Key findings about America’s military veterans
For many veterans who served in combat, their experiences strengthened them personally but made the transition to civilian life difficult.
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How veterans and non-veterans fare in the U.S. job market
Veterans of prime working age generally fare at least as well as non-veterans in the U.S. job market, though there are differences in the work they do.
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The changing profile of the U.S. military: Smaller in size, more diverse, more women in leadership
Today’s active duty military is smaller and more racially and ethnically diverse than in previous generations. More women are officers.
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The American Veteran Experience and the Post-9/11 Generation
What it means to be a military veteran in the United States is being shaped by a new generation of service members. About one-in-five veterans today served on active duty after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Their collective experiences – from deployment to combat to the transition back to civilian life – are markedly different from those who served in previous eras.
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Majorities of U.S. veterans, public say the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not worth fighting
About two-thirds of U.S. veterans say the war in Iraq was not worth fighting, while 58% say the same of the war in Afghanistan.
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Fewer than a third of countries currently have a military draft; most exclude women
The U.S. is one of 23 countries where the military draft is authorized but not currently implemented. An additional 60 have some form of an active conscription program.
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Large Majorities in Both Parties Say NATO Is Good for the U.S.
As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) celebrates its 70th anniversary this month, Americans overwhelmingly say being a member of NATO is beneficial for the United States.
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Americans divided over decision to withdraw from Syria
Overall, 43% of Americans say withdrawing American troops from Syria would be the right decision, while 45% say it would not.
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After 17 years of war in Afghanistan, more say U.S. has failed than succeeded in achieving its goals
About half of U.S. adults say the country’s mission in Afghanistan has mostly failed in achieving its goals, while about a third say it has mostly succeeded.
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Trust in the military exceeds trust in other institutions in Western Europe and U.S.
Large majorities in eight Western European countries trust the military, ranging from 84% in France to 66% in Spain. Similarly, eight-in-ten Americans have confidence in the military.
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