El difícil camino de la paz. Avatares de la implementación de los acuerdos Farc-Ep y gobierno colombiano en Icononzo (Tolima)

Resumen: Con la firma del Acuerdo Final para la Terminación del Conflicto y la Construcción de una Paz Estable y Duradera entre el Gobierno colombiano y la guerrilla de las FARC-EP, en noviembre de 2016, se establecieron una serie de acuerdos sobre diferentes puntos, entre ellos el establecimiento de unas zonas de concentración en varias regiones del país, en las cuales los excombatientes harían su tránsito a la vida civil. Para entender las dinámicas de lo sucedido en este importante proceso, se analiza el caso del espacio territorial de capacitación y reincorporación (ETCR) Antonio Nariño, en Icononzo (Tolima), el más cercano a Bogotá. Luego de un trabajo de campo de dos años, en el que se realizaron entrevistas con los habitantes de la región de Sumapaz, lo mismo que con quienes están alrededor del proceso, se plantea una perspectiva de análisis de corte etnográfico sobre el tema. Esto como paradigma de lo sucedido en el país, concretamente en el Sumapaz, una región en la cual tanto la guerra como la paz se han vivido desde hace más de setenta años, buscando aportar a la comprensión del conflicto armado interno en Colombia. The Difficult Course to Peace. Avatars of the Implementation of the Farc - Colombian Government Peace Accords in Icononzo (Tolima) Abstract: With the signing of the Peace Accords between the Colombian government and the Farc-Ep guerrilla in 2016, concentration zones were established in various regions of the country, in which ex-combatants would make their transition to civilian life. To understand the dynamics of what happened in this important process, the case of the ETCR Antonio Nariño in Icononzo (Tolima), the closest to Bogotá, is analyzed. As part of a two-year fieldwork, in which I conducted multiple interviews with the habitants of the Sumapaz region, as well as with those around the process, I propose a ethnographical analysis to this question. Such approach is proposed as a case study to understand the challenges provoked with the implementation of the peace accords in Colombia. In so doing, this chapter seeks to contribute to the understanding the internal armed conflict in this country while contextualizing such analysis in a region in which both war and peace have been lived for more than seventy years. Keywords: Colombia, Peace Accords, Internal Armed Conflict, Government-Farc, Sumapaz.

An interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring the transition from army to civilian life.

This thesis presents an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) exploring the transition from army to civilian life. The research purpose was to explore the experiences of ex-army personnel of their transition from army to civilian life by building an in-depth picture of each participant’s experience of transitioning from the army to civilian life, as well as an understanding of how they felt about their time in the army. The following research questions were used to guide the research, Question 1: How do ex-army personnel perceive their experience of their transition from military to civilian life? Question 2: How do ex-army personnel adjust to a civilian lifestyle? Question 3: How do ex-army personnel make sense of their identity during their transition to civilian lifestyle? Question 4: How do ex-army personnel perceive support could be further developed or introduced, to facilitate individuals in the transition from military to civilian life? The thesis addressed three research aims, Aim 1: to examine how ex-army personnel perceive their experience of their transition from military to civilian life, Aim 2: to explore how ex-army personnel adjust to a civilian lifestyle, Aim 3: to develop an interpretation of the best ways in which to support ex-army personnel during their transition to civilian life. The three aims were achieved through the use of an IPA approach to the analysis of 9 interviews. Participants were individuals who had served in the army and experienced the transition from army to civilian life first hand. Nine master themes were developed as a result of the analysis. The nine master themes identified were: Identity, Control, Personality, Perception of the army, Wellbeing, Civilian lifestyle, Civilian connection, Army life, and Support. In its unique contribution to knowledge, this thesis builds upon the existing quantitative research on the topic of the transition from army to civilian life creating further depth and understanding. It explores how individuals perceive their transition experience and how they made meaning of this in their reflections. In addition to this, it uses the examination and evaluation of the transition experience to develop an interpretation of how ex-army personnel may be better supported in their transition to civilian life.

Education as a Pathway to Help Job Searching Military Veterans’ Transition to Civilian Life

The transition from military to civilian life can be a difficult process. Two distinct samples of working United States military veterans were studied: combat (n = 56) and non-combat (n=43). The goal of this study was to investigate the specific role of furthering one’s education as a pathway to help job-searching military veterans in their transition to civilian life. Across both samples, veterans who were actively job searching had higher burnout and general exhaustion than veterans not actively searching. There was partial support for finding veterans who were actively job searching to be currently furthering their education, and for those currently furthering their education to perceive higher occupational alternatives. High percentages in both samples were currently going to school to further their education. The importance of education as a pathway to support military veterans making a successful transition to civilian life is discussed.

Awareness and Availment of Pension Benefits of Military Pensioners in Bacolod City

Pension is a necessity and a vital investment to ensure financial security after retirement. Primary pensioners need to transition to civilian life and the surviving spouses of deceased veterans facing widowhood. Maximizing the availment of pension benefits will alleviate the financial distress of military pensioners and promote life satisfaction after many years in the military service. The study was conducted to determine the awareness and availment of the pension benefits of military pensioners and the challenges they have encountered in availing of these benefits. The findings of this study were utilized to prepare an action plan to cater better to the concerns of primary pensioners and surviving spouse beneficiaries.

Reducing Barriers to Post-9/11 Veterans’ Use of Programs and Services as They Transition to Civilian Life

Background - Numerous programs exist to support veterans in their transitions to civilian life. Programs are offered by a host of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Veterans report encountering many barriers to program participation. This was the first study to identify barrier reduction strategies offered by programs that post-9/11 veterans report using, determine which strategies veterans use and value, and to examine veteran characteristics that impact their odds of using programs that offer barrier reduction strategies. Method - This study reflects findings from the first wave of data collection of The Veterans Metrics Initiative, a longitudinal study examining the military-to-civilian reintegration of post-9/11 veterans. Veterans were asked to indicate which programs they had used. The websites of these programs were coded for the barrier reduction components. Veterans also indicated which barrier reduction components they found most helpful in meeting their reintegration goals. Results - Of 9,566 veterans who participated in Wave 1 data collection, 84% reported using a program that offered at least one barrier reduction component. Barrier reduction components included tangible supports (e.g., scholarships, cash), increased access to programs, decreased stigma, and encouraged motivation to change. Although only 4% of programs that were used by veterans focused on helping them obtain Veterans Administration benefits, nearly 60% of veterans reported that this component was helpful in reaching their goals. Access assistance to other resources and supports was also reported as a helpful barrier reduction component. For instance, approximately 20% of veterans nominated programs that offered transportation. The study also found evidence of a misalignment between the kinds of barrier reduction components veterans valued and those which programs offered. Veterans from the most junior enlisted ranks, who are at most risk, were less likely than those from other ranks to use barrier reduction components. Conclusions – Despite the evidence that barrier reduction components enhance access to programs and contribute to program sustainability, many programs used by post-9/11 veterans do not offer them. There is also a misalignment between the barrier reduction strategies veterans value and the strategies offered by programs. Veteran serving organizations should increasingly implement barrier reduction strategies that veterans value.