Using Veteran Critical Theory to Understand the Experiences of Student Veterans: The Role of Buddies and Camaraderie Along the Road of Higher Education

Abstract:Veterans are a growing presence on higher education campuses around the country, and as they become more ubiquitous, there is an increasing need to better understand this unique population of students. Veteran critical theory (VCT) addresses the necessity of understanding the student veteran experience by focusing on their narratives and counternarratives while pushing for a generative model of practice and inquiry. We report on data from a study of student veterans’ experiences of higher education, with a particular focus on the importance of friendships and camaraderie with other student veterans in their ongoing educational journeys. The project was conducted as a thematic narrative analysis using journey maps and a single interview, which was analyzed using VCT. We found that friendships, camaraderie, and purpose are important factors in the educational journeys of student veterans. We conclude with a discussion of how our findings contribute to the elaboration of VCT.