Marching to the Same Beat: The Experience of Group Structure and Identity-Uncertainty Among Military Veterans in Intentional Communities

Abstract

This article examines the intersecting experiences of military veterans who have lived in intentional communities (ICs), exploring how both institutional structures impact personal identity and belonging. Drawing from Uncertainty-Reduction Theory’s concept of entitativity as well as qualitative data gathered through interviews with 32 individuals who have experienced membership in both groups, we argue that the experience of military service and life in ICs each provides a coherent group identity and structured sense of belonging that can reduce feelings of isolation and self-uncertainty. Veterans in our study reported that the diverse nature of ICs could imitate the structure and sense of belonging found in the military while allowing for greater personal agency and alignment with one’s own personal values, instead of the homogenizing values of the military. By comparing these two group experiences, especially in light of America’s ongoing loneliness epidemic, we highlight the importance of value alignment and the role of entitativity in shaping how individuals navigate life transitions. Our findings suggest that ICs may hold appeal for veterans seeking to reconstruct meaning and connection in civilian life after service, especially when traditional reintegration pathways prove inadequate.