Parenting Pointers: The Post-War Life - Readjusting to Life, Family

When returning home after deployment in a war zone, a readjustment period is inevitable. You reunite with loved ones and rebuild intimacy. If you were injured, you might need medical care and physical therapy. You might also need help in battling PTSD or other mental health issues.

If you're leaving the military permanently, you also need to get back out into the job market and earn money for yourself and your family, or go back to school to learn additional skills. Re-entering civilian life can seem overwhelming, but support is available to help you make the transition.

Family Life

After the euphoria of homecoming, reunion can bring considerable stress. Returning service members may have face incoming fire, witnessed the injury or death of others, succumbed to injuries themselves, or be suffering from mental problems, like PTSD. They may have trouble eating and sleeping, have unwanted memories of tragic events, and feel fearful, nervous, guilty, and abandoned. Sometimes both positive and negative feelings coexist.

Spouses and parents need to realize that everyone has changed and take time to get reacquainted with each other. Children will react differently depending on their age, but all need reassurance, attention, care, and physical closeness. If you feel help is needed due to conflict in the relationship, emotional or psychological problems, or difficulties in adjusting, there are resources across the country to help you. These include family assistance centers, family support services, and community services in the various branches of the military, military chaplains, and the health departments of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Medical Help and Physical Therapy

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, with over 1,500 medical centers and outpatient clinics and more than 53,000 health care providers. If you served in active military service and were not dishonorably discharged, you probably qualify for benefits.

Once your application is processed and you have proven that you meet the eligibility requirements, you are entitled to comprehensive health benefits including surgery, orthopedics, critical care, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy. Most medical centers also offer dermatology, neurology, dental, prosthetic, and vision care. Specialized centers help you with organ transplants and plastic surgery if necessary.

PTSD and Other Mental Health Issues

The VA mental health program focuses on helping you recover fully in your adjustment to civilian life. Programs are available to help you deal with PTSD, suicide prevention, substance abuse, military sexual trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Emergency treatment is available 24/7, and if you need ongoing care, a mental health treatment coordinator will be assigned to you.

Finding a Job

Military training enhances skills in leadership, teamwork, and performance under pressure. However, veterans go through a period of adjustment when returning to the civilian job market. The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), administered by the United States Department of Labor, prepares veterans for careers, provides employment resources, and protects employment rights. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program helps veterans with service-related disabilities.

Schooling

The GI Bill provides support for education and housing for qualified veterans. It covers full tuition and fees, a housing allowance, and a stipend for books and supplies. Approved training includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational and technical training, and other educational assistance. Under some circumstances, veterans can pass GI Bill benefits on to their dependents.

If you are a veteran returning from a war zone, you can get help while you adjust to civilian life, recover from physical and mental traumas, find a job, or go back to school.

Definitive Guide to GI Bill Benefits and Eligibility

This article was provided by Mike Kelley, brother to Iraq War veteran. If you or a loved one who has served in the military has encountered trouble or discrimination in any aspect of life, Mike recommends Veteran's Life.