One of the unfortunate realities for U.S. veterans returning from active duty is that their physical, emotional and financial status has almost always been affected by their service. In addition to any disabilities, there is always the risk that they will have to confront discrimination based on their chosen profession.
According to The McAllen Monitor, nearly half of returning veterans sought care at the VA using veterans benefits, many of them for mental illness. Texas is home to the second-largest population of veterans in the country, which means that there is plenty of need for affordable legal services to navigate the complicated legalese of civilian life. Thankfully, a program to do just that now exists.
The Texas Civil Rights Project recently announced a new Veterans' Rights Program aimed at assisting the 40,000 or so veterans living in the Rio Grande Valley.
"Veterans not only have the challenge of re-acclimating to civilian life – seeking health, education and other benefits to which they are entitled – but also often have the added challenge of navigating that process with physical or mental disabilities that they acquired during service," said Emma Hilbert, the program's attorney, in a statement to Equal Voice.
"Added to these challenges, some veterans face discrimination because of such a disability or their status as a veteran," Hilbert continued.
Former servicemembers living in the Rio Grande Valley already have the support of hundreds of organizations and groups, but Felix Rodriguez, Hidalgo County's veterans service officer, said that the legal rights office would offer the kind of protection many veterans are missing.
Any veterans or family members of veterans having trouble gaining access to public resources or residences will find themselves heard and represented at TCRP.
"I have veterans with legal matters who don't know where to go and it's a good thing we have this program now so we can send them here and they can get the relief they are seeking," Rodriguez told The Monitor.
One of the big issues that many veterans may feel these days when it comes to how they're treated politically is that they do not have much of a voice with lawmakers despite their service to this country. However, more legislative bodies are moving to increase their interactions with veterans so that these problems don't continue to present themselves in the future.
For instance, Illinois State Rep. Natalie Manley recently held a meeting of what she refers to as her "Veterans Citizens Advisory Committee," an event which allowed veterans, veteran advocates, and other concerned citizens to speak with an elected official about the realities facing former servicemembers, according to a report from the Joliet News-Herald. The first such event attracted more than two dozen people, and a number of important veterans issues were discussed.
Perhaps foremost among them was the challenges veterans face when it comes to receiving quality health care for their various medical needs, and how they can access the many benefits that ought to be available to them, the report said. In addition, many talked about how they felt as though they didn't have as much support in their daily lives as they might need.
"Let's bring people together," Kevin Leverence, a veteran of the Iraq War who suffers from post-traumatic stress, told the newspaper. "One of the best things we can do is find the best things that are already there. We don't need to reinvent the wheel. [Resources for veterans] need more energy. Putting energy, resources and time into those things. … That's where we're going to get bang for your buck."
The more that lawmakers can do to help veterans the better off those former servicemembers will obviously be. However, it might also be wise for veterans to reach out when they feel the need, because assistance might be as close as a phone call away.
One of the big issues that many veterans across the country face when they come home from service is that they often find it difficult to get full-time employment in just about any field, let alone one that lets them use the skills they picked up while serving. However, many companies are now trying to do a bit more to lend a hand in this regard.
Later this month, more than 80 companies will be in attendance at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, for the Hiring Our Heroes Hiring Expo event, according to a report from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Not only will attendees get the chance to speak with companies that are specifically looking to hire veterans, but they will also be able to receive training that should help them in their job search as well.
That includes an employment workshop with tips on how to craft a great-looking resume, how to search for the best jobs available, and how to nail an interview, the report said. The job fair begins soon after that.
In addition, veterans who are able to pre-register for the event, with proof of their service, will also get two free tickets to the Cavaliers game later that night, the report said. A number of organizations have come together to sponsor the event, including the VA, NBC News, the American Legion, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
This kind of assistance may be vital to the veterans who are able to attend this job fair. However, many similar events are likely taking place with regularity across the country, so any unemployed or underemployed servicemembers who are looking for work may simply need to seek them out.
One of the largest and most popular schools in the country for military tuition assistance has regained the favor of the Department of Defense. The Wall Street Journal reported that, following alleged recruiting violations, the University of Phoenix was put on probationary status by the DOD in October 2015, which meant that it could no longer recruit on military bases or enroll veterans using the tuition-assistance program.
Though the school is no longer on probation, it will be under closer scrutiny moving forward. The DOD has also retained the right to end the school's status in the tuition-assistance program should any non-compliance issues resurface.
"Our commitment to compliance, transparency and continuous improvement remains constant," said University of Phoenix President Timothy P. Slottow in a statement. "We are grateful to leaders at the Department of Defense and in Congress for supporting a clear process and high standards from all educational institutions, and for ensuring military students are able to use their educational benefits for career-relevant programs at University of Phoenix."
An internal review was conducted by the DOD to determine how the for-profit college responded to the probation. Over the last several months, it was established that the department's concerns – none of which were made public – had been adequately met.
