#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
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Civil Affairs
Civil Affairs (CA) units help military commanders by working with civil authorities and civilian populations in the commanders’ areas of operation to lessen the impact of military operations during peace, contingency operations, and declared war. CA forces support activities of both conventional and special-operations forces and can assist and support the civil administration in the area of operations. CA soldiers are culturally oriented linguists, and may be tasked with providing functional expertise for foreign internal defense operations, unconventional warfare operations, and direct action missions.
Civil Affairs (CA) units help military commanders by working with civil authorities and civilian populations in the commanders’ areas of operation to lessen the impact of military operations during peace, contingency operations, and declared war. CA forces support activities of both conventional and special-operations forces and can assist and support the civil administration in the area of operations. CA soldiers are culturally oriented linguists, and may be tasked with providing functional expertise for foreign internal defense operations, unconventional warfare operations, and direct action missions.
Combat Veteran
One who deployed to and served in a combat zone and received a Combat Action Badge or Ribbon. Because modern wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan are “360 degree battlefields,” everyone deployed could find themselves in a combat role, and even those who don’t officially qualify as a combat veteran might’ve seen combat.
One who deployed to and served in a combat zone and received a Combat Action Badge or Ribbon. Because modern wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan are “360 degree battlefields,” everyone deployed could find themselves in a combat role, and even those who don’t officially qualify as a combat veteran might’ve seen combat.
Deployment
Moving troops or equipment into position for military action, which can occur both internationally and stateside.
Moving troops or equipment into position for military action, which can occur both internationally and stateside.
Dishonorable Discharge
This is the most punitive of all military discharges and is given as the result of a court-martial. Desertion, murder, fraud, and other crimes performed in uniform can result in court-martial proceedings that lead to a dishonorable discharge. No military benefits or future military service is possible with a military discharge characterized as Dishonorable. Contrary to popular belief there are not only the two most well-known discharges characterized as Honorable and Dishonorable; there are many more. See here.
This is the most punitive of all military discharges and is given as the result of a court-martial. Desertion, murder, fraud, and other crimes performed in uniform can result in court-martial proceedings that lead to a dishonorable discharge. No military benefits or future military service is possible with a military discharge characterized as Dishonorable. Contrary to popular belief there are not only the two most well-known discharges characterized as Honorable and Dishonorable; there are many more. See here.
Generational Trauma
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
G.I. Bill
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, but the term "G.I. Bill" is still used to refer to programs created to assist some of the U.S. military veterans. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 further expanded benefits, providing veterans with funding for the full cost of any public college in their state. The G.I. Bill was also modified through the passage of the Forever G.I. Bill in 2017 and is housed within the VA Benefits department, one of three departments within the VA.
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, but the term "G.I. Bill" is still used to refer to programs created to assist some of the U.S. military veterans. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 further expanded benefits, providing veterans with funding for the full cost of any public college in their state. The G.I. Bill was also modified through the passage of the Forever G.I. Bill in 2017 and is housed within the VA Benefits department, one of three departments within the VA.
Healthcare Disparities (For Veterans)
In 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated its Health Equity Action Plan to eliminate disparities for veterans. Goals include strengthening leadership to address disparities; increasing awareness of the significance of health disparities; improving racial and ethnic data availability and health care outcomes; and increasing health-related workforce diversity. But the VA has a long way to go. See here.
In 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated its Health Equity Action Plan to eliminate disparities for veterans. Goals include strengthening leadership to address disparities; increasing awareness of the significance of health disparities; improving racial and ethnic data availability and health care outcomes; and increasing health-related workforce diversity. But the VA has a long way to go. See here.
Military Family/MilFam: Military Family (MilFam or Mil-Fam)
The spouse, children, and extended family of service members who often move in accordance to their enlisted family's deployments.
The spouse, children, and extended family of service members who often move in accordance to their enlisted family's deployments.
Military Sexual Assault
Sexual assault in the military refers to sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority as well as instances in which the survivor is unable to consent. The definition of sexual assault is consistent with the term military sexual trauma (MST), which was coined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching within the category of sexual violence. While military sexual assault is often framed as a women’s issue, it impacts both men and women. See here and here.
Sexual assault in the military refers to sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority as well as instances in which the survivor is unable to consent. The definition of sexual assault is consistent with the term military sexual trauma (MST), which was coined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching within the category of sexual violence. While military sexual assault is often framed as a women’s issue, it impacts both men and women. See here and here.
National Guard
Part of the U.S. Reserve Component, comprising soldiers and airmen from each state and the territories of D.C., Guam (Saipan included), Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. All are also U.S. organized militia members. Most have full-time jobs while serving part-time, and all can be activated by their states’ governors and mobilized to support federal response to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Part of the U.S. Reserve Component, comprising soldiers and airmen from each state and the territories of D.C., Guam (Saipan included), Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. All are also U.S. organized militia members. Most have full-time jobs while serving part-time, and all can be activated by their states’ governors and mobilized to support federal response to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Pension
An employer-sponsored retirement plan that provides income in retirement or upon the termination of a worker's employment. Pensions are offered in both the public and private sector, though are becoming less common in the private sector. Employees receive a set income in retirement related to how long they worked at a company. Employers, not employees, fund the income. Since the 1980s, they’ve been gradually phased out and replaced with 401(k) plans.
