The high unemployment rate is affecting the veteran population. As they return from their tours of duty and return there are little to no job prospects. Lubbock Online
The job market tends to be even tougher on the younger veterans than the other ones. For all veterans the unemployment rate is at 8.6 percent and for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is 10.6 percent. The current unemployment rate is 9.6 percent.
I would say as far as transition goes, it was hard because I was use to a rank structure. A structure you dont get in civilian life. And if you try to implement one, then you are too hard. I started going to College after 6 years in the Army. That is how I got into Security. It was the closest thing I could relate too. Then in 2004, I started with BW and majority of everyone was prior service. It was almost like being back in again. Now I am back int he Federal System as a Federal Officer, so it is like coming full circle. . E Bodhi Pea
I served in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman I spent time on both the Blue side and the Green side. I was one of the lucky ones and used my time serving my country getting a education to better my life as a civilian. As anyone who served in the armed forces will tell you is that the transition back into civilian life is more difficult than one would think. Some of us embraced the change and moved on with our lives, some of us struggled to find their place in the civilian sector. Some, like myself turned what they had learned or if you will what they were trained to do into a career. While others served and returned to civilian life with little more than life experience. Either way I believe having served in the armed forces I and all of my brothers and sisters are better people for doing so. Squid
Returning to the non-structured life of the civilian side was a little disconcerting as I had very little in the way of life experience. I could respond to emergencies of; life, limb and extreme danger but knew nothing of getting an apartment, going to school, finding a doctor or dentist. Paying bills and not having a stable income was troubling at first, more so was getting acquainted with receiving care at the local VA clinic.
Putting my troubles aside I had to re-learn how to communicate with non-military personnel and not look for things that were going to explode. I eventually settled on a career path that made the most sense in my known skill sets and abilities. I chose to pursue education in that direction and gained education tuition support and graduated with Honors as a Certified Protection Specialist from one of the three professional academies in the US.
The future isn’t an unknown and insurmountable obstacle as it once seemed when I got out. It’s not easy or pretty but hard work and effort, the things I had no experience in became just another bump in the road. Matt
Almost 40% of veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan seek treatment for PTSD and other mental health issues. Veterans today seek help early after the return to civilian life, unlike their predecessors, who are now coming to the realization that they needed treatment for what they saw and did during their service. Behavioral Health Central
Veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are being sought for a new post traumatic stress disorder study. This study is being conducted at The University of Connecticut Health Center and the study will compare two treatments for post traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Julian Ford with the health center’s Department of Psychiatry says the first type of treatment involves working through troubling memories of war. The other does not involve delving into those memories; it focuses on learning skills to manage those emotions associated with painful events and memories. For more information call 860-679-2214. Ozarks First
With this year’s midterm election we now have fewer veterans in congress. Only 27 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans ran for office this mid-term. 18 were Republicans; 9 were Democrats. NPR
In these midterm elections the first Iraq veteran elected to congress lost his seat. This may not be of benefit to veterans, the less support in congress, the less people they have to fight for them here at home. Veteran’s Today
According to recent study conducted at the San Francisco VA Medical Center of 330,000 veterans who served between 2002 and 2008 there is a clear divergence between male and female mental health diagnoses. Female veterans are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, while men are more prone to post traumatic stress disorder And/or alcohol abuse. MedicineNet
It is an era where more women are enlisting in the military. It is expected that the military will be 14% female by 2014. Women still see less combat then men which may account for fewer reports of mental illness. The military is still struggling to effectively prevent and treat PTSD and other mental health related issues and address the differences in symptoms and vulnerability between men and women. AolNews
The authors also said it was important to understand how differences between men and women might affect mental health outcomes. “Gender differences are important to consider as the Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense continue to expand and strengthen programs to evaluate and provide care for a new generation of returning veterans,” they added. Businessweek
Does your Senator or Representative support our troops? Who in Washington get’s an A when it comes to veterans issues? The IAVA or rather The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America can answer that question for you.
