pg 283-295 American Camino (Spencer Mottley)

 The first half or so of chapter seven, Veterans, Healing and Long-Distance Hikeing discusses how long

distance hikeing trips on the application trail serve as transformation periods for vertains retireing from

military service. These hikeing trips serve as transformation periods from military to civilan life due to the

fact they provide preticapents with clear goals, a group setting that often involves teamwork and

fellowship, a routine and a clear purpose. All elements that are ingrained into military service. While at

the same time providing preticpents with the solace and support they need to recover from the tramatic

experiences they have endured. In addition to this Dr Riddick also explains why intentional transformation

experiences like this one are necessary in the moderen context. He explains that it's due several factors

with one being that moderen modes of transportation make it possible to get from the military base back to

your house in a matter of a few hours and at most a day or two. While this sounds great it cuts the time

needed for a vetrain to reflect and evaluate upon his or her own experence, other factors are the fact

moderen life and careers often lack the degree of purpose experienced while serveing in the military and

the solitraryness of moderen life which sharply contrast to the tight knit soical structure formed in the

military. These trips seek to provide participants with reflection time, purpose and a tight knit soical

structure. After reading this text I was left with a question, How should vertarns structure their cilvian

lives after the hikeing trip is over? My response would be to find a high impact career where you know

you are makeing a difference like being a firefighter or a police officer. On top of this I would also

recommend haveing a regular routine to add structure back into your life, and joining some type of club or

organization for an additional sense of belonging. 



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