Beginning in 2001, the Canadian Armed Forces participated in six operations in Afghanistan, resulting in about 42,000 Canadian military members being deployed.  

What is this Research About?

Similar to studies that have examined Canadian military personnel who served in the Gulf War, this research looks at the potential impacts of service in Afghanistan. This report looks at characteristics of Canadian military members and Veterans who were deployed to Afghanistan and at their use of disability benefits. The goal is to create a profile of those who served in Afghanistan to support strategic planning and further research.

What did the Researchers Do?

Researchers reviewed the literature related to Canadian military members who served in Afghanistan, gathered historical data about their participation in disability benefit programs, linked administrative information from the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and analyzed the 2010 Survey on Transition to Civilian Life for Afghanistan Veterans. 

What did the Researchers Find?

At the time of this study, about 42,000 Canadian military personnel deployed to Afghanistan over a 12-year period beginning in 2001:

• 4% of this cohort were reported as casualties and 13% were in receipt of disability benefits relating to their service in Afghanistan
• The number of military members and Veterans with post-Korean War service in receipt of VAC benefits has tripled since 2001. Afghanistan service only accounted for 10% of this increase. However, many who deployed to Afghanistan were still serving and therefore, though still eligible,  may not have yet applied for benefits.

According to the 2010 Survey on Transition to Civilian Life, compared other Veteran respondents, Veterans with service in Afghanistan were younger and more likely to:

• be male
• be married
• have released as non-commissioned members
• report a difficult adjustment to civilian life
• have poorer mental health.
• participate in VAC disability benefits
• report service-related psychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions
• have higher disability assessments than other post-Korean War clients

Because their rates of difficult adjustment and poor mental health are higher than other Veterans, it is likely their future health status and needs will also differ.

Source

MacLean MB, Campbell L, O’Connor T, VanTil L, Poirier A, Sudom K, Dursun S, Pedlar D. Profile of Personnel Deployed to Afghanistan. Charlottetown (PE): Veterans Affairs Canada Research Directorate; 2015 Dec 14. 20p. Technical Report. http://publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.808246&sl=0