Lev Lazinskiy

Long term approach to veterans care

Check out this great article in which ADM Mike Mullen outlines the long term care that is required for returning veterans in todays military. There was once a time when individuals would serve a few years, be given a pat on the back, and sent along their way.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120215154800/https://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=61785

Today, with improved educational opportunities, greater awareness in PTSD, and increasing support from the VA things are looking up for those who have served this country.

Those of you who have been in MD know that each afternoon on your way home you will see several guys standing in the middle of the street who hold signs that say “homeless vet”. It seems that a majority of these veterans are from the vietnam era, and there is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing those who gave up so much end up with so little.

PTSD/TBI, and the whole spectrum of mental health issues is not a new concept. It was not invented with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. In contrast, its awareness has become greater in the last 20 years than at any other time in the history of military mental health. Unfortunately this occurred a little bit too late for some. We can only hope that the current epidemic of mental health issues will be resolved more effectively than in the past.

It is reassuring to see the highest level of leadership focus on not only mission accomplishment, force protection, and national security, but also keeping in mind the mental, educational, and health care needs of those who make all of this happen.