Exploring U.S. Military Veterans' Perspective on Afghan Refugee Resettlement Efforts: A Qualitative Exploration of U.S. Military Veterans Who Served in Afghanistan

Background: The sudden and divisive withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has left many veterans of the 20-year war feeling lost and uncertain. Many veterans formed strong bonds with their Afghan allies embedded within their military unit during their time in Afghanistan. The political fallout from the withdrawal has led to veterans expressing bitterness and betrayal, compounded by a lack of accountability. Additionally, there was widespread confusion and a lack of familiarity with how to assist Afghan allies. While some veterans have successfully helped their Afghan partners relocate to the U.S. or other countries, others have struggled with estrangement and dishonor. However, literature exploring the views of U.S. military veterans who served in Afghanistan on the current Afghan refugee resettlement efforts is sparse. Our study aimed to explore: (1) the personal experiences of U.S. military veterans who served in Afghanistan and (2) their perspectives on the current Afghan refugee resettlement efforts.

Methods: This study is part of an ongoing multilevel transformative mixed-method research project that used a community-based participatory research approach to examine the Afghan refugee resettlement apparatus in a midwestern region. Qualitative data were collected through five focus group discussions (FGDs) with the U.S. military veterans who served in Afghanistan (N=25). Snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants across the US. All FGDs were audio and video recorded in Zoom and transcribed verbatim using the Otter.ai transcription system. Participants represented diverse demographic strata: age (35-55 years); service time in the U.S. military (6-21 years); service time in Afghanistan (3-39 months); education levels, and gender distributions. Data analysis followed grounded theory technique—open, axial, and selective coding—using a thematic analysis approach with three coders independently analyzing the FGD transcripts. Disagreements in coding and analysis were resolved through an interactive team approach by a six-person research team.

Results: Based on Afghan Military Veterans’ life stories, findings offer unique personal and policy dimensions to inform Afghan refugee resettlement efforts across local and national settings. Findings highlighted the importance of US military veterans standing in solidarity with those who have risked their lives to support them and the need to honor the commitment toward their Afghan allies. Preliminary data analysis revealed five overarching themes: 1) Personal motivation: Supporting Afghan allies and their families; 2) Opportunities and Gaps: Formal engagement with refugee resettlement programs; 3) A Chaotic Retreat: U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan; 4) Welcoming Home: Facilitating Afghan Refugee Integration into U.S. Society and 5) From Service to Advocacy: The Prospective Roles of Veterans in Influencing Policy and Practice Outcomes for Afghan Refugees.

Conclusion: Our study highlights unique veterans’ perspectives on the Afghan resettlement issue, having served in Afghanistan and understanding the context in which the refugee crisis has emerged. They are, thus, uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the public, policymakers, and Afghan refugees. Our study offers insights to increase Afghan military veteran engagement and promote collaborative efforts with refugee resettlement agencies, the Office of Veterans Affairs, and resettled Afghan refugees to promote understanding and inclusivity in their new spaces.