Military and Veterans

In this follow-up to her presentation on the IPV problem in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Weeks shares her proposed solution: a family cohesion approach aimed at reducing intimate partner violence within military families. Delivered to the 628th Operations Medical Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB in March 2020, the presentation moves from identifying the problem to outlining a practical, relationship-centered path toward prevention.

Dr. Weeks shares the background data behind her Population Health Presentation on the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the U.S. Air Force, originally delivered to the 628th Operations Medical Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB in March 2020. The presentation lays out the scope and impact of DV/IPV within the Air Force community, offering a data-driven look at an issue that affects service members and their families.

This post shares a peer-reviewed research study examining the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) within a representative sample of U.S. Air Force personnel. Conducted by Foran, Slep, Heyman, and the USAF Family Advocacy Research Program and published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the study offers empirical data on how widespread IPV is within the Air Force community — a valuable resource for service members, families, and the clinicians who support them.

Dr. Tricha Weeks shares a key resource for understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) within military families: the Congressional Research Service’s December 2019 report, Military Families and Intimate Partner Violence: Background and Issues for Congress. This background document outlines the scope of IPV in the military community and the policy issues Congress has considered in response, offering a valuable reference for service members, families, and the professionals who support them.

In this Course of Action (CoA) briefing delivered to the 628th Operations Medical Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB in July 2020, Dr. Weeks outlines a suggested response for addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) within the U.S. Air Force. Building on her earlier work identifying the scope of the problem and proposing a family cohesion approach, this briefing translates that groundwork into actionable next steps for the military community.

Uncertainty and prolonged stress — whether from deployment, transition, or, as in this piece, the pandemic — can take a real toll on service members and their families. In this reflection, originally written for Joint Base Charleston, Dr. Tricha Weeks (then serving as a Captain with the 628th Medical Group) explores how military families can build psychological strength, stay connected, and remain mission ready even amid disruption. She also speaks to the stigma that often keeps service members from seeking help, and the role leaders play in creating a culture where reaching out is met with support rather than judgment.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line) is available 24/7.