Military personnel are increasingly transitioning out of the military. Veterans bring varied strengths and experiences to their academic journey as they enter colleges and universities. Many campuses are responding to the unique needs of these veterans by offering academic, emotional, and personal support to assist them in their quest for a university degree. This article describes an exploratory qualitative study of the benefits of a mindfulness skills group program designed to assist student veterans in coping with stressors related to their transition from warrior to student on a large campus that has a robust veteran-friendly initiative. This program was offered in a group format over three semesters and served 14 students. Qualitative data on perceived benefits of the program were collected from nine of these students using pre-post questionnaires and feedback from a post-intervention focus group. Data analysis indicated several themes related to perceived benefits of participating in the mindfulness skills groups. Findings suggested students attributed improved emotional and physical coping, positive changes in personal functioning, improved organizational capabilities, and improved stress management skills to participation in the mindfulness skills group. Lessons learned from implementing this program are offered.
U022016