Posted on Mar 25, 2017
Should Veterans status be included in a national database linked to their drivers license information?
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As a veteran with PTSD I have had negative experiences with our justice system because of it. I expect,law enforcement to understand that my proper attitude is not submission or an easy admission of guilt but simple respect and a propensity to not argue,in a situation. With PTSD anything that looks like it's going South for all the wrong reasons causes a negative reaction. Or worse no reaction.
Posted in these groups: 
PTSDPTSD Survivors of America
PTSDPTSD Survivors of America
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Hell, no. Most people don't understand PTSD (even VA healthcare professionals). Best not to mention it unless absolutely relevant and necessary. Also, as others mentioned, way to much risk of abuse and misuse of data.
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SFC A.M. Drake
Agreed, it's like wearing the Scarlet Letter one more reason to shoot first and let the courts decide later.
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PO3 John Wagner
I didn't say anything about mentioning PTSD here. I realize it is in the PTSD category but the point I am making is that if any law enforcement officer is aware of your veterans status that will put them in the right head space to understand your general deameanor.
I am completely unimpressed by the uniforms the Batman accessories and the space cruiser with all the lights. It doesn't register on my mind like it would on a civilians.
I'm not even remotely inhibited or intimidated just by the sight of the gear.
This doesn't mean they expect a person to be but it is what they are accustomed to dealing with most of the time.
I honestly think it puts them off balance or makes them a little nervous when they don't get that automatic reaction. Nothing worse than a confused or nervous drugstore cowboy.
I am completely unimpressed by the uniforms the Batman accessories and the space cruiser with all the lights. It doesn't register on my mind like it would on a civilians.
I'm not even remotely inhibited or intimidated just by the sight of the gear.
This doesn't mean they expect a person to be but it is what they are accustomed to dealing with most of the time.
I honestly think it puts them off balance or makes them a little nervous when they don't get that automatic reaction. Nothing worse than a confused or nervous drugstore cowboy.
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PO3 John Wagner
SFC A.M. Drake - Let's not let that sentiment get around shall we?
I don't know about shooting anyone but there seem to be a great many that could use a good solid kick in the nuts then picked up by the sack
I don't know about shooting anyone but there seem to be a great many that could use a good solid kick in the nuts then picked up by the sack
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I choose no for the following reasons. Too much of an opportunity for abuse of the data collected, as in some Liberal Politicians ability to access the data and use it to deny our 2nd Amendment rights. Suffering from PTSD is a private matter between you and your counselor/physician or family and I do not want myself or anyone else brought into the limelight because of it - I don't think it's anyone's business but mine, or as I stated above. Lastly, I could see a scenario where the cops are called to any situation where they find out you have PTSD and deem you a threat to society. One could get shot by the Police if said military man/woman were experiencing an episode. No, I disagree with anyone who thinks this is a good idea.
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MSG (Join to see)
PO3 John Wagner - I know in my state you can have on your drivers license that you are a vet, you can even get veterans license plates, just need your 214 and its done, no other info required
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PO3 John Wagner
MSG (Join to see) - I just found out in my state....population about 600,000.
That you can't get a veterans plate for a motorcycle. The reasoning? Well we can only issue 4 numbers on the plate if we use the service logo..
"OK...let me think.. five services, 10000 plates each.. 600000 population..? So your afraid you will run out then?
That you can't get a veterans plate for a motorcycle. The reasoning? Well we can only issue 4 numbers on the plate if we use the service logo..
"OK...let me think.. five services, 10000 plates each.. 600000 population..? So your afraid you will run out then?
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SFC (Join to see)
I read your comment after the question and noted you mentioned PTSD in your comment and it morphed my brain into thinking the question had to do with PTSD. See this is what happens when one is paranoid about giving a government entity information - any information - about your/my military status. I still vote no. None of their business.
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Yes. Veteran status is different than a medical diagnosis. That should be kept confidential. In fact, according to HIPAA all health related information, by law, i supposed to be accessible to those who are privy to it; those of us who work in healthcare and need access to the MR to do our jobs. No one else outside of that should have access. A "V" on the DL and in a database would be a good idea to an extent. That's all I'll speak on it for now.
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PO3 John Wagner
Thank you for the comment and clarification. Very helpful here.
