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Over 1/4 Of USA Homeless Are Veterans - Page 4

'How do you go from hero to homeless vet?'

Nearly 18 percent of post-9/11 vets in Orange County were homeless at some point in 2014. Retired service members “are significantly underprepared for civilian life” when it comes to finding jobs and housing, a new study has found. Ref. Source 4k.

Veterans Homeless USA Over

It is simple to be homeless after being in the military. First off you do not want to be back home with your parents as you want to be dependent and not rely on them so you move to a place where there are jobs to be had and then find out you are not being hired. From there you have no home and can not afford a home or apartment due to no income. Now you find yourself away from home and jobless. Now you are homeless and living on the streets.

Over 1/4 Of USA Homeless Are Veterans History & Civil Business Politics

Military is like no other business in the United States. You work for them and they provide almost everything you need (Food, shelter, income, healthcare, social opportunities). When you are separated from the military, the experience is not unlike that of a mother suffering postpartum depression. The separation from stability into an environment of instability is life changing.

The problem is not solely government, nor is it entirely the military's fault either. It is actually, in my honest opinion, a three fold problem. The principle parts are the government, the military, and the society or community the individual is from. Each entity relies on a veteran in a different way and in some similar ways.

When a recruit enlists or speaks to a recruiter, the government should begin providing more healthcare services, primarily psychological and mental health screenings. The government would also be responsible for establishing the transition programs that society would implement for veterans. The society/community should be informed by the military of a new recruit's interest to enlist. Society would then provide veterans to inform the new recruit of what they can expect, what they should expect, and encourage the new recruit to plan accordingly. Military would then follow up with programs to sustain mental health, improve cultural transition between military life to civilian life, and reasonably utilize the services of a new recruit (Keeping active away assignments to a reasonable length, providing and encouraging social and psychological services and outlets to cope with tragedy.).

A major problem for veterans is "The only people who understand veterans are veterans". Because the experiences of being in the service are so unique, those who have not served have no point of reference.

Page 4 Veterans Homeless USA Over

I feel the transition from war / military service to civilian life is too much of a shock. After being discharged a soldier should be sent to some kind of acclimatization facility to get themselves checked and feel good about reentering society.

Veterans Homeless USA Over

While that sounds very good in theory Cynthia who would pay for this program and would it be available in all towns across this nation. Many soldiers are from small town USA some having less than 500 residents. Not many resources out there for a vet in a small town.

Over 1/4 Of USA Homeless Are Veterans

Cynthia they have demoblization which happens when units or individuals return from war. Anywhere from one to six months if memory serves me right.

Only problem with demob is that it amongst military only and not military/civilian populace. Different mentality and behaviors when the people you are with share the same problems and experiences you do.

It is quite similar to introducing a captive species into the wild of its species natural habitat. Unfamiliar territory does not foster integration. It creates more problems and seems to entrench pre-existing conditions.

Over 1/4 USA Homeless Veterans - Page 4

Then demoblization isn't doing what it should and needs to be changed to meet the need. If its all military then perhaps the government can arrange civil jobs in conjunction with the program. Whatever it takes so our boys don't end up on the streets.

Over 1/4 USA Homeless Veterans Politics Business Civil & History - Page 4

Progress on housing homeless veterans?

San Diego County’s tally of homeless has eased somewhat — in January, there were slightly more than 1,150 homeless veterans in the region, according to an annual one-day count. That was almost half of the 2,100 head count in 2009 Ref. Source 2j.