The Socio-Cultural Study of Veterans Re-Entering Civilian Society

1791 Words8 Pages
The Socio-Cultural Study of Veterans Re-Entering Civilian Society Donald R. Balis Sociology 290-831 at Joliet Junior College November 30, 2012 Abstract The purpose of this case study was to bring awareness to the daily struggles that veterans face upon their return and integration back into civilian society once their tour is over. This research gives a voice to the millions of veterans who’ve had to go through this process. Emerging in this study were three key themes and they are: Relationships, Employment, and Filling the Void. These themes are linked and intertwined with each other and holistically represent the experience for veterans attempting to find normalcy in their lives beyond the battlefield. Three Marines who were attached to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from 1994 - 1998 shared their experiences. The first action that Cpl. Don Balis, Cpl. Brett Tompkins, and LCpl. Victor Caban would encounter was in Albania in early 1997. They had all trained together for this moment and were on the Forward Command Element Team. This team was designed to fly into hostile territory and make an assessment on how bad the situation was. If things looked very fragile and dangerous, then an “order for a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation or ‘NEO’ would be executed.” (Estes, 1996) Operation Silver Wake was initiated in response to a rapidly deteriorating situation in Tirana, Albania, on March 14, 1997. The mission involved the evacuation of noncombatants from Albania to ensure the safety of American citizens and designated third country nationals. U.S. Naval forces from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) deployed and immediately began to evacuate citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Tirana by CH-47 and CH-53 helicopter. Within two hours of receiving the mission

More about The Socio-Cultural Study of Veterans Re-Entering Civilian Society

Open Document