Facing Military Moral Injury
Reclaiming Meaning, Connection, and Moral Well-Being
For some veterans, wrestling with feelings of despair and questioning why life feels so overwhelming may not mean that something is broken, but rather that something deeply human is at work—their moral compass. These feelings can stem from military moral injury, a profound form of suffering that arises when deeply held values and beliefs are challenged by one’s service-related experiences.
Military moral injury can leave veterans and service members grappling with fractured relationships, a loss of purpose, and a sense of guilt. This session will delve into the roots of moral injury, its far-reaching impact on individuals and their loved ones, and the pathways to recovery. Join us as we explore how veterans are reclaiming their sense of self, rebuilding meaningful connections, and finding renewed hope on their journeys toward moral health.
About the Speaker
Kelly Denton-Borhaug, Ph.D., is a professor at Moravian University specializing in religion, ethics, peace, and justice. Her work, inspired by the aftermath of 9/11, critically examines the intersections of religion, state violence, and U.S. war culture. Her 2022 book, And Then Your Soul is Gone: Moral Injury and U.S. War-Culture, sheds light on the crisis of military moral injury. Currently, she is working on a new book, A Burning Spark of Conscience: Military Veterans Living with Moral Injury, and Their Journeys of Recovery and Renewed Hope, which explores veterans' visions of moral recovery and hope.
What You'll Gain
This Event is Open To
This event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.
About EmpowerEd
EmpowerEd offers expert-led, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information, practical tools, and trusted resources.
Most sessions are followed by an optional peer support event, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect, connect, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar.
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Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.
