How a War a Continent Away Upends the Lives of those in the Military and the Veteran Community

2022-04-15T13:10:27-04:00

Most Americans favor the actions the United States has taken so far in reaction to the war in Ukraine. This has included joining countries around the world in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, which invaded the Eastern European nation of 44 million on Feb. 24, 2022, and providing lethal and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and to neighboring countries, many of which are teaming with a flood of war-ravaged refugees.

By a lopsided margin, Americans want leaders to do even more to prevent further regional aggression by Russia. A recent Monmouth University poll found that nearly 70% of Americans back sending additional U.S. service members to Europe to stop a similar Russian invasion of other countries friendly to the United States and its allies.

This is true despite all Americans having to deal with the inflationary fallout of the conflict, which has pushed up prices for gas, food and other items. And the American people are contributing tax dollars to support Ukraine — including $2 billion in military equipment and $1 billion in humanitarian assistance, among other resources. In addition, this country is welcoming 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Still, a tiny fraction of Americans say they’re willing to commit troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Even so, for the less than 1% of Americans serving in the military and their families and for the broader Veteran community, a major war breaking out abroad can upend daily life, especially in a state of heightened military readiness. These added concerns may be less apparent to Americans without a direct connection to the military, living in a country whose capital is nearly 5,000 miles — and a vast ocean — away from Kyiv.

Resources to cope with the evolving situation

As the war continues, here’s how service members and Veterans — and their families — may be specifically affected by the major war in Europe, and how to find help to deal with the evolving situation:

1. Increased deployments to Europe. There are now 100,000 U.S. forces defending North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) territory in Europe, which is 40,000 more than the 60,000 service personnel who were there when the war was started around five weeks ago.

All indications are that more service personnel may be called to serve.

“Based off the dynamic that exists today, that number (deployed in Europe) could change, and I suspect that it probably will,” Gen. Tod D. Wolters, head of U.S. European Command, told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on March 29. “And in which direction will be determined based off of conditions in the environment.” He added that “my suspicion is we’re going to still need more,” according to a report by Stars and Stripes.

Russian’s action and Ukraine’s location — straddling Russian-aligned territory and several countries that are part of NATO — is sparking a general reassessment of the U.S. military’s force posture in theater, according to U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) spokesman John F. Kirby.

Kirby told Pentagon reporters on March 30 that given “what Russia has done over the last month and the ways in which the security environment on the European continent have changed … you can bet that senior leadership at (DOD) are going to take a look at our European posture going forward.”

Resources: Prepare for deployment by reviewing Military OneSource’s deployment resources at https://planmydeployment.militaryonesource.mil/pre-deployment and at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/deployment.

2. Greater stress on military families. For the military family community — emerging from a global pandemic amid continued economic strain and dealing with still-fresh memories of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq — the Ukraine conflict contributes to life’s many uncertainties.

“It’s such an example of what our lives are like as military families: You never know what’s coming,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, during a mid-March virtual event called The Military Family Experience 2022: Back to Basics. “We are often in the position where, like our service members, we have to screw our courage to the sticking place, and this is one of those times.”

“This deployment and conflict in Europe could go on for some time, and it’s not happening in a vacuum,” she added. “We’re looking at Ukraine happening during a time that already had an awful lot of challenges for people who have to be ready for their country.”

Resources: Here’s where military families can turn to for assistance, whether they’re here, stationed abroad or preparing to deploy:

Military OneSource: No matter where you are in the world, use this 24/7 service to get referred to service branch consultants trained to speak about military-related issues. The is a resource open to family members of a service member on active duty, in the National Guard or in the reserves (including the Coast Guard). It covers no-cost, confidential support from trained professionals in areas such as child care, education and career advice, financial counseling, relocation services and health care for service members. Details: Visit http://www.MilitaryOneSource.mil to access a live chat or call [login to see] to talk to a consultant.

Caregiver Resource Directory (CRD): Although this directory is aimed at military caregivers, military families may find helpful resources within its 344 pages for dealing with deployment-related issues. The directory includes government and nonprofit resources based nationally, statewide and locally. Details: Get the digital directory at https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/Portals/113/Caregiver%20Directory_2021%20EditionOCT.pdf?ver=4WwuwdaTKw07dJV_kpJBtQ%3d%3d or request hard copies of the CRD by emailing [login to see] .

3. Heightened emotions and mental health challenges. Frustration, sadness, helplessness and grief. These are common emotions that Veterans may experience during news and social media coverage of Ukraine, according to the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“If you served in Europe or the invasion of Ukraine reminds you of your past service, you may have a range of emotions,” according to the center.

These reactions are normal, the center notes, even if they become distressing in the short run. It’s just important to watch that these natural reactions don’t become overwhelming, sustained and harmful to the ability to perform daily activities, the center advises.

Resources: Here are a few places Veterans can go to get the mental health support they may need and to find the camaraderie they may want during this time:

Counseling and care: Use the hashtag #VetResources to find “Check In” resources, advice and information and locate additional links to many more resources at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/100963/mental-health-check. Mental health providers who serve Veterans can get Ukraine-specific tips for caring for Veterans at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/specific/pro_guide_veterans_reactions.asp.

Crisis response: Connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night by calling [login to see] , then selecting 1 (or TTY: [login to see] ), texting 838255 or starting a confidential chat at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat.

Make the Connection: Talk with other Veterans and share stories of service at https://www.maketheconnection.net.

RallyPoint: Join RallyPoint, one of the largest online social and military networking communities. It’s available for Veterans and service members of any era and military spouses, family members, survivors and supporters of those in uniform. Use it to build a professional network, share stories of determination in the face of adversity, explore educational and career opportunities, and ask questions of those with common bonds and experiences. Start at https://www.rallypoint.com.

Learn more

Poll: Bipartisan Support for Russia Sanctions: https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_us_031622

RallyPoint: 5 Mental Health Resources for Spouses and Partners of Service Members and Veterans with PTSD: https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/5-mental-health-resources-for-spouses-and-partners-of-service-members-and-veterans-with-ptsd

RallyPoint: War in Ukraine: A Hellish Situation for Civilians: https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/war-in-ukraine-a-hellish-situation-for-civilians

Preparing for Military Deployment | Plan My Deployment

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Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 3:02 PM

2022-04-21T15:02:53-04:00

"...the American people are contributing tax dollars to support Ukraine..." No, the politicians are contributing the billions in tax dollars.
Crazy that only 4 months ago, before Russia's "minor incursion," only 30% approved of sending aid or weapons to Ukraine.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 21 at 2022 7:28 PM

2022-04-21T19:28:18-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 25 at 2022 9:24 PM

2022-04-25T21:24:28-04:00

It bothers me we started earnestly sending weapons after the war started. We are or have sent them armored vehicles and howitzers. They could have used them at the start of the war. I believe Ukraine needs lots of long-range fires if they want to have a chance to beat the Russians as they mass in the Donbas Region. If the Ukrainians have enough effective long-range fires, they can probably kill Russian logistics. The impact will be conscripts without requisite food, supplies, fuel, and bullets. The conscripts will not be in a position to fight like tigers, and their leadership already sucks balls.

Response by SP6 Ben Gordolion made Apr 27 at 2022 5:17 AM

2022-04-27T05:17:32-04:00

Great post! Thank you

Response by SGT Wayne Dunn made May 20 at 2022 10:54 AM

2022-05-20T10:54:12-04:00

Good Information