Resilience in the Military: The Double-Edged Sword of Military Culture

Abstract

The military organizational culture influences service members through the use of artifacts, values, and underlying assumptions. Among the explicit and implicit messages conveyed in military culture is the idea that resilience is paramount for individual and unit success. While the emphasis on resilience helps build military-relevant skills, these same skills can both help and hinder individuals as they transition back to civilian life. Awareness of how these resilience skills need to be adapted in civilian life can help individuals and providers reframe what otherwise could be regarded as maladaptive behaviors and attitudes.