New Survey Shows a Civilian-Military Perception Gap: It’s About More Than Bravery
A new survey from Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is exploring the civilian-military divide – revealing civilians’ perception of veterans stands in stark contrast to how veterans view themselves.
- The most common words civilians use to describe veterans are courageous/brave (27%) and hero/heroic (13%). Yet, only a fraction of veterans (2% and 1%) would use those words to describe themselves.
- Veterans instead opt for terms that reflect values such as proud (17%), patriotic (10%) and honorable (10%.)
Additionally, when asked how well civilians understand veterans, two-thirds (67%) of veterans said not at all or a little. Less than half (45%) of civilians believe they understand veterans extremely/very/or somewhat well.
These findings highlight a deeper civilian-military divide and calls for a broader recognition of the diverse qualities that define veterans’ contributions. The data sheds light on the opportunity to better understand and honor veterans. Not only should we recognize veterans for their courage, but also for their profound sense of service and responsibility.
“Although I deployed 3 times, I would not characterize myself as courageous or heroic. I did my due diligence and helped in ways others would in the same situation.” – Jennifer, Air Force Veteran
Why is this important?
When civilians primarily perceive veterans as “courageous” or “brave,” they may inadvertently overlook the deeper values that veterans hold dear:
- Pride reflects a sense of accomplishment and dedication to their duty.
- Patriotism embodies their deep commitment to our country and its ideals.
- Honor represents their adherence to a code of ethics and integrity.
Recognizing these deeper values can lead to a greater appreciation for their sacrifices and the principles they continue to uphold.
“Honestly, [being called brave or heroic] is something that is appreciated but not deserved. I believe those who are truly heroic are my brothers and sisters that gave their lives for this country.” – Casey, Army Veteran
Think Beyond Brave
This Veterans Day, we encourage you to think Beyond Brave to recognize the array of qualities that define veterans’ service. By doing so, we aim to foster more meaningful connections with and support for veterans, ensuring they feel valued and understood in our communities. How can we better understand those who have served?
“Military members are often brave but also so much more – like other humans they are complex and multidimensional” – David, Air Force Veteran
Veterans and civilians agree on the top three ways to improve understanding about veterans:
- Two-thirds of veterans (66%) say the top way that civilians can improve their understanding about veterans is to talk to veterans or ask them about their service.
- Over half (57%) of veterans say civilians should educate themselves about military service.
- Over half (54%) of veterans say civilians should read, watch or listen to stories about veterans.
Clearly, there is a divide between veterans and civilians, highlighting the need for greater understanding among civilians. Enhancing this awareness will enable us to more profoundly appreciate those who have served.
Next Steps:
1.) Find resources to improve your knowledge of and show appreciation for veterans this Veterans Day at coheneveteransnetwork.org/veteransday.
2.) Will you go Beyond Brave? While veterans are brave, they are also so much more! How would you describe veterans in one word? Contribute to our Beyond Brave word cloud to help us promote a broader view of the unique qualities and strengths of our veterans.
The CVN Civilian-Military Divide Survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Cohen Veterans Network and included 3,059 American adults aged 18 or older who participated in an online survey between October 8 – 10, 2024. Results were weighted to Census targets for education, age/gender, race/ethnicity, region, household income, and propensity to be online were adjusted where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.