Martial Culture in the Lifeways of US Servicemembers and Veterans: Military Psychology, Ancient Mythology, and Re-Souling Service

This book develops a new concept―“martial culture”―with which to problematize and reframe thinking surrounding the lifeways of US servicemembers, by exploring the values, beliefs, norms, and rituals they are exposed to and practice during military service.

By reuniting the two concepts of servicemember and veteran into one overarching cultural model, the author shows how the concept of martial culture can be used to acknowledge the unbroken, holistic, multidimensional life cycle of an individual. Adopting a comparative mythological approach and drawing upon Roman, Navajo, Hindu, Norse, and Japanese myths that speak to the lived experiences of servicemembers, veterans, and their families, it weaves together ancient voices and contemporary servicemember experiential existences to offer new insight into the psychological experience of servicemembers.

It will be of strong interest to psychologists who seek to develop their treatment of veterans by understanding the unique lifeway of service without judgement and offering a balanced, integrated spiritual connection, while pushing back against both inaccurate assumptions of martial lifeways and the influences of industrialized secular approaches to service. It will also appeal to those within the fields of military sociology and psychology.

Endorsements:

“Dr. Hogan’s book reminds those in martial culture of their deep roots in myth, and that entry into this world is forever life changing. For those in civilian culture, it provides us a glimpse into the universality of martial culture and why veterans culturally struggle to reintegrate into a society they do not fully belong to.”

Michael Wm. Marks, Executive Director of the One Tree Learning Institute, former Professor of Practice in Psychology and Program Director of the Supportive Education for Returning Veterans at the University of Arizona, former Lead Psychologist and Evidence Based Practices Coordinator at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, co-founder of Vietnam Veterans of Montana

“Beautifully written by a scholar-practitioner, Martial Culture in the Lifeways of US Servicemembers and Veterans is a groundbreaking book offering a profound elucidation of the values, beliefs, and rituals of martial culture through the lens of comparative mythology. This study restores the connection between martial and civilian culture highlighting the values a martial lifeway gifts to the larger society.”

Patrick J. Mahaffey, Professor Emeritus, Pacifica Graduate Institute, author of “Integrative Spirituality: Religious Pluralism, Individuation, and Awakening”