Addressing Religion and Spirituality in Military Settings and Veterans' Services

This chapter examines key relationships between spirituality and aspects of military service that are manifest while members are in active service as well as those found among veterans after their discharge from active duty. We illustrate many of our points with work we have conducted with the U.S. Navy and Marines, although this work will be relevant to other military branches. In turn we examine the following: historical perspectives on chaplaincy in both the U.S. Navy and the VA; how religion and spirituality may affect mental health and coping of active-duty personnel and veterans; how military involvement may affect religious and spiritual life; the roles of religion and spirituality in dealing with the unique demands of life-threatening combat experiences, particularly the possible role of spirituality as a buffer to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and as a resource for positive adaptation; and spiritually based interventions for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. We briefly discuss how spiritual and mental health care providers may experience challenges to their own spiritual well-being. In conclusion, we identify key areas for progress and make recommendations for ways to advance knowledge and practice in the area of military service and spirituality.