Books or Boots: A Case Study of the Dependents of the Deployed

In response to Dr. Jill Biden’s address at the 2016 AERA annual meeting to study and serve military families, we present a preliminary study of the dependents in military families currently attending college. This case study includes a collection of interviews with college students at a four-year comprehensive university who experienced parental deployment of one or more parent during childhood. Interviews consisted of questions about childhood and educational experiences. Transcripts from interviews with six females with varying experiences have been coded by three separate researchers using thematic analysis. Using self-determination theory to understand academic motivation and identification with the military, we have labeled the three cases as introjected, identified, and integrated. Other themes emerged across cases, such as differences across branches, deployment time and length, restrictions to study abroad, a heightened socio-emotional awareness, yet a sense of isolation from others, lack of “military friendly” campus resources, and increased financial distress. Data collection and analyses of more cases to better understand this special population is ongoing. Preliminary results will be presented in conjunction with implications for university policy and possible interventions to better serve college students with these experiences