Continual Support for Returning Veterans - Research Paper Example

Continual Support for Returning Veterans. al Affiliation This document contains a discussion of the challenges faced by returning veterans and plans in place. Veterans are the people who risked their lives serving in the military for their country in war at foreign lands. The group in United States had served in the different wars since the Second World War to the latest wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this paper, the current trend of the veterans and how they cope up in the society is described. The veterans go back to their homelands to find changed situations, some are lucky enough to have families waiting for them, while others come back to homelessness after the long service. Together with the different health problems (PTSD, TBI, and disabilities among others) that they experience, some ultimately seek ways to reduce or hide their suffering by suicide or becoming alcoholics. There are government developed programs that offer rehabilitation, education and training programs, and in support to this, the government provides financial support to the programs and veterans after service. This document also gives the statistics of veterans’ issues on health and fatality in some states. Keywords: Veterans, Soldiers, Programs, PTSD, Homeless Veterans, Alcohol and Drugs Abuse, Troops, Treatment, Rehabilitation, Training, Military Service, Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Veterans’ Affairs, Health Care Introduction After the long and loyal service to their nations, military veterans deserve proper care and treatment back home. However short the period they served in military services battling for their countries, they all risked their lives, leaving behind their families and home places, just hoping that they will come back. Many of them lost their lives and can only be commemorated, while those who survived may have shortcomings in their lives that require to be addressed. Some do not have arms, though they can think straight and perform much better in other fields. Wars will never be over, since colonization, World War I and II, some nations are still at war with one another, and the world will need such patriotic military men and women to safeguard mankind. Terrorism is the norm of the day in this modern society, but it has been there and the soldiers have been active to combat the act that risks nations and world economies. Once the soldiers or military men retire or are kept offline the duty due to physical or health issues, it should not mark the end of their productivity in life. Just like other people, they have an alternative of venturing into other jobs in the competitive market. Different countries have distinguished plans to assist their veterans after service. Current Phenomenon of Veterans Health and fatality: Health factor on the return of veterans back home is now a major concern for all. Many survive the wars but once back home integration with the society becomes difficult. The sufferings are not only on the physical injuries, but also psychological disorders. In the last one decade, United States soldiers have been out on war in Iraq and Afghanistan, to maintain peace and alleviate terrorism following the United States 2001 major attack. These veterans show a variety of behavioral health issues ranging from traumatic brain injury (TBI), major depressions, alcohol abuse, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the number of cases dealing with mental stability is higher than the number of physical injuries and fatality (Pomerantz, 2009). This situation deteriorates their health, such that they feel neglected even if they receive some benefits from the government. Some are physically disabled resulting from their service duty, which limits their capability to perform again after the military service. The Texas Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, who later died after the military service, express a high percentage number, whose deaths are attributed to suicide, toxic drug combinations, prescription drug overdose, and single motor vehicle crashes, which left the society and the government puzzled (American- Statesman investigative team, 2012). Rebel activists: This is a debatable issue, but it remains a fact in some nations that do have disgruntled veterans living in the society. Some soldiers are held as captives in battlefields, and never get return home with others at the end of the war. Their mental state is disturbed perceiving the situation as a betrayal from their country. Some cannot accept the nature of their disability, or what the governments offer them in return. These people have to compete with the existing society for survival, and in their unsatisfied state, may become terrorist activists. According to Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division, the DHS/I&A had reviewed that rightwing extremists would make efforts to recruit, and make use of the skills and expertise of the returning veterans after war (2009, p.7). This was an issue once raised in the United States, at the return of the veterans, but it was taken with hostility, as it was thought to be abusive to the military. Who is Affected? Veterans’ health: The veterans in their state have to learn how to cope with the society, and their families after the long period. The families experience a hard time too, while trying to accommodate their changes in behaviors and health illnesses. As earlier stated, those who come back home are either lucky to be well, or may experience health issues and physical disabilities. Some of them have difficulty in accepting their changed situation in health. According to Dembert (n.d, p.2), some come back, find the jobs they left behind now occupied, and lacking support, feeling more confused and depressed, after the emotional and physical struggles from combat. They may come back home to their families without arms, which is a common disability of many veterans, wounded bodies or carrying diseases in their bodies from foreign lands. Some of the militants are quite young and feel that to be a burden in their families. According to a research conducted by Rand, cognitive condition was rampant among the troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq; nearly 300000 experience PTSD or major depressions while 320,000 revealed to suffer from TBI during operation (Rand, 2010). Approximation of the 31% militants returning form Iraq and Afghanistan Figure 1. Illustration of how many veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan were affected psychologially. Adapted from about 1/3of returning service millitans report on symptoms of mental health, by Rand, 2010, Copyright 1994-2012 RAND Corporation. Family and general society: The families, wives, and husbands of the veterans have a responsibility to provide care to them, if injured and suffering after their return. It calls for patience, time, and resource deployment to ensure that they are comfortable in the society. Those veterans who suffered emotionally, physically, and socially would need the families extra effort, for their rehabilitation programs and achievements. Some children are left by their militant parents while young, only to come back when the kids are older enough to reject them. Some families have broken up for they could not manage a life alone without their partners, and others have been discouraged by the health conditions of their loved ones, which cannot cope with. The society develops loose trust in their governments for the many who die, and those who come back in suffering conditions. Most of the time, the veterans would associate better with others of their kind, rather than the society (Dumbert, n.d., p.4). Hence, families and the community feel alienated by these individuals, whose behavior can raise suspicions in the society, which does not understand whatever they are going through or thinking. Some people may have to live in fear, especially if the respective veteran was known to be harsh. Other Statistics to the Rise of the Problems Homelessness state of veterans: Some veterans leave home for service, but come back to find their partners with new families. Others went as orphans, and come back to the same situation. Not forgetting that some are single parents, who have to maintain their families after service. Economy changes and the little benefit they acquire is not enough to sustain their lives and expenses. According to the national coalition for the homeless (2012), in the United States, homeless veterans are estimated to range from 130 to 200 thousand at any one night, with many having a difficulty in paying house rents; 23 percent of the homeless group are veterans, with 47 percent having served in the Vietnam period. This group does not have enough income to purchase or rent a house, and lacks family support in their lives. The inability to facilitate cheaper and affordable housing and healthcare, also count to easily deplete the benefits they acquire from the government. Alcohol and drug abuse: This problem occurs in relation to the mental disorders of the veterans, and even most of the current militants in service. Although the consumption of illegal drugs and tobacco may have dropped among the veterans and current soldiers, abuse of use of prescription drugs and alcohol has increased over time (“Topics in brief,” 2011). They try to cover up their problems, and forget the struggle and harsh experience in war. The exposure in field wars, watching their colleagues die, and repetitive disorders adversely affect them. Some cannot get enough sleep as they stay awake most of their time, just as in wars in trauma or thinking that someone is out there after them. They therefore have to resort to alcohol and drug abuse to feel at ease. Of the tragic incidences of Texas veterans’ deaths, 47 was a result of drugs overdose or use of toxic combination of drugs, while those who crashed singly in motor vehicles were 35, with many being under the influence of alcohol, or high speed driving (American- Statesman investigative team, 2012). Suicidal cases: Some behaviors that are recurrent among the veterans lead to their death. As the number of their deaths increases day by day, it is more obvious that several of them wanted to end their lives. Wood states that at least 18 veterans commit suicide daily, while young veterans aged between 17 and 24, would be more likely to commit suicide 4 times than non veterans (2012). The combination of all those veterans who committed suicide would be a population to reconsider, but since some records cannot be accessed, those mentioned are only a fraction of the huge population. In Texas, veterans identified to commit suicide were 45, with 32 of them being below 35 years (American- Statesman investigative team, 2012, statesman.com). If this was just the case in Texas, what about the other states? Considering all the wars, ranging from World War II, Vietnam, Korean, Lebanon, Grenada, South America military invasion against drugs, to Panama and the recent Afghanistan- Iraq war, the number is much higher than available figures. Death of Texas veterans Figure 2. Distributions of death causes among Texas veteran. Adapted from breakdown of how 266 Texas veterans lost their lives, by American- Statesman Investigative team, 2012, Copyright 2012 Cox Media Group. Programs Available to Overcome the Problem Federal investment for housing: Focusing on the United States government, the department of veterans’ affairs came up with a plan to temporally finance housing programs for homeless veterans. In conjunction to departments like HUD and other programs (Grant and Per Diem, Domiciliary care for homeless veterans and Veterans industries programs), homeless veterans would receive either shelter, and 2 years transitional housing, skills through a specified program, or long term care (National coalition for the homeless, 2012). Although it is quite an effort, it still does not meet the demand of the thousands of them living in the streets. However, it is also recommended that the society combine their efforts with those of non-profit organizations, to provide accommodation to these people, since they entirely do not lack friends and remaining relatives. Rehabilitation: The United States government has made great efforts to develop rehabilitation programs through the veterans’ affairs (VA), to help those veterans struggling with drugs and alcohol issues. The