The Military as a Bridging Environment in Criminal Careers: Differential Outcomes of the Military Experience

Abstract

Little research has examined the relationship between military service and criminal behavior, and what few studies exist have included a basic comparison of a group of men with military service and a group without service. This strategy fails to consider how the military experience may differ for different individuals. This study examines whether the relationship between military service and criminal behavior depends on sociodemographic characteristics. Results from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth suggest that, during the first few years of the all-volunteer force, some groups do appear to become involved in more violent offending after entering the military. On the other hand, military service may reduce the risk of violence for some groups, such as African Americans. Thus, the influence of military service on later offending does appear to depend on individual characteristics. In addition, this was a unique time in military history, and results may vary by historical period.

Impact of pre-enlistment antisocial behaviour on behavioural outcomes among UK military personnel

“…For others, it may disrupt their life course with negative consequences such as problems with marriages, employment, and increased aggression. For those already on an antisocial path, the military may merely provide another setting for the continuation of previous behaviour [3]. The impact of an experience on an individual's behaviour is significantly influenced by their personal characteristics.…”

Military Service and Life Chances in Contemporary China

“…Many studies have examined its impact on post-service socioeconomic achievements (e.g., Angrist and Krueger 1994;Browning, Lopreato, and Poston 1973;Elder 1987;Fredland and Little 1985) and a range of other social outcomes, such as marriage (e.g., Call and Teachman 1996;Teachman 2007), criminal behavior (e.g., Bouffard 2005;Sampson and Laub 1996), and health (e.g., Teachman 2011). The findings from these studies are inconclusive overall.…”

Military Service in the Life Course

“…Generally speaking, this literature views service in one of two ways: as a general experience and as exposure to combat. Research on military service as a general experience explores how service affects veterans' socioeconomic and criminal careers (e.g., Angrist 1990, Bouffard 2005. By contrast, studies of combat exposure investigate the consequences of combat for physical and mental health outcomes and for marital stability (e.g., Gimbel & Booth 1994, Fontana & Rosenheck 1998.…”