This research study delves into the lived experiences of eight female survivors of military sexual trauma using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This qualitative methodology was employed to understand the intricacies of how these survivors perceived and made sense of their internal worlds following their trauma. From the interviews, six key themes emerged: the initial indoctrination during basic training, the optimistic decision to join the military for a better life, the perception of women as government property, the dehumanizing impact of military sexual trauma, the subsequent loss of enthusiasm and sense of being broken, and the willful ignorance of the military towards these issues. The study applies Marvin Hurvich’s annihilation anxiety theory to explain how these traumatic experiences were internalized both intrapsychically and interpersonally. The findings offer valuable insights for social work and mental health professionals into the long-term effects of military sexual trauma on survivorsweiterlesen