What Veterans Need is a Purpose
I am constantly reminded of how difficult it was getting out of the Air Force after 20 years. My clients and students who have recently gotten out are a stark reminder of where I was when I retired. Like myself when I retired, newer veterans are struggling to work through reintegration back to becoming a civilian. Some veterans wander around for months or years without a purpose and losing hope of finding a purpose once the separate from the military. The lack of purpose can lead to multiple mental health and societal issues down the road. Billy is one of those guys who is struggling to re-integrate back into being a civilian.
Billy was in the Army with a tour in Iraq during the “surge”, his unit was extended from a 9 to 15-month tour because they were already in theatre, had combat experience, and knowledge of the local area. While on the extended tour Billy’s convoy hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) injuring several of his friends, killing one, and causing Billy lasting injuries. Billy injury is an unseen one, he suffers from the signature injury of our two longest wars Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Billy completed his tour and served his hitch in the Army, once he returned to the United States and became a civilian he started fighting other battles, one with society, one with the Veterans Administration (VA) and one with his PTSD. The realization of the tough times to come was seen after Billy had gotten out of the Army and found that the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) seminars had given him a false since of security. There were not hundreds of businesses waiting in line to hire him, especially since Billy had PTSD, struggled in crowds, and trust issues.
The TAP seminars are a good attempt to help military members re-integrate back into the civilian society. The problem for Billy was, there were not the hundreds of jobs and waiting for him because of his skills as the seminars attest. Billy had trouble finding a job, let alone another career. So often businesses say they want to hire veterans, but they fear veterans having PTSD. Since PTSD and veterans go hand and hand thanks to the VA controlling most of the PTSD information and research, some veterans struggle to find careers. The career outlook has gotten better for veterans since the improved economy, but some veterans still struggle to re-integrate and find a purpose.
Going to college is one-way veterans are working toward getting their careers and life back on track after the military. Since the beginning of the post 9/11 GI bill many veterans have attended college. College can offer a bridge between military and civilian status while deciding on a career, allowing them to explore options, and giving them a purpose. Veterans can gather the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience while in college to supplement their military skills. Many veterans are inclined to seek out service connected careers that require college or additional training like nurses, firefighters, police officers, teachers, or therapist, for the purpose they so desperately seek. The collegiate experience also allows veterans to gain confidence, experience, knowledge and insight to start their new careers or their own business. There are times when college is not the answer for some veterans, they find other ways to gain a since of purpose. Veterans have the skills with or without college to do many careers they want, if society will give them the opportunity.
Veterans can struggle when returning to civilian culture because of societies ways of looking at them. Veterans can be placed on a pedestal, or seen as being broken or damaged by civilians, either way veterans can be set up for failure. Being put on a pedestal can make veterans feel uncomfortable or give them a since of entitlement. Labeling veterans as broken or damaged hurts their chance of becoming successful and can psychologically place them in a victim role, leading to other issues.
One of the ways veterans can keep from falling into the role of victim is by volunteering. Veterans who are said to be 100% total and permanently disabled by the VA can feel like they are broken. They can find a purpose in volunteering their time to help others. What society needs to do to help our veterans find their purpose to keep them from falling into depression, leading them down the road to victimhood, or worse suicide. As a member of society, the best thing we can do for our veterans is give them the chance to have a good career and not just a job. It is irrelevant if they have school, open their own business, work for someone else, or volunteer, every veteran needs a purpose. Billy has completed his collegiate career and has a bachelors degree, he now has a good job which can lead to a career, and most of all, he has a purpose.
For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.