Back From Iraq... And Suddenly Out On The Streets

I hope this isn't as bad as this story makes it out to be. However, in general, we are not doing near enough for our veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. We cannot make the same mistakes with the VA and state services that we did in Vietnam. And this is a failure of all the politicians, Democrats and Republicans, and of many of us who are not making this a big issue (i'm guilty of it as well at times)

 

I'm sorry for them, but it sounds as if some expect to come home and be given a job without even looking. There are plenty of jobs available. Whether the pay is great or not might be questioned, but there are jobs. And plus, these guys are used to getting paid little money for lots of work, so what is it they expect? Lastly, they all have college fund money unless they didn't pay into the system and then in that case, there current situation is because of THEIR neglect.

Call me hard hearted, but some of these guys are probably the same guys that did piss poor jobs while in. When I got out after the Persian Gulf War I had tons of help from the Army to help me make the transition.

And what does this mean: "And for many, there is a gap of months, sometimes years, between when military benefits end and veterans benefits begin."

What benefits? Unless you were injured, you have no benefits other than perhaps, again, your college fund money which you can only receive while going to school.

The MSM is looking for hard cases and trying to make something out of nothing. You are always going to have those few veterans that are going to end up on the streets because, most likely, they were on the streets before they joined. If they were truly that worried about "get'n by" they could have re-enlisted and opted for an MOS that would have taken'em out of the danger zone.

 

I do believe this is blown way out of porportion. I am deeply involved with returning units and personnel and I can tell you that the circumstance are not as dire as the article makes them out to be. There are some who are having difficulty, but it is not because help is not available; there are many, many programs available (some MANDATORY) to help the returning soldiers and their families with ALL aspects; including finding jobs and homes.

 

I agree completely, especially about the part that some are trying to make something out of nothing. The guy in the article left the Army without even having a job offer to begin with....I suspect any civilian who left their current job without having at least a job offer would encounter some difficulty as well. The fact that the article states "dozens" are experiencing difficulties speaks volumes about what the status REALLY is. Then the article clouds the facts by switching to percentages instead of using real numbers.

 

? for you, these reservists with jobs... what kind of rights do they have in regards to their employers? does it vary state by state?

my mother goes to the VA all the time (she's a wounded veteran) and has been saying lately that it is a whole lot busier with new vets coming in, and that "its starting to get messy" in how people are being treated (not the surgery but getting appointments, getting time with nurses, specialists, etc etc)

i've heard similar from corpsmen in the navy who are on shore duty

i think the system is going to be overburdened in the coming years, but that's one young idiot's opinion only.

 

There is no question that the VA is probably getting a bit chaotic; it is a rusty old beuraucracy that needs to gear up and get with the program; they really have been rather complacent of late...and its not all due to funding. I am not saying things could not be better; they could be but it is not as bad as some of the media and some of these organizations make it out to be. Don't forget that a lot of these organizations NEED a crisis so they can get more funding, etc.

Reservists have a right to their old job...it is Federal law. there are some cases where an employer has refused to take back a returning reservist, but believe me, the Feds make life VERY difficult for them and once the local media gets involved, that employer usually has a BIG change of heart.

 

know how he feels. not due to the military, but the old x wife. came back from korea with the clothes on my back and a duffle bag. and that was it!

 

Okay, when I got out, just after Persian Gulf War I, they gave me access to a database of jobs that isn't available to those who are not Vets. There are councillors that talk to you before you go, it is part of your outprocessing that you must visit them, they give you addresses and insure that you have a place to actually go.

That this guy didn't listen or take advantage of these things is foolish, that he would attempt to blame the military for his troubles afterward is beyond the pale.

 

You are quite right about needing a crisis to get more funding, etc etc.

The VA is a mess I don't envy anyone being in charge of, but somehow, someway, it must be reformed and revitilized. Someone like Nancy Reagan would do wonders in an effort like that, someone able to be cuthroat but understanding at the same time. Jobs will be lost, jobs will be gained, places will be shut down, places will open. At this point though, I think they're just spinning around in circles as far as reform and even repair go.

 

I was never in the military but I still have an opinion. I think it is alot to expect that a person can just fit back into a "normal life" after being in a war. It is one of the overlooked costs, a human element, of war. One day you are all powerfull and walk the streets in armor with a big gun (probably scared shitless) and witness atrocities that stay with you your whole life, and then its assumed you can return to a previous place and time.
I know the experience has to be put aside so you can get on with your life, but you will remain forever changed by it, for some the burden is too great and the result is they do become disfunctional, unable to take care of themselves, in extreme cases they become a danger to themselves and others.
I would prefer to avoid the warfare because this human cost is so tragic. I think this speaks to alternative means (embargoes, inspections, negotiations, whatever,) to resolve our differences.