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Jennifer Dane: Watching War and Violence Through a Screen

Working in a Threat Vulnerability Cell for Latin America was where Jennifer Dane first experienced war and violence through a screen. Watching individuals being killed left behind vicarious trauma for Jennifer, especially when she personalized the individuals. She talks about the struggles she faced during this time, especially the impact watching these actions had on her mental health, as well as questioning whether she was doing harm or good.

When facing trauma, veterans struggle with PTSD, depression, suicide, and the concept of moral conflict within. The growing number of veterans seeking mental health services suggest a lot of veterans are experiencing moral injury while on the job.

"I always remember them saying is 'One person's terrorist, is another person's freedom fighter,' and just thinking like, 'Am I on the right side of history on this?'"

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Veterans Against War Jason Higgins
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Jennifer Dane Madison Cholewa
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Jennifer Dane: Watching War and Violence Through A Screen, Crossing the Military-Civilian Divide Jennifer Dane, "Crossing the Military Civilian Divide," interviewed by Dr. Jason A. Higgins, Jan. 20, 2023, Washington D.C.. "Crossing the Military-Civilian Divide" project is part of a 4-VA Collaborative research project by Dr. Jason A. Higgins, postdoctoral fellow in digital humanities, and Andre Taylor, oral historian at the College of William and Mary. Special thanks to our three research assistants Leena Alsayab, Madison Cholewa, and Gabrielle Wells, who are undergraduate students and recent graduates of Virginia Tech.