I came at this from a point of view of having had negative experiences which might NOT have been negative if the Veterans status was available for immediate note on the DL.
The officer will understand that they are dealing with someone who WILL handle themselves a certain way as opposed to all civilians in general which must for the officers own safety be treated as total unknowns.
I came at this from a point of view of having had negative experiences which might NOT have been negative if the Veterans status was available for immediate note on the DL.
The officer will understand that they are dealing with someone who WILL handle themselves a certain way as opposed to all civilians in general which must for the officers own safety be treated as total unknowns.
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SPC Brian Mason
You're welcome. This country would be better off for all, if we started to think about it in its entirety instead. As an Army vet, I'm willing to help all our military; regardless of branch.
It's not as simple as one might think. That data will be under attack by some disgusting, deviant people who want to get and sell it. There'd have to be businesses who's sole goal is to guard and protect it. A 'status' or diagnosis as you put it, is medical information. The VA would have to be heavily involved in this implementation. Biometrics would be the best start to incorporate this idea.
It's not as simple as one might think. That data will be under attack by some disgusting, deviant people who want to get and sell it. There'd have to be businesses who's sole goal is to guard and protect it. A 'status' or diagnosis as you put it, is medical information. The VA would have to be heavily involved in this implementation. Biometrics would be the best start to incorporate this idea.
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In general answer to your question, I'd say no, I really don't want a veteran (or VA diagnosis of something like PTSD) database, but I have to ask when it comes to the idea of giving the police a heads-up about someone's veteran status, just what kind of special reaction or special treatment should the coppers give a veteran that everyone shouldn't receive?
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SGT Dave Tracy
PO3 John Wagner - You put it out there. I'm not sure what you're getting at as far as linking a national database of veterans to licenses and the implications of interacting with the cops who would then know of that status. To what end? Do you feel veterans are owed special treatment or am I totally missing your point?
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PO3 John Wagner
SGT Dave Tracy - Mostly missing the point but that's understandable because I didn't do a very good job of making it in the first place.
Thankfully enough people have asked me the right questions and we are slowly "policing" :-) this thing into shape.
Thankfully enough people have asked me the right questions and we are slowly "policing" :-) this thing into shape.
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PO3 John Wagner: I cant see anything good coming from the compilation of a data base linked to one's driver's license. If you are a retired vet and you want the officer to know you are a vet, give him/her your license and your ID card. If you just address an officer as "Sir/Ms, he/she will probably ask you if you are a vet. So much disrespect these days toward LE.......
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PO3 John Wagner
I try to let them see my VA card sometimes but to be honest with you it goes against my grain. I don't kiss their asses either. I address them with respect but I don't call them sir.
That goes against my grain too. If for no other reason than many I deal with these days we're on the tit or hadn't gone to town with dad and come home with Mom yet when I started driving truck. They don't kiss my ass so I am not kissing theirs. They normally didn't come to have a chat wether it be business or just paperwork. Nothing to say to a man who just walks up to my window and tells me what he wants. Log book,drivers license, proof of insurance, ect. They aren't there to chat. It seems pretty phony to try to engage in conversation. "Officer" is good enough. They don't put their name on the inspection form or ticket if that is what they are there for. Just a number. If they invite me back to the car instead of leaving me to sit in the truck for twenty impersonal minutes while they do their paperwork I don't figure I owe them any big how,do you do.
That goes against my grain too. If for no other reason than many I deal with these days we're on the tit or hadn't gone to town with dad and come home with Mom yet when I started driving truck. They don't kiss my ass so I am not kissing theirs. They normally didn't come to have a chat wether it be business or just paperwork. Nothing to say to a man who just walks up to my window and tells me what he wants. Log book,drivers license, proof of insurance, ect. They aren't there to chat. It seems pretty phony to try to engage in conversation. "Officer" is good enough. They don't put their name on the inspection form or ticket if that is what they are there for. Just a number. If they invite me back to the car instead of leaving me to sit in the truck for twenty impersonal minutes while they do their paperwork I don't figure I owe them any big how,do you do.
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PO3 John Wagner
If my veteran status is in the data base then they can do with that information what they will. I suspect that it will almost always be a positive. My opinion. I am a professional out here doing a job. There are a lot of useless drivers out here as well, I would consider it an edge.
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