Understanding the Factors; Contributing to Exservicemen's Involvement in Organized Crime

Abstract

This paper critically analyses the psychological, sociological and skill-based reasons that lead ex-servicemen to take part in an organized crime. Psychologically, this causes post-service adjustment difficulties, including PTSD, depression, hypervigilance, and emotional regulation problems, whereas the Violent Veteran Model postulates that combat trauma leads to aggression, impulsivity, and risk-taking. Self-Medication Hypothesis also describes the way in which certain veterans resort to drugs to overcome trauma, becoming involved in criminal drug networks as a result of it. Isolation and disenfranchisement are aggravated by sociologically by unemployment, weaker family ties, and the disappearance of military comradeship. Social reintegration studies indicate that lack of stable jobs or adjusting to civilian life may force veterans into deviant subcultures which provide identity and economic gain. Being attractive, organized crime groups tend to reflect military hierarchy, discipline, and loyalty. The reasons involve skill-based factors as military training provides veterans with tactical, strategic, and weapon-related skills which can be abused. The findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary assistance in dealing with both mental health and economic security in addition to identity rebuilding to provide safer reintegration.