From Soldier to Civilian, with Help from the Humanities

 

The returning warrior needs to heal more than his mind and body. He needs to heal his soul.
– Karl Marlantes, author of Matterhorn and “What It Is Like to Go to War” from Standing Down

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, about 2.5 million members of all armed forces units have been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq since 2001 to fight wars, with more than a third completing more than one deployment. Beginning in January, Humanities Washington launched a pilot program called Talking Service to provide a voice to these vets, buoyed by the humanities.

The program is designed to help veterans reflect on their past experiences, current concerns, and aspirations for the future though reading and discussing powerful literature. The program is rooted in the humanities through the use of an anthology of works authored by famous writers titled Standing Down:  From Warrior to Civilian.

“Talking Service will encourage dialogue for a new generation of veterans as they transition back into civilian life,” said Humanities Washington Executive Director Julie Ziegler.

The journey into military service is different for each soldier, but one fact holds true for all who serve: the experience is like no other. It is an experience that is rarely—if ever—understood by civilians or loved ones who have not answered the call of duty. Depending on the impact of what the soldier faced, it may not be mentioned at all, particularly if they saw combat.

“The transition from military to civilian life is difficult for most veterans,” said Donald Whitfield, editor of Standing Down and vice president of the Great Books Foundation. “After several years living in a highly regimented, often dangerous environment, veterans re-entering the workforce, colleges, and universities, and their community of family and friends can face immense challenges.”

Reading and discussion are at the heart of Talking Service groups, which were originally created by the Great Books Foundation and implemented in partnership with the New York Council for the Humanities. Now held nationally, the groups give veterans opportunities to explore the ideas of authors who have thought long and hard about the military experience. In turn, the groups give participants a model for thinking and speaking about their own story.

Groups meet for 90 minutes in a series of six to eight meetings for conversations led by a specially trained local facilitator. Participants read texts drawn from the Standing Down anthology in advance to support the group discussions and overall participation. The anthology features 44 selections, including works of fiction, poetry, essays, memoirs, and historical documents by Leo Tolstoy, Ernest Hemingway, Karl Marlantes, and many others.  Each selection includes discussion questions and a thematic guide for 15 action-oriented topics (caretaking, combat, confronting the enemy, grieving, and homecoming) and five separate conflicts in American history, beginning with the Civil War and concluding with passages about wars fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Standing Down contains outstanding writings by some of the world’s greatest authors and were selected to prompt lively and searching discussions among veterans as they reflect on their own experiences,” said Whitfield, who also often leads Talking Service discussions around the country.

Support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) makes the Talking Service groups possible. Humanities Washington will launch four groups in Tacoma and Spokane at three college campuses serving a high number of returning veterans:  Pierce College, Spokane Community College, and Spokane Falls Community College. Talking Service discussions will focus on creating community and will be delivered in partnership with veterans centers at each campus.

From his experience as a group leader in other states, Whitfield has seen understanding and compassion among veterans in the groups, which typically include veterans of all ages. In his opinion, participation within the group plays an even bigger role.

“Talking Service is important both for the answers it yields and the questions it raises,” Whitfield said. “A good question is never put to rest.  It’s something that becomes an impetus to a questioning way of life, and that’s exactly what we do with Talking Service—help instill the habits of mind that serve veterans well as they make their way in the world.”

The Talking Service peer-to-peer group model gives vets the opportunity to connect and socialize with each other while mirroring and building strong sustaining bonds. When vets leave the groups, they feel heard after they have had a chance to share.

“Our vision for this initial pilot is to increase stability and the transition process for veterans,” said Julie Ziegler.

Talking Service holds both promise and opportunity to understand the veteran perspective and the values that sustain them through combat, and to reflect on our own values.