The U.S. military has experienced aggressive deployments in recent years. These deployments, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, are usually associated with health, psychological and housing problems. For current purposes, focus remains on homelessness as one post-discharge problem a significant number of veterans experiences. The scope of homelessness is, if anything, unsettling from at least two perspectives.
First, homelessness is not properly reported. Upon discharge, inactive service men and women are left out in a civil life completely different from a military one. Fearing negative impact on military career or special benefits gained after discharge, veterans do not report a broad range of health issues usually associated with homelessness ("Critical Issues Facing Veterans and Military Families," 2016). Current estimate refers to an approximate of 10% of homeless people as veterans ("Critical Issues Facing Veterans and Military Families"). Further, reported cases of homelessness among veterans cite substance abuse and psychological problems veterans experience after discharge from service ("Critical Issues Facing Veterans and Military Families").
Second, specific services in U.S. military are not eligible for shelter and employment services albeit being "veterans". According to Captain Joan Hunter, Director of Psychological Heath, U.S. Public Health Service, discharged National Guards do not qualify for a broad range of healthcare services as well as homelessness services offered to veterans of other military services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011). This gap in military service has made a portion of discharged National Guard veterans vulnerable to complications of services offered outside military for shelter, associated care and, not least, employment counseling.
On another hand, official efforts are made to help mitigate risks and challenges veterans fac. Notably, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has in place a five-year plan in order to end homelessness among veterans, according to Dr. Bradley E. Karlin, Ph.D., National Mental Health Director of Psychotherapy & Psychogeriatrics (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). The pan does not only cover sheltering services but also ensures resettled veterans (and, for that matter, families) live in secure and safe surroundings. Further, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs offers a number of residential treatment programs aimed at ensuring more security and safety for discharged veterans and families (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
In recognition of how important family support is, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs offers counseling services for homeless families, particularly right after discharge and during adjustment phase in a civilian life (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Notably, all speakers emphasize how gaps in services offered by U.S. military forces veterans to resort to civil services which might not be complete or unaffordable.
On a more positive note, however, Captain Hunter refers to a partial change in military culture by which U.S. military has evolved into more open culture (partially), an opportunity which could lead to future military-civil collaboration (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). If anything, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can better manage services offered to veterans by properly outsourcing healthcare services to civil agencies and organizations not only to help optimize care offered to veterans but also, more significantly, to accommodate as much veterans as possible in post-service, federally-funded programs not by way of gratitude but as a duty toward service men and women.
References
Critical Issues Facing Veterans and Military Families. (2016, February 19). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/veterans-military-families/critical-issues
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2011). Military Families: Access to Care for Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Veterans, Their Families and Those Close to Them [Software]. Available from http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA11-4621DVD
