How Americans are failing their Veterans

To a commentator, you hear the same thing. We need to do more to support our veterans but these are only words and much of it are coming from those with very little say or influence on what is needed most.  Many say that they are willing to do whatever it takes to demonstrate how supportive they are to their American veterans but they do not know what to do.  Well this article will detail exactly what you can do, so listen up.

This administration has already done a lot to show its support by offering businesses tax credits for hiring veterans, the new GI bill, and increasing funding for the Veteran’s Administration.  These actions displays clearly that there is only so much government can do and the remaining steps needed to take falls outside of their control.  For the Veterans Administration, the rule that established a time frame that restricts veterans from applying and receiving their benefits should be eliminated.  If you served honorably or in a combat environment, you earned those benefits and nothing or no one should be able to stop you from getting them.  Personally, I left the service in 1991 and still have not received one benefit that should have been afforded, no wonder our suicide numbers have increased.  We can lead people into battle, control billions of dollars worth of equipment and complete any assignment without prejudice but we can’t be trusted to watch over your kids, run a business, cut your hair or counsel those in desperate need of our knowledge. 

For the veteran, there is nothing else needed from them because they have already demonstrated their undying love for this nation by willing to make the ultimate sacrifice like some of their friends.  They enlisted without pressure and served with a dignity experience by far few.  All that is left for them to do is chase their dream regardless of what it is and as long as it does not infringe on the rights fought for of others.

For the civilian it is dependent on the position of that civilian.  If you are a recruiter, human resource manager or president and chairman of the board, your task is much different than that of the reguar civilian who happens to be only a neighbor.  Businesses have a tendency to under rate or ignore the potential benefit of hiring a veteran unless it means a tax credit.  Many seek the experience of general officers from all branches of service as the ultimate catch but what they miss out on is the bounty of experience that those enlisted men and women can bring to the table.  They are not only able to lead but also carry the burden of elevating their companies to the next level.  Enlisted men and women are only seen as entry level personnel but they are much more than that.  They are the backbone which makes our military the best in the world.  They are the load bearing walls that keep this structure standing through all types of bad weather.  They are the glue which holds this nation together and until they are treated as such, there will remain a giant hole in our society.  Now not ever enlisted man or woman has what it takes and some still have that mentality to look only at what their service can bring them but the majority see their service as an elevation of all America.  Those who see their service as an extension of how great this nation can be are out there looking for an opportunity.  They look for anyone willing to give them that.

For the regular civilian, all that veterans’ desire is a chance, so give it to them.  You see one who wishes to open their own business, help them do so by introducing and supporting them to someone you know who can make it happen.  You see one that wants to help make a difference in their community, use the knowledge that they obtained while serving to advance their desire.  A former drill instructor can go a long way in local high school’s ROTC programs.  A former medic can ease fears and the lack of good Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in your area.  Jobs like these do not require years of schooling because they already have earned the best diploma or degree that one could ever have which comes from the school of hard knocks.