The Military Times, however, obtained a letter which addressed the complaints. They included the university's efforts to gain access to military bases without prior approval from the chain of command, as well as the misuse of military seals and trademarks.
According to data from the DOD, the University of Phoenix enrolled more than 9,000 tuition-assistance students in 2014, who altogether took about 28,000 classes at the cost of upwards of $20 million. It is even more popular with veterans, the Military Times reported. More than 49,000 students used the Post-9/11 GI Bill there in 2014 – more than any other school in the country.
Help Our Heroes – a small nonprofit based in Virginia that helps veterans transition from the military to their life after service in the civilian workforce – has gained a lot of attention recently for all it has done to help employ veterans around the country.
Joe Fairbanks, a Navy veteran and former executive at companies like IBM, first came into contact with Hire Our Heroes after the Pittsburgh Foundation pointed him their way. Fairbanks credits his military service with laying the foundation for his professional success.
"That's where I gained the attributes such as a work ethic, personal responsibility and teamwork," he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
To give back some of what he gained, Fairbanks recently made a $60,000 donation to Hire Our Heroes. That generous gift will go toward establishing a full-time executive position within the organization, which up until now has run on nothing but the support of dedicated volunteers. Fairbanks hopes his donation will open up opportunities for fellow veterans in the business world.
"Whatever success I had and the awards I've had in my career, I attribute to the Navy," said Fairbanks. "Veterans don't always know the value they bring, and employers don't always see the value of veterans."
While Fairbanks' generosity will make a big difference, he isn't the only one supporting Hire Our Heroes. 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division recently announced that, since 2013, it has donated more than $500,000 to more than 150 veterans and their families through the nonprofit's program.
In 2016, Body Shop Business reported that 3M is introducing a Hire Our Heroes Calendar. With every $200 donation to their education foundation, about $1,800 worth of monthly deals on 3M products will become available.
"The calendar is a tremendous salute to both the military members serving our country and the veterans who have served," said Dale Ross, 3M's U.S. marketing operations manager. "I think shops will be proud to have this on display, knowing that they have contributed to helping our veterans' transition to careers in the automotive industry."
Many veterans may rely heavily on regular medical checkups and other assistance, but often they do not have the means or capability to get themselves to all their appointments. Fortunately, a number of organizations have cropped up across the country in recent years to help with this issue, and one such group is operating with great success in Phoenix.
The Veterans Transportation Assistance Program is a collaboration between the MORE Foundation and Core Institute to help former servicemembers make any appointments they need with pickup and drop-off service, according to a report from Fox 10 Phoenix. Specifically, these organizations are paying for other transportation companies to come pick up the veterans who need help.
"What the MORE Foundation is doing is they're actually pre-paying and taking that benefit and making it so that anybody [can use it], they don't have to qualify for it," Dana McWilliams of Quality Transport Services, told the station. "[The service is for] anybody who doesn't have the means to get the transportation they need for their medical appointments."
This assistance is likely to go a very long way toward helping veterans get the help they need, in a timely manner. The more that can be done in this regard by other groups could similarly be extraordinarily helpful to veterans in need.
Often, new state and federal laws are passed specifically to help veterans in some way, whether it's through expanded services or additional help. However, some veterans groups are now saying that a bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives could actually harm a large number of former servicemembers, both health-wise and financially.
The FACT Act is a bill that would make it more difficult for all Americans who have been exposed to asbestos to get financial compensation from the companies that exposed them to it, according to a report from political news site The Hill. The reason this is likely to be so impactful for veterans in particular is that they make up about 1 in 3 asbestos victims nationwide.
Under the law, which likely has little chance of being signed by President Barack Obama, those who have gotten sick as a result of asbestos exposure would have to disclose personal information that is then put in public databases, the report said. Further, it would likely delay the payments they receive from the companies responsible.
This is a major issue, and one veterans will have to monitor closely as time goes on. That may be particularly true if they or someone they know has been exposed to asbestos in the past.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the hardest and most debilitating conditions a veteran can face when transitioning into their life after service. Medication and therapy are two of the most common forms of treatment, but some creative and caring minds have come up with some new methods.
WTVM in Georgia reported on Jon Jackson, an Army veteran and founder of STAG VETS, a nonprofit group that treats servicemembers with PTSD and traumatic brain injury through farming. It may sound odd, but Jackson's 20 acres of farmland have already begun to help hundreds of homeless veterans break out from under the shadow of combat memories.
"A lot of the veterans that come back from Iraq and Afghanistan find themselves displaced," Jackson told WTVM. "A lot of those things are not working out for them. Farming and agriculture is pretty much like the military. You have to wake up early to feed the animals, things have to be done, you have to constantly plan and be strategic."
Veterans who arrive at the Comfort Farms build greenhouses and chicken coops, among other things. Jackson hopes to expand the size of the farm in coming years to house veterans and their families.
