VETERANS RETURNING TO CIVILIAN LIFE FROM COMBAT

Veterans: Combat to Civilian Life

Veterans: Combat to Civilian Life

Introduction

Veterans undergo major catastrophic, tragic and traumatic events in the war field. A biological result of such experience is the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Undergoing such traumatic events causes victims to be typically confused, overwhelmed, and in need of a lot of support. Thus, it is essential that such victims be treated properly in order to ensure that they easily adjust to their previous civilian life successfully.

Discussion

Nature of Problem

Studies of etiological factors for war related post-traumatic stress disorder show that many pre-military, military, and post-military variables are closely linked with the development and worsening of such disorders. Isolating a traumatized person from further stress is a very positive step taken by significant others in providing social support as a variable of the recovery environment. (Gregurek, 2000).

Different populations with different demographics (for example, age cohorts) will benefit from friends or family's support to different extents. In most cases, soldiers feel that their friends or family cannot understand their situation at all, and they turn to their fellow veterans for the social support. However, the real issue arises when they are affirmed that neither their friends and family nor their fellow soldiers can assist in getting them out of this situation. For this reason, Vet Centers were formed and are successfully working to help veterans get back to their civilian life after the tough period of combat and war. (Patterson, 2008; Wessely, 2005)

Vet Centres, at many different areas, provide soldiers and their family members by providing them a range of quality care that adds value for not only the veterans but also to their families and the community as a whole. The Quality Care provided services include community education, community agencies brokers' services, professional readjustment counselling and outreach to special populations.

Impact of the Problem

Veterans recently returning from deployment with Guard or Reserve unit mostly find that their switch to civilian life is more challenging than their expectations. Many combat veterans continue to relive their experiences after the initial joy and relief of being back home subside. Moreover, veterans find themselves reacting to situations in manner that is most appropriate in combat scenario, but definitely not at home or on job. Veterans find it immensely difficult in recapturing their relationships they once had with their family, friends, and colleagues.

All veterans returning from a combat zone need some time to adjust back to their civilian life. It is extremely difficult to adjust in a calm, quiet and peaceful environment considering that soldiers had to undergo death and destruction, personal losses and life-threatening events. A few decades ago, soldiers found time to decompress coming back with their unit by ship, but today it is like a high-threat environment one day and home the next day.

Moreover, after the intense combat experiences and working in highly stressful conditions, the normal civilian life seems very boring.

Although it is impossible to become the same civilian a soldier was before ...