Background: Many countries face increasing physical and mental health problems from war. We aimed to clarify the characteristics and experiences of active duty U.S. military personnel who sought services outside the military. Methods: This multi-method study included 233 clients who obtained care from a nationwide network of volunteer civilian practitioners. Intake and follow-up interviews captured demographic characteristics, health and mental health status, and reasons for seeking civilian rather than military care. Regression analyses identified predictors of psychiatric disorders, suicidality, and absence without leave (AWOL). Qualitative analyses of clients’ narratives clarified their experiences and reasons for seeking care. Findings: Depression (72%), post-traumatic stress disorder (62%), alcohol use disorder (27%), and panic disorder (25%) were the most common diagnoses. Forty-eight percent of clients reported suicidal ideation. Combat trauma predicted PTSD (OR=8.84, 95% CI 1.66–47.12, p=0.01) and AWOL (OR=3.85, 95% CI 1.14–12.94, p=0.03). Non-combat trauma predicted panic disorder (OR=3.64, 95% CI 1.29–10.23, p=0.01). Geographical region was associated with generalized anxiety disorder (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49–0·99, p=.05). Clients’ narrative themes included fear of reprisal, mistrust of command, inadequate training, insufficient and unresponsive services, deception in recruitment, voluntary enlistment remorse, guilt, preexisting mental health disorders, family and household challenges, military sexual trauma, and gender identity issues. Discussion: Our work clarifies unmet needs for services among active duty military personnel, limitations of military programs, and the importance of civilian services not linked to military goals. Such efforts warrant consideration as we confront the injuries inflicted by war and consider non-military alternatives to conflict resolution.