The Sentiments of Croatian Homeland War Veterans Toward Wartime Comrades, Families, and Society in General, 30 Years after the War

Abstract

The reintegration of veterans into civil society after military
experience presents a challenge for individuals and governments
alike, with social ties and institutional support being key
factors in facilitating this transition. To gain insight into how
the Croatian Homeland War veterans coped with these
challenges 30 years after the war, we conducted semistructured
focus groups (N = 17). We explored how connected
they feel to the different segments of society, such as
their families, comrades, other Homeland War participants,
and other citizens of Croatia and Europe, and the quality of
communication with relevant institutions and decision-makers.
The findings attest to lasting feelings of cohesion among
veterans who have shared their warpath and experiences, the
importance of veteran organisations, and the supportive effect
of their families. Corrupt policies, resulting in a hyperinflated
number of declared veterans who haven't been subject to
wartime experiences, hinder a broader connection between
veterans. The institutions mainly provide adequate support.