................................24 Military Transition .......................................................................................................25 Transition .....................................................................................................................27 Reintegration and Readjustment ..................................................................................27 Military Culture: The Nature and Experience .............................................................29 Military Norms.............................................................................................................31 Military Identity and Transition ...................................................................................32 The Problems of Transition .........................................................................................38 Mental Health Consequences and Transition ..............................................................43 Readjusting to civilian life ...........................................................................................45 Transition Assistant .....................................................................................................46 VA & Veterans’ Benefits Claims Process ...................................................................47 VA Eligibility Criteria .................................................................................................48 DD Form 214 ...............................................................................................................50 Military Justice.............................................................................................................52