Foreword

Why a journal of military social work?

Military social work is a field at the intersection of mission, vulnerability and institutional responsibility. Looking beyond the uniform and operational imperatives, military culture and environment generate complex social realities that require professional intervention, critical reflection and evidence-based policies — for military personnel as well as for veterans, reservists, the wounded or war invalids and their families.

Romania, as a NATO member state, has deployed more than 50,000 military personnel in various theaters of operations. In the missions carried out in Afghanistan, the Romanian army participated with over 32,000 soldiers, 27 of whom lost their lives in combat actions, and over 200 were wounded. Some of the military personnel who participated in these missions presented symptoms specific to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

The effects of PTSD and TBI are not limited to the individual alone, but may extend to the family as well, affecting relationships, daily functioning and psychosocial well-being. Poor communication, reduced intimacy, emotional withdrawal, suicide attempts, conflicts and the risk of domestic violence or divorce can significantly erode family quality of life. The analysis of the challenges generated by such traumas requires taking into account — unequivocally — not only the veteran’s symptomatology, but also family dynamics, support resources and resilience mechanisms.

Through Law no. 168/2020, the Romanian state officially recognises the existence of post-traumatic stress syndrome and other comorbid psychiatric conditions as occupational diseases of personnel participating in military missions, defined as follows:

„[…] disorders acquired by participating personnel as a result of and due to participation in military actions, missions and operations, which trigger a significant disturbance in the person’s thinking, emotional regulation or behaviour, reflecting a dysfunction associated with emotional distress or significant disability in professional, social or family functioning.” Law no. 168/2020, art. 2, lit. i

In this context, the Romanian Journal of Military Social Work aims to become a space for dialogue between research, practice and professional training, dedicated to understanding and supporting military personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.

The appearance of the journal is an expression of the maturation of a field that, in recent years, has undergone progressive development in the academic sphere: in October 2024, the first post-university course in military social work in the country was launched at the West University of Timișoara, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work — Department of Social Work, followed in October 2025 by the first master’s programme in military social work.

We hope that this journal will contribute to the formation and consolidation of a responsible professional community, capable of adequately responding to the social challenges generated by military life — before, during and after the mission.

University Lecturer and Jurist Constantin Oprina

Founder and Deputy Editor (civilian side)
Revista Română de Asistență Socială Militară (RRASM)
Romanian Journal of Military Social Work (RJMSW)