Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Richard DeParis

Abstract

In the past 8 years, at least 4 lone wolf terrorists have targeted military bases or recruiting centers in the United States and research suggests attack on the US military are increasing globally. The problem was that research had not addressed the lived experiences of survivors of lone wolf attacks or how they could inform procedures regarding a sense of security for military men and women. The purpose of this research was to establish a need to address threats to the security of the military from these attacks, to provide a rich description of survivors' experiences of the attack at Fort Hood, and to identify suggestions for improving military personnel's sense of security while on base. Using the community based approach to public health, the central research question asked how the lived experiences of survivors of the attack at Fort Hood could lead to an increased sense of security on base. This phenomenological research provided a detailed description of survivors' experiences and their reflections on improving military personnel's sense of security. The population consisted of the 31 soldiers injured in the attack. A purposeful sample was used to recruit 5 participants for researcher-constructed interviews. I analyzed data and used NVivo 11 for organization. The study revealed high levels of stress, hyperawareness, and significant negative changes in the lives of these soldiers. The finding suggest an increased show of force by police throughout the base, a designated office to anonymously report suspicious activity, and more training to help soldiers cope with the experiences of combat related trauma. The implications for social change include an increased sense of security for military personnel, better training for dealing with combat related trauma, and deterrents for future lone wolf attacks.

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