Community Service and Voting Among Veterans and Nonveterans Using a National Sample of College Undergraduates

Abstract

Research studies have shown an association between military service and later civic involvement, largely defined as political activities. The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study 2008 ( N = 95,650) was used to compare veteran and nonveteran students on community service activities and voting. Proportionately more nonveteran than veteran students reported community service (i.e., working with children both in educational and noneducational settings and fund-raising). Nonveteran students also were more likely to have participated in community service in last 12 months. The two groups did not differ in average hours spent on community service per month (16 hr). Veterans compared to nonveterans were far more likely to have registered to vote (78% vs. 59%) and to have voted (90% vs. 82%). When gender, age, race, and income were considered in comparisons, previous differences were not statistically different. Results are discussed relative to past proposals and research regarding veterans’ civic engagement.

Dynamic Intersection of Military and Society

“…China's retired officers have organized (occupying government offices, petitions, marches, law suits) to protest a poorly run pension system with delays and serious errors, corruption, and poor post-service employment opportunities (O'Brien and Diamant 2015). There is also evidence that military service can lead to greater civic involvement such as community service (Griffith 2019).…”

How Afghanistan Influenced the Content of Armed Forces & Society: An Editor’s Reflection

“… 9. See Humensky et al (2013), Walker (2013), Neill-Harris et al (2016), Cooper et al (2018), Flores (2017), Bailey et al (2019), Van Slyke and Armstrong (2020), and Griffith (2020). …”