Veteran Statistics (Homelessness, Suicide, Drug Abuse)

SGT Suraj Dave — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:49:51 -0400

I compiled the following numbers today searching out of curiosity. I have to say, I was really shocked.

1) 1 in 4 homeless are veterans.
2) Between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans are homeless at some time during the year
3) On any given night, more than 300,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters in the U.S.
4)The number of homeless Vietnam-era veterans, male and female, is greater than the number of soldiers who died during the war.
5) About 70% of homeless veterans suffer from substance abuse problems
6) There are 65 drug courts in 20 states, which exclusively work with the veteran population.
7) Over 22 veterans commit suicide daily (1 suicide every 65 minutes).

These statistics really hit close to me. Especially being in the Army (I will explain why I mention this later), I know some of my dear friends from my various units will end up in these numbers. It brings tears to my eyes even imagining some of my friends (from the 101st) sleeping outside in the cold, struggling with drug abuse, fighting with suicide (Already happened to one of my other friends).

I think there are certain things the military can do to curb these numbers. I am leaning towards believing that the majority of these numbers are Army and Marine veterans. My reasoning is as follows. Its no secret that the Marines and Army see actual combat, and lots of it. Patrolling, Rockets, Mortars, Casualties etc...... are all traumatic events that can lead to mental health issues in some. Seeing as the Navy and Air force don't really have nearly as many personnel in harms way, and in most cases go through little/no hardship compared to the Army and Marines in Afghanistan.

The second issue I am seeing here a lot of our MOS training is completely useless outside of the Army. Though the Army does teach us all neat skills, we are not allowed to use them outside of the Army.

ex. I am a medic (68w). I have done my fair share of trauma in an FST, sick call in an aid station, and treated a couple casualties on patrol and under fire. I can do pretty much every aspect of the jobs. Every leader I work under gives me accolades for my skills. My trauma skills, SOAP notes etc...
The problem is, I cant do anything with any of this training because I am not "certified" to do it. I could not even volunteer to screen patients at my local V.A. because I didn't have the proper "credentials". The only job being a medic in the Army can get you, is an EMT-B job (You drive around the ambulance, you aren't really allowed to do anything else), and worst of all, most EMT B's volunteer to do that work for free....

Now lets look at our beloved motor pool mechanics. They literally have nothing. We should at least get these guys simple ASE certifications, (brakes are an easy one, etc...)

I can only think of a few MOS's that you can leave the Army with and get a job decent enough to sustain yourself. EOD, Journalist, etc...

I think the problem, I believe, is the Army needs to focus on the soldiers who make up the most important formation within our Army. The brigade combat team. I would say the majority of active duty soldiers belong to a BCT. We need to start getting certs for our 68's, 25's, etc... We have well trained individuals who are not getting job's. Unemployment leads to homelessness.

I think the V.A. should be veteran ran. (Just an Idea) We need to get rid of all those middle aged women (that's mainly who it is) who work in the V.A. hospitals. We should have former 68w's screening patients, former 68k's drawing blood, 68P's taking X ray's, 68E's doing dental, former 42A's pushing papers, 36B's to run the monetary section. Our 68A's will fix our stuff when it breaks, 68G's will run the computer systems. We could use former MP's and/or 11b's, 19d's etc.... The possibilities are endless. We could bring the veterans community good employment. (We all know the military does not have that many medical professionals [Doctors, PT, OT etc...] so those would have to still be contracted out.

I think real veterans would care more about giving real veterans the proper care they need.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2014 1:03 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:03:51 -0400

I think i would be a great idea to have a veteran run VA. Way to many politics involved though. Out of curiosity where did pull some of these statistics from.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 30 at 2014 1:30 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:30:08 -0400

Excellent contribution, SGT Suraj Dave. I'd love to see this one get half the traction that a "salute" thread receives.
Too often, when someone points out a problem, it comes out more like a rant, rather than presenting a well thought out solution with it, as you have done here.
I have to agree with Sgt Private RallyPoint Member's assessment about the politics involved. It would be a tremendous undertaking to turn such a massive bureaucracy into something useful, but if we (as a Country) could find a way to make it happen, I really think those statistics could start to change.
I'm also curious about the source(s) of the numbers. I did a couple of quick searches and found some different ones, as well as some that match up.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Aug 30 at 2014 3:13 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:13:59 -0400