Veterans Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Program is an active association that gives social, medical, vocational and rehabilitation remedy, to the eligible alcoholics, and drug affected veterans. It also offers several forms of treatment, including detoxification and mental stability care (“program description,” n.d). Medical services in rehabilitation work closely with the veterans, by offering basic physical health care, so that they regain their health much faster, after hospital treatments. Assistance from counselors ensure that veterans develop skills to cope with their health conditions, and manage their attitude as individuals, and when dealing with the society and families. They help them stabilize their mental disorders, while allowing them to develop some life skill and get empowered. Vocational rehabilitation programs act to encourage transition into a new environment of service. It enhances the ability to apply the skills learnt in military service, to other jobs in the market. The entire mission behind the rehabilitation program is to make sure that the veteran will be able to cope in the social and economic world for his future survival. Training programs: (VR&E) Vocational rehabilitation and employment program commonly referred to as Voc-Rehab, is far most the United States embraced institution that assists veterans (those with service related disabilities) in training, getting suitable jobs, maintaining them, or becoming their employers and ensuring that they lead a normal life of independence like other adults (“Vocational rehabilitation and employment,” 2012). On top of what was stated earlier above, through this program, veterans also get financial assistance for their education, and later receive jobs and training experience, how to search for jobs, and get referred to work in new environments once they are ready. Other associations working hard to assist the veterans include (BVR) blinded veterans association, United States Veteran Association (USVA), and grand army of the republic among others. Tax breaks approval for companies who hire veterans: The former United States government, under the leadership of president Obama in his 1st term, ensured they had promoted the employment of returning wounded and retired soldiers and veterans. The president signed into law, a work opportunity tax credit (WOTC) that would give companies, non-profit organizations, and other business that would hire unemployed veterans among other individuals, a tax credit ranging from 2400 to 9600 US dollars depending on the situation of the veteran, or the specified individual (Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 2012, p.1). This act is hoped to boost the economy, the life progress, and productivity of such groups of the unemployed in the society. However, there are concerns that business will favor veteran employees than other civilians, just because of the tax credit. Other initiatives to foster development in their families and secure their future, such as plans to train the veterans or their spouses to join the forces, assists veterans become physician assistants or enter into careers of heath care, accessibility of veterans gold card for extended services in career centers among other executive actions, were planned to help them enter the job market (The white house, 2011). Research on the Issue The government continues to offer more support to the veterans; more educational and training programs besides the rehabilitation and health treatment, aimed to help veterans get absorbed in the jobs market without difficulty. The (CIR) Centre for Innovation and Research began a continuing education program that tries to respond to the rapid and revolutionary needs of injured veterans (CIR, 2012). The trainings and programs that the veterans get involved in, erases the pain and suffering from the past, and gives the satisfaction in life, after the loyalty to their governments. References Afghanistan (OEF) War Veterans: Concepts and Strategies. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.strategicph.com/pdf/ReturningOIFOEFVet42306.pdf American-Statesman Investigative Team. (2012, September 29). Scores of recent Texas war veterans have died of overdoses, suicide and vehicle crashes, investigation finds. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-military/texas-war-veteran-deaths-studied/nSPJs/ CIR. (2012). Continuing Education Program. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://cir.usc.edu/cir%E2%80%99s-continuing-education-program Dembert, M. L. (n.d). Community Solutions to Help Returning Iraq (OIF) and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2012 April 26). Hire Veterans and Earn Tax Credits for Your Business. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://benefits.va.gov/vow/docs/wotc_flyer.pdf Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. (2009, May 7). (U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling National Coalition for the Homeless. (2012, February 21). Homeless Veterans. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/veterans.html Pomerantz, J. M. (2009, April 16). Surge in Mental Health Conditions in War Veterans. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://dbt.consultantlive.com/display/article/1145628/1487422 Program Description. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/307 Rand. (2012, September 16). Invisible Wounds Mental Health and Cognitive Care Needs of America’s Returning Veterans. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9336/index1.html Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf Topics in Brief: Substance Abuse among the Military, Veterans, and Their Families. (2011, April). Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/substance-abuse-among-military-veterans-their-families Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. (2012). Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/vocational-rehabilitation-and-employment.html Wood, Matt. (2012, April 27). Crunching the Numbers on the Rate of Suicide among Veterans. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://sciencelife.uchospitals.edu/2012/04/27/crunching-the-numbers-on-the-rate-of-suicide-among-veterans/ Read More