Introduction to the Aging Military Veterans Special Section

In the United States, military service encompasses the five branches of the Armed Forces and includes Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard forces. Military service for many veterans occurred during wartime, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Older military veterans—those aged 65 and older—comprise an estimated 43% of the 22 million living veterans in the United States (National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, 2015). Veterans are defined as individuals who have served in active military service and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. These veterans are eligible for health benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015).