What are we doing to reach out to our veterans?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:47:59 -0500

He died not too far from post....did we fail him, what could we have done to help him in his last days? What can we do to help other veterans from following the same footsteps?

http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/family-friends-of-an-army-veteran-found-dead-in-storage/article_feadd112-f228-5745-afee-9345e6a34066.html

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 6 at 2015 3:03 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 15:03:41 -0500

We're missing too much of the story. Not enough context. 21~ year career implies he has medical benefits (TriCare), so I'm not sure that could have created the downward spiral.

Without the rest of the story, we don't know how he got there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 3:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 15:32:48 -0500

CSM,

From the context of the story I can't say that we as a community failed him. The greater issue here from my perspective is the individual reluctance to be communicative or ask for help. We are a culture defined by the type 'A' personality. Much like the suicide issue, we can only see the warning signs when they are out in the open to be identified.

Does that mean that we can't do more? I think we can, but it would require a shift in our entire culture. A soldier learns early on in his or her career to 'suck it up' and drive on. This inevitably comes to dominate every aspect of life. We tend to minimize injuries, family issues, financial issues, at least until they become too obvious to hide in the workplace. When that carries over into post-service life, you can see that the results are sometimes tragic. I don't have a definite answer to the question, but I think encouraging more dialogue between seniors and subordinates and nipping the pride in the bud a bit while in service would be a good start.

Response by PO2 Pualani Ralph made Mar 6 at 2015 7:45 PM

PO2 Pualani Ralph — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 19:45:00 -0500

There is no easy answer to your question, we could always do more to help someone; but how can we help someone who never showed a single sign that they needed help to the blind eye. The military has many amazing programs for help and so does the VA, the issue we have is there is no "common newstand" to filter all the programs that are available or what the eligibility requirements are. There needs to be a place where a veteran can go and say I need ABC or XYZ, and someone goes well here is how you get it...1.2.3. There also needs to be a place where a veteran can go I don't know what I need or what I am entitled to, I am completely lost.

I sat on a panel with the VA at the Headquarters in D.C back in December, and I voiced my opinons there about the same thing. They offer a million programs but the problem is the people (VA Employees) don't care or are just completely lazy. They will not reach out to the veteran. They only help those who know what help they need and 90% of the time a veteran is lost. We are taught to listen to those higher than us, we are given guidance and training. We are typically told where to be and when to be there.Yes I get we go to TAPS it is mandatory I went twice to regular TAP and twice to DTAP. They pour so much information down you and expect you to remember it. I have learned in my little over a year as a veteran that you can't get help until you learn what help you need and that is where the system is failing. There needs to be more outreach and unfortunately the only people who get this outreach are the Vets that are in WWP or Safe Harbor. There needs to be more outreach to the Vets that did their time honorably and are struggling to make it in the "real" world.

If you need me to clear this up please let me know. I just went on a rant and it probably doesn't make any sense.