While farming is one method for alleviating PTSD, researchers at the Dwight Eisenhower Army Medical Center's Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic have found transcendental meditation effective. According to UPI, meditation helps veterans rely less on medication for treatment.
Finding inner peace by tuning out distractions has a direct effect on stress hormones, the medical center's study found.
After one month of examining veterans undergoing meditation and comparing them to a group who was not, the researchers found that nearly 84 percent of those meditating had held even, decreased or stopped altogether their medication usage. About 59 percent of the non-meditation group had done so.
Servicemembers spend years of their life relying on the chain of command for orders – how to dress, how to train, how to fight. But when it comes to a life after service, the voice of the drill instructor or C.O. has gone silent. Every decision is now in the veteran's hands, including that of where to go next. So, when the discharge papers come through, how do you make your choice?
According to the Military Times, a majority of veterans chose to stick around their previous duty stations. That's part of why San Antonio's veteran population lies in the six-figure range. Familiar cities aren't the only places in the country with a culture and services tailored to veterans, however.
An analysis conducted by the Military Times has revealed the best cities nationwide – a number of which may be surprising – for veterans seeking a career or comfortable place to settle down. Other studies have determined the worst cities for returning veterans. These are areas that lack military-related jobs, affordable housing and wage growth.
Here's a closer look at both the good and the bad:
The best
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Commuting to work is a breeze in Virginia Beach – on average, the trip is only a little more than 20 minutes. It's also one of the safest cities the Military Times found, with just 26.6 crimes per 1,000 people according to Census data. A culture that values its military members – who often play a big part in community events – puts Virginia Beach at the top of the list.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Veterans make up a big part of Colorado Springs's population, and the city welcomes their presence with open arms. Homes here go for a little more than $200,000, putting housing easily within reach for veterans, while multiple VA facilities accepting military insurance and benefits are less than an hour's drive.
San Antonio
Every November, San Antonio hosts Celebrate America's Military – a self-explanatory event that draws veterans and their families from all over. Very affordable housing is also a big appeal. Homes in the city can be bought for just a fraction of what they might cost elsewhere. Housing discounts are among the veterans benefits on offer.
San Diego
One of the best aspects of San Diego is its education system, its colleges in particular. Both San Diego State University and the University of San Diego made the Military Times' list of the best colleges for veterans. Having what very well may be the best climate in the country makes the city's strong military culture even more hospitable.
Oklahoma City
Veteran-friendly companies – from Chesapeake Energy to Verizon to Terra Construction – are just one trait Oklahoma City prides itself on. Many of the companies are owned and operated by veterans, making for a very warm, friendly atmosphere around military service members in the city. A VA medical center less than three miles from the city center doesn't hurt either.
The worst
Detroit
Among the hardest cities to live in for veterans trying to break out of poverty, WalletHub ranked Detroit dead last on its list of best and worst cities for former servicemembers.
Newark, New Jersey
Coming in second-to-last to only San Bernardino, California for lowest veteran income growth, Newark also has the inglorious distinction of having the highest percentage of veterans living below the poverty line in WalletHub's study.
Boston
Since WalletHub declared Boston one of the worst cities for veteran homelessness – it tied with San Francisco and Atlanta, among others – the city has put a lot of effort behind getting veterans long-term housing.
Hialeah, Florida
Any veteran moving to Hialeah won't find themselves with very much company. The city ranked dead last of the 100 studied by WalletHub for veteran population, meaning that sense of community and veteran culture would be very difficult to find.
Miami
With one of the lowest percentages of military skill-related employment, Miami makes it tough for veterans to find jobs that properly utilize their experience. In a city as expensive as Miami, that's pretty much a deal breaker.
In recent years, more effort has been put into boosting the care veterans receive when they come back to their life after service, and this assistance comes in many forms. Now, the VA is helping to send more from a private company to assist veterans in the state of Alaska, where care has often been lacking.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which is based in Arizona, has received VA funding to send six new employees to help veterans in some of Alaska's biggest cities, according to a report from the Alaska News Dispatch. These workers will assist veterans in scheduling appointments and paying their doctors' bills whenever possible, and will be based throughout the state. Two of the six will be in Anchorage working directly at the VA, while two more will travel to help care providers deal with veterans' claims, and another will work in Fairbanks in a similar capacity. A sixth will be something of an overseer for the rest of the group.
"By having this staff based in Alaska we will demonstrate our commitment to Alaskan providers and gain their trust," Hal Blair, deputy program manager of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, told the newspaper.
The goal here is to assist the VA's other staffers in speeding up the process by which veterans can book doctors' appointments and deal with the claims they need to file on a regular basis, the report said. Lawmakers in the state also hope more funding can be freed up to provide additional support in this regard, with some calling it a "first step" toward a better assistance safety net for state veterans.
The more assistance governmental agencies can provide to veterans in any type of need, the better off those servicemembers are likely to be going forward. And often, even if government support falls short, there will be a private organization that can help as well.