94 sitting officials receive an A and out of those 94, 91 are democrats and only 3 were Republican. Of the 154 officials who receive a D or an F, 142 were Republican and 12 were democrat. The Examiner
The IAVA has designed a scoring system for both the house and the senate. Each member receives one point when they vote in line with the IAVA and the issues that are important to this political action committee. If you would like to see how your representative or senator rates just check in with the IAVA .
During this election season we should take action and vote for those who have protected and served our country diligently. They fight with honor, now let’s honor them by supporting the Washington Officials that support veterans issues.
I recently got the pleasure to sit down and speak with two of our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and discuss how the transition to civilian life has gone and what they’re doing now. Both vets were only willing to speak with me furtively.
I start with veteran A. “I Spent time in the United States Air Force as well as in the United States Army”. Duggan: “and how long were you in for?” Veteran A: “I am currently still in at this time in the National Guard. To make it a total of seven years and two and half months.” Duggan: “During your service did you receive any injuries or disabilities?” Veteran A: ” at one point in time I did hurt my back, yes? I have not received any disability at this time, kind of nervous because back injuries are very touchy in the military.” Duggan:” so you’re saying that you would be discharged if you claimed your back injury?” Veteran A: “I can’t say that, but it is likely. I take Motrin and lots of water…”
Next is veteran B
Duggan:” How long have you been out of the military?” Veteran B: “just under two years, my actual date of leave was suppose to be July of 09″. Duggan:” since your discharge from the military how has the transition to civilian life been for you?” Veteran B: “It has not been easy, it’s not easy pretty much as long as I can remember spending everyday in a uniform the transition from a military regimented schedule to the civilian world where you get up when you want to get up you feel lost. Nothing quite replicates the military. It takes a lot and before I fully transitioned back to civilian life it took about six months.”
As with the majority of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan the veterans I spoke with are in their twenties, and have returned to depressed economy. What awaits theses veterans is unknown the hope is they will not be forgotten in a bureaucratic jungle.
Suicide has become a growing problem with veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Between 2005 and 2009, more than 1,100 members of the armed services have committed suicide. WSIL
In the last month, four soldiers have committed suicide at Fort Hood alone, with a grand total of 14 in the last year at Fort Hood alone. This years suicide rate is four times higher at Fort Hood than the national average. New York Times
Outreach is essential to prevent suicide among our veterans. The stigma of seeking help when in need must be removed if suicide amongst veterans is to diminish. According to Colonel Saum”Stigma is a toxic threat to our service members, veterans and families receiving the care they need”. Airforce News
If you or a veteran you know are in need of help please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-talk. Suicide Prevention Lifeline
This week I would like to take a different turn in my postings. There is another side of veterans returning home, many are returning to their families in body bags.
There is a little church in Westboro Kansas; they have been protesting our veteran’s funerals. These young men died serving our country and their families expect some respect to privacy during their funerals. This little church invades these funerals with signs saying things like “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “God Killed Your Sons”. I would like to pose this question; do some take the freedom of speech to far? Washington Post
One family thought so. The Snyder family was holding a funeral for their slain son back in 2006 when the Westboro Church decide to picket the funeral, now not only did they picket the funeral but they made derogatory statements on their website godhatesfags.com . The Snyder family had enough and sued the church. The jury awarded him 11 million dollars in damages, a judge reduced it to 5 million. The Westboro church had the judgment reversed in a federal court. The Snyder family has now taken their lawsuit to the Supreme Court.
Even though what the Westboro church and their Pastor Phelps has done is deplorable, does he deserve the right to make such derogatory statements. There have been some strange bed fellows made during this lawsuit. The Phelps are backed not only by conservatives, liberals along with every major media organization. None of these groups may agree with what Phelps and his church are saying but it is still his constitutional right. NPR
It seems the only way to protect our fallen soldier’s families are with counter protests. At Arlington cemetery on Monday October 4th, the Westboro church attempted to hold a protest, they we’re blocked by a large procession of motorcycle’s most of whom were veterans. These bikers parked in front of the protesters and revved their engines so that the family would not have to listen to their derogatory statements about their son. Washington Post
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