Challenges of Transitioning Out of the Military for Post 9/11 Veterans

Since 2013, the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families (CIR) at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work has conducted studies of military populations in various areas throughout the United States to identify common challenges that veterans face as they transition out of the military. Although individual populations may fare better with specific challenges, overall trends show that moving into civilian life continues to be difficult regardless of location. The following chart highlights common challenges faced by post-9/11 veterans in the four locations CIR studied.

Percentage of People Who Responded Affirmatively

Transition: Adjusting to life was difficult

San Francisco: 70.6%
Orange County: 61.1%
Los Angeles: 68%
Chicago: 60.5%

Employment: Did not have a job when he/she left the military

San Francisco: 80.6%
Orange County: 73.6%
Los Angeles: 79.5%
Chicago: 65.2%

Finances: Gotten into financial trouble

San Francisco: 46.5%
Orange County: 28%
Los Angeles: 37.5%
Chicago: 31.5%

Housing: Did not have a permanent place to live when he/she left the military

San Francisco: 64.5%
Orange County: 35.4%
Los Angeles: 40.5%
Chicago: 42.7%

Mental Health: Screened positive for probable PTSD

San Francisco: 53.3%
Orange County: 43.9%
Los Angeles: 45.8%
Chicago: 39.8%

Substance Use: Screened positive for probable alcohol consumption problem

San Francisco: 57.8%
Orange County: 34.3%
Los Angeles: 24.9%
Chicago: 31.2%

Self-Harm: Planned to attempt suicide

San Francisco: 29.8%
Orange County: 16.8%
Los Angeles: 9.7%
Chicago: 16.1%

Treatment: At risk for suicide or considered attempting suicide but did not seek treatment

San Francisco: 45.7%
Orange County: 48.6%
Los Angeles: 36.8%
Chicago: 23.9%

Physical Health: Screened positive for physical health problems but did not seek help

Orange County: 45.3%
Los Angeles: 27.9%
Chicago: 21.3%

Note:

San Francisco study was conducted in 2016-17 and encompassed veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Chicago study was conducted in 2015-16 and encompassed veterans in Cook, DuPage, Will and Lake counties.
Orange County study was conducted in 2014.
Los Angeles study was conducted in 2013 and encompassed Los Angeles County.

Resources:

The State of the American Veteran: The San Francisco Veterans Study
The State of the American Veteran: The Chicagoland Veterans Study
The State of the American Veteran: The Orange County Veterans Study
The State of the American Veteran: The Los Angeles County Veterans Study

USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Phone Number: 877-700-4679
Email Address: sswvac@msw.usc.edu

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