Importance performance analysis of therapeutic and community based recreation programs for military service members and their supporters

With the War on Terror ongoing, service men and women continue to return home with physical and invisible wounds. As a nation protected, it is our job to care for the brave soldiers upon their return. Many programs offer reintegration services and support, with therapeutic and outdoor recreation programs providing a non-pharmaceutical approach to healing and reintegration. Recent studies of recreation programs for service members have found an increase in psychological wellbeing and a decrease in PTSD symptoms. Research on the benefits of recreation programs for service members has been encouraging, but limited in identifying what factors of the program are cause for positive outcomes. This case study examines the importance of program factors in regards to facility/location, staff/volunteers, and program as a whole, while simultaneously obtaining performance feedback. Results suggest service members and their supporters deem all factors presented as important.