An employer-sponsored retirement plan that provides income in retirement or upon the termination of a worker's employment. Pensions are offered in both the public and private sector, though are becoming less common in the private sector. Employees receive a set income in retirement related to how long they worked at a company. Employers, not employees, fund the income. Since the 1980s, they’ve been gradually phased out and replaced with 401(k) plans.
Protected Veteran
A protected veteran has earned status that prohibits discrimination against them and provides Affirmative Action-type requirements for certain employers. Protected veterans include: disabled veterans; veterans who served on active duty during a war, campaign, or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; veterans with an Armed Forces Service Medal “pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209)”; and recently separated veterans. Protected veteran status begins on the date of discharge or release from active duty and continues for three years afterwards. See here.
A protected veteran has earned status that prohibits discrimination against them and provides Affirmative Action-type requirements for certain employers. Protected veterans include: disabled veterans; veterans who served on active duty during a war, campaign, or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; veterans with an Armed Forces Service Medal “pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209)”; and recently separated veterans. Protected veteran status begins on the date of discharge or release from active duty and continues for three years afterwards. See here.
Reservists
Often former active-duty service members providing and maintaining trained units for active duty in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard reserve forces. Reservists are stationed near their homes and only deployed internationally if called up for active duty. They can be deployed as individuals or units (every three years, on average).
Often former active-duty service members providing and maintaining trained units for active duty in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard reserve forces. Reservists are stationed near their homes and only deployed internationally if called up for active duty. They can be deployed as individuals or units (every three years, on average).
Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
(SDoH): The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material aspects of “place,” patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes (e.g., safe and affordable housing, availability of healthy foods, toxin-free environments). How population groups experience “place” directly impacts the specific social components of SDoH (e.g., access to educational, economic, and job opportunities; public safety; language and literacy) and public components of SDoH (e.g., natural environments, built environments). See here for more details.
The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material aspects of “place,” patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live.
Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes (e.g., safe and affordable housing, availability of healthy foods, toxin-free environments). How population groups experience “place” directly impacts the specific social components of SDoH (e.g., access to educational, economic, and job opportunities; public safety; language and literacy) and public components of SDoH (e.g., natural environments, built environments). See here for more details.
Special Operations Forces
Units of armed forces that undertake covert, counterterrorist, and other specialized operations (including but not limited to Delta Force, Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, Rangers, and Marine Force Reconnaissance, among other elite units).
Units of armed forces that undertake covert, counterterrorist, and other specialized operations (including but not limited to Delta Force, Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, Rangers, and Marine Force Reconnaissance, among other elite units).
Student Veterans
Veterans who pursue higher education post-service via the G.I. Bill or tuition assistance and are more likely to be 4-8 years older than typical college-aged students, married, have children, work part- or full-time during the school year, graduate with a higher GPA, and move into a higher paying job than civilian counterparts. 1+ million veterans a year access the G.I. Bill funds for higher education, and post-9/11, are increasingly women, LGBTQIA+, more likely to be Black or Latinx, and have a disability. Two third of students are first-generation students. See here.
Veterans who pursue higher education post-service via the G.I. Bill or tuition assistance and are more likely to be 4-8 years older than typical college-aged students, married, have children, work part- or full-time during the school year, graduate with a higher GPA, and move into a higher paying job than civilian counterparts. 1+ million veterans a year access the G.I. Bill funds for higher education, and post-9/11, are increasingly women, LGBTQIA+, more likely to be Black or Latinx, and have a disability. Two third of students are first-generation students. See here.
Trauma Porn
Refers to art or media that exploits the pain, suffering, and brutalization of marginalized people for the sake of entertainment. These depictions cater to non-marginalized viewers and characters rather than exploring the experience, situation, or POV of the person(s) being victimized. These kinds of depictions are harmful for all viewers as they deny the life and livelihood of those being victimized, devaluing their existence in our communities and society, granting no opportunity for empathy and deeper understanding.
Refers to art or media that exploits the pain, suffering, and brutalization of marginalized people for the sake of entertainment. These depictions cater to non-marginalized viewers and characters rather than exploring the experience, situation, or POV of the person(s) being victimized. These kinds of depictions are harmful for all viewers as they deny the life and livelihood of those being victimized, devaluing their existence in our communities and society, granting no opportunity for empathy and deeper understanding.
U.S. Census
The U.S. Constitution mandates that America gets only one chance every 10 years to count its population. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Find more here.
The U.S. Constitution mandates that America gets only one chance every 10 years to count its population. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Find more here.
Veterans Affairs
(US Department of Veterans Affairs) A Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics across the U.S. Also charged with administering veteran benefits such as education benefits, disability compensation, pension payments, education benefits, home loan certificates, and aide and attendance benefits. Veterans Affairs has two branches: Veteran Health Administration (VHA) and Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA). The VHA oversees hospitals, clinics, and retirement homes. The VBA oversees compensation benefits, pension, death, and education benefits. The VA also encompasses the VA National Cemetery Administration, which operates national cemeteries and provides burial benefits.
(US Department of Veterans Affairs) A Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics across the U.S. Also charged with administering veteran benefits such as education benefits, disability compensation, pension payments, education benefits, home loan certificates, and aide and attendance benefits. Veterans Affairs has two branches: Veteran Health Administration (VHA) and Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA). The VHA oversees hospitals, clinics, and retirement homes. The VBA oversees compensation benefits, pension, death, and education benefits. The VA also encompasses the VA National Cemetery Administration, which operates national cemeteries and provides burial benefits.