Posted on Aug 4, 2015
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So the background on this question. Two weeks ago, a business that works with the nonprofit I help run reached out to us because a Veteran reached out to them looking for a loan to help cover some bills. The company, a financial planning company, doesn't give personal loans and really didn't have information to give to this Veteran but didn't want to just tell him "no". So they reached out to us as a resource that could help this Veteran out.
Per our standard operating procedures, we vet all Veterans before asking our community partners to help. This is to protect everyone involved. The last thing I want to do is to waste the time on someone that may not qualify for these certain programs. So I asked the person at the company to CC me on an email to the Veteran, introducing me personally and the organization. From there, I could vet the Veteran and connect him with resources.
Well, two weeks later, there is no reply to that email. One would thing that if someone needed help and took the time to write several emails to the company that they would have jumped on the chance to get their situation squared away.
So here is my question, do you feel that some Veterans are less likely to call upon other Veterans? Is it a fear of being judged or labeled?
Per our standard operating procedures, we vet all Veterans before asking our community partners to help. This is to protect everyone involved. The last thing I want to do is to waste the time on someone that may not qualify for these certain programs. So I asked the person at the company to CC me on an email to the Veteran, introducing me personally and the organization. From there, I could vet the Veteran and connect him with resources.
Well, two weeks later, there is no reply to that email. One would thing that if someone needed help and took the time to write several emails to the company that they would have jumped on the chance to get their situation squared away.
So here is my question, do you feel that some Veterans are less likely to call upon other Veterans? Is it a fear of being judged or labeled?
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Support
Transition Support
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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I truly don't think so. We have a bond that no civilian can understand. It doesn;t matter what branch we always seem to help one another out when there is a need. I believe that veterans are more likely to ask another vet for help than a civilian because of this.
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SGT Ben Keen
I sure hope so SCPO David Lockwood. Like you said, I think the connection we have, this unspoken bond, is critical to ensure that you are truly getting the help you need. I guess I'm just frustrated in the silence after he was very vocal with the non-veteran at the company.
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I found just the opposite to be true. Most vets know what other vets are experiencing and are willing to lend a hand.
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1SG Michael Blount
SGT Ben Keen - Oh HELL yah. In fact, one of my SEAL buddies helped me out of a really bad place back about a year ago when I was having a particularly bad bout with PTSD. It flares up every now and again. My buddy had some suggestions - they worked and -- voila! Here I am: Little Miss Sunshine again
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MSgt (Join to see)
I also would think veterans would be more apt to look to other veterans for help. The understanding is much better between them.
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1SG Michael Blount
MSgt (Join to see) - In most cases, there's already a bond between veterans, regardless of service or deployment. An issue is an issue, and since we've all been there before - to one extent or another - we're well positioned to help each other out.
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SGT Ben Keen My wife also works for a non profit that assists veterans. Based on our conversations I would say that veterans that are truly in need don't care where the help comes from. That being said, I think that veterans hit enough roadblocks in their term of service and afterwards with the VA, that they tend to fade fast at the first sign of friction (since all agencies have policies that have to be followed to cut a check this is not uncommon). If he was able to swallow his pride enough to ask for help, I don't think he was afraid of being judged by his peers. Keep up the good fight...you can't win them all. Remember to say, after your next success, "I made a difference to THAT one."
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