This great nation owes everything to the brave men and women who have served it. Freedom isn’t free. It always comes with a great sacrifice from heroes. I am very thankful to be born in this free nation. I grew up in a military family. My uncles, father, and brothers have all served this country. Learning first hand from friends and family the struggles post service is why I believe it is so important to discuss the mental health of our soldiers. The military saying that speaks so profoundly to me is: “Not all wounds are visible.”
As a strength and conditioning coach, I participated in the 22 Pushups per day for Soldiers Challenge, several times throughout the years. It was a noble attempt to bring awareness to the average 22 suicides per day of our veterans. But the sad truth is, with each passing year, the statistics only get worse. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs says that 11-20% of soldiers experience PTSD in their lifetime.
The mental stress and environmental conditions take a heavy toll. The physical injuries are challenging enough on their own, but a lifetime of coping with emotions and self worth appears to be more difficult. The sacrifice these soldiers have made isn’t theirs alone. Their families and friends are impacted as well. Military families lose loved ones, have soldiers return to them forever changed, and are ill-equipped to help them heal.
The covid lockdown, the end of the 9/11 era theater from Afghanistan & Iraq, and the slowing economy and inflation only make it worse. Veterans have discussed at length in media interviews, their frustrations with the abrupt pullout of troops in Afghanistan. William A. Galston reports in his Brookings Institute article that “The findings are disturbing. Afghanistan veterans number about 775,000, many with multiple tours of duty. They are angry about the withdrawal, 73% feel betrayed, and 67% feel humiliated.” This doesn’t help soldiers feel a sense of purpose or accomplishment for their time in service. Most service members already struggle to integrate back into the civilian sphere. We as a society need to do a better job with career placement and programs that use the skillsets they developed in the military to integrate them back into the commercial marketplace. It’s our role as a nation to help them understand that the military is not their whole identity or worth.
Companies like Goldman Sachs are on the right track with their Veterans Integration Program. They are supporting military personnel in a one year program aimed at the opportunity to hone their skills, connect them with mentors, and provide opportunities for them to succeed at the transition into civilian life. Another great example of a newer veteran-owned and operated company that just went public on the NYSE, is Black Rifle Coffee. They started in 2014, and this company is committed to hiring 10,000 veterans in the next few years. My belief is that building opportunities for veterans to be proud of their service and culture is the key to repurposing these heroes. As Veterans Day approaches this year, please take the time to thank those who have served, and support companies that invest in them. ◆
