4 types of Veterans, have you heard of this?

2015-09-28T12:50:16-04:00

This is an interesting article on the perception of veterans by the civilian world. I know most of fall into the 80% group. I wanted to share this with all of you, so that you understand how we are looked at in the civilian sector.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/four-types-veterans-lance-t-walker

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 28 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-09-28T12:52:30-04:00

No, I had not heard this CSM Michael Lynch. Thanks for posting.
I don't usually concur with simple groupings of people as vast as Veterans. The author makes some interesting points about the veterans who are most prominently covered in news reports [PTSD and Homeless]. He spends some time pointing out two groups that do not draw attention to themselves [Wounded warrior and Invisible Vet].
However he leaves out the largest group - the veterans who are proud of their service and while not drawing undo attention to the themselves are drawing attention at appropriate times - Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, July 4, Veterans Day either as groups such as America Legion, VFW, etc or individually as they and we honor those serving and those who have fakllen.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
• The “Rambo PTSD” vet - the guy who might shoot up the place, or hide in their room during the 4th of July fireworks show. It’s awesome to watch in the movies, but nobody wants the new guy blowing up stuff down at the job site.
• The “Homeless Helpless” vet - broken, addicted to drugs and alcohol and beyond saving, but should still be pitied because they “gave so much”.
That leaves two types of veterans you normally don’t see or recognize every day:
• The Wounded Warrior - has been getting a lot more attention lately, thanks to organizations like Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Many of these veterans are able to work, but may need to work from home. Around 10-12% of the total veteran population has a disability rating of 20% or higher.
• The Invisible Vet - this is by far the largest group of veterans, what I call “the other 80 percent”. These are the veterans you work with, or ride the train with, or eat lunch next to every day - and you’d never know they served in the military unless they tell you. These are the people just working hard to support their families, and trying to fit back into a world they no longer understand. They get no financial support from the government; not even a retirement check unless they’ve served 20 years.

Response by SGT S Johnson made Sep 28 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-09-28T13:14:14-04:00

Here is HOW the Kroger co Has Treated Me After 28 years in the Butcher shop.
PLEASE Sign GOV KASICH & KROGER co. Wont Support Our VETS!!!#COMBATVETSLIVESMATTER
https://www.change.org/p/potus-all-congress-combat-vets-lives-matter?recruiter=278863106&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

POTUS, ALL CONGRESS: COMBAT VETS LIVES MATTER

WHERE IS MY PROTECTION UNDER THE AMENDMENTS?????????????? This is How SHADY, UN-TRUTHFUL HYPOCRITICAL People RUIN A VETS REPUTATION!!! I am a Disabled Combat Veteran of ( 2005-2006 )Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have a CCW lic. I am told I SCARED MGT because I am a Member of the CVMA (COMBAT VETERANS MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION) VETS HELPING VETS !!!  I have been working for the KRoger co as a Butcher, for Over 28 yrs. I have been Demoted 2...

Response by SGT S Johnson made Sep 28 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-09-28T13:14:24-04:00

Here is HOW the KROGER co has TREATED ME,
PLEASE Sign GOV KASICH & KROGER co. Wont Support Our VETS!
#COMBATVETSLIVESMATTER
https://www.change.org/p/potus-all-congress-combat-vets-lives-matter?recruiter=278863106&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 28 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-09-28T13:50:50-04:00

http://www.recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html

CSM Michael Lynch Thank you for sharing that excellent article. When I was discharged from the Navy, I had high hopes. I wound up working as a security guard, the same thing I was doing before going into the Navy. I did that for another five years after my discharge from the service before getting into IT where I work now. I was not totally shocked by this, except for one thing. I inquired about employment at AUTEC which directly relates to what I did in the Navy, and they said that I would only be able to work as a Security Guard there as well. That was the only time in my post military job searching that I really felt like I was not going to do anything better.

Funny thing about fruitless job hunting, you can go through some of the same stages as grieving. I started with denial: "It cannot really be this hard to find a good job." From there I went to anger: "Why the fuck can't I find a job beyond this security shit." After Anger came a sad acceptance: "Somebody has to do the shit jobs, that is all." Then came the change: "I will not be working in security next year!" At this point I started taking night classes and working towards IT certifications. Then came the success: "I can start after giving my current employer two weeks notice." So while it is not an exact parallel, there were a lot of similar aspects.

Having a better grasp on the post Navy world would have made a world of difference. Although, in retrospect, knowing myself would have been helpful too.

7 STAGES OF GRIEF

The 7 stages of grief outlines a comprehensive working model. Learn what to expect and when things should improve.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-09-28T14:21:26-04:00

CSM Michael Lynch, Great post. I know plenty of “PTSD RAMBO VETS” and it’s unfortunate to think that they have a really hard time socializing and adapting to the civilian sector. I fall into the 80% category, but there are some dead giveaways that will let people know that I’m a Vet such as my haircut and continuous clean shaven face, my facial expressions, verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and my physical mannerism. Just the way I sit, stand and walk will give me away.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-09-29T14:15:12-04:00

Great post and interesting read. As I approach my retirement, its good to know whats out there. Even now, unless someone approaches me while in uniform, I am that quiet professional who serves the good of a Nation I love.

Response by SN Alex Tufail made Sep 29 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-09-29T14:38:51-04:00

It makes total sense as to why so many vets struggle to find jobs. Even though most Vets fit into the 80% catagory, a lot of us are still seen and thought of as the Rambo PTSD. Whenever I've applied for jobs, I usually get denied the position, and after doing further investigation I come to find that it's because the company views me as a liability and that I might cause an issue even though I have never done such a thing. The perceived notion that I will have a "flash back" or something puts fear and worry into the minds of companies that want to protect themselves and their employees.
Not being able to work is a huge source of my depression. Just because I receive compensation from the VA doesn't mean I feel satisfied with myself. I love to work, and I love to be able to assist and be a part of a productive and functional team. It's not about the money, but rather about the desire to feel valued as a team member.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 1 at 2015 2:40 AM

2015-10-01T02:40:08-04:00

I guess I would fall under both the Wounded Warrior and the Invisible Vet. WW based solely on my disability rating though none are serious enough to warrant working from home and none of my injuries are directly combat-related.

Thanks for sharing.