SGT Suraj Dave ,

Going to bust you out on some of the problems with your statistics.
1) The ratio is 1 in 4 homeless are veterans. The VA is currently tracking 23 million veterans. Even if you take the annual total as a max, 4 out of 100 veterans suffers homelessness at some point during the year.
2) VA will under report for political reasons as well as the fact that many of the homeless have given up on the VA as an option. Veteran assistance based non-profits will over report for funding reasons. There is also the problem of what qualifies as "homeless" by those conducting the surveys.
3)That "moment in time" study is done on Jan 30th each year. This causes a disproportional representation of the locations of a "migrant" homeless population as they shift around because of weather conditions. Additionally, families are more willing to put up with homeless relatives through the month following Christmas because of the "giving spirit" of the season and the weather. Summer rates are probably significantly higher.
4) Not just Vietnam, that statistic applies to post service Iraq and Afghanistan vets too.
7) There is a five year threshold regarding the suicide rates. As a general rule, and this is proven by studies of Vietnam era vets, the first five years represent the "danger zone" for veterans. While I am not sure if that is from their first tour or their last, but five years is the mark that generally separates the survivors from the victims. The current spike in suicides correlates to the five year point from the redeployment dates of the 2007 Iraqi Troop surge.

Don't get me wrong, I am as appalled by even the conservative estimates, even though the truth is probably uglier, as you are.

The VA is a bureaucratic behemoth that is nearly impossible to change direction. The answer is the non-profits, private organizations and veteran networking, smaller and more responsive units dealing with Veteran's issues. The things that made us strong as SMs on active duty and deployed, our network and support of each other, is what we need as Veterans if we, and our friends, are to survive.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Sep 2 at 2014 12:25 AM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:25:40 -0400

Very impressive post and replies. Also some good ideas as many of these stats have been going on for decades. The more things change the more they remain the same.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 10:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:40:46 -0400

Unbelievable. Great information, but it shouldn't be this way.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 9:31 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:31:56 -0400

1 thing is how many of our military takes and utilizes the schooling you get through the army. If your a 68W who has past your NREMT to become on, why not go to school to become a paramedic. Or if you work in the motor pool why not go to classes at night to better certify yourself to do any mechanical job. The army gives you basics, and they give you the resources to better yourself but some just need to take that opportunity and use it to its full extent. I know a few military veterans who never went to school while they were in because they expected to be in and retire in after 30 years. We just all have to use what little the army does give us and better our selfs for the long run and for the worse to come.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 19 at 2014 3:14 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:14:47 -0400

Could you clarify this statement that you made SGT Suraj Dave "We need to get rid of all those middle aged women (that's mainly who it is) who work in the V.A. hospitals."

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 8:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 20:40:51 -0400

Dave,

Can you share the references for the information you got this information from?

I am doing research in this area and have found the same alarming numbers and trying to get some stuff moving in a positive direction.

I agree with all of your comments but I must state it is going to take more than just professionalization and certification of our forces. It is going to take a complete shift in the thinking of our senior leaders, the way we are all trained, and the way we get prepared for transition into the civilian life. Much work to be done here and in many other areas.

I have found many techniques that are working for me and a few other Vets, yet I must connect the dots between the trends, potential solutions (Civilian Trends Holistically), and the Urgent Need for ACTION.

Keep rocking the research and postings to educate all. We can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Rick N. Myskey, Jr.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 19 at 2014 8:46 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 20:46:01 -0400

Pretty damn sad no matter how many the numbers are.

Response by MAJ Felipe Moon made Oct 21 at 2014 6:08 PM

MAJ Felipe Moon — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:08:18 -0400

Gentlemen,

I recommend that you contact your city mayors office and offer to help with the Mayoral Challenge.

This folks "want to" help but they honestly have no idea how.

Reach out to me on LinkedIn to discuss this in more detail.

I am not on this "net" very often.

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Jan 9 at 2015 11:09 AM

SPC Leisel Luman — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:09:41 -0500

I agree completely that Vets should fill those slots at the VA. The statistics are truly sad. HUDVASH is a housing voucher program with new guidelines. Old guidelines prevented access to any vets using drugs, alcohol or noncompliance of care. The new guidelines acknowledge that until the vet has a roof over their head it's almost impossible to participate in rehab programs, be compliant with care, get a job or stay out of jail. Imagine how many get out with nowhere to go. It snowballs from there. We have to help each other at every level whenever we can. Veterans should be filling those slots at the VA and canteen. Get rid of those contractors serving food too.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Jan 9 at 2015 8:43 PM

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:43:21 -0500

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend and for the situation as a whole. I don't understand the whole hiring process at the VA or the Civilian Contractors. When I was Active Duty AF I worked in Base Supply. A few years after I got out the AF privatized the Supply system. In 1996 I divorced and had to go back to work, I applied for a job with the contractor at my local AF Base and never even got an interview. I was told I had to know someone within the company to get hired.

Years later I was working at a Civilian hospital in medical records (contractor) when I applied for the same job I was doing already but with the VA, again not even an interview. What is wrong with this picture?