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Will do!

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Not a problem. Hope these links will prepare you a bit. Text me if you have any more questions.

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Thanks for all of the information. I learned a lot!

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*WARNING* There's cursing in there. This video documents the life of a male veteran who had to wait months to receive treatment after his injury. Male Veterans and the VA System:

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America's Veteran Crisis: Abandoned At Home

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This is about the different struggles female veterans face. Female Veterans and the VA System:

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Last year was a year of landmark legislation for women veterans. After more than four years of legislative advocacy, Congress passed of the Deborah Sampson Act (DSA) was a significant step in recognizing the need for a more equitable and inclusive Department of Veterans Affairs.

This act, signed into law early this year, includes provisions to address sexual harassment and assault in VA facilities, establish an Office of Women's Health directly under the undersecretary of VA for Health, and improve access to care and benefits for survivors of Military Sexual Trauma.

Despite this groundbreaking legislative win and women veterans being the fastest-growing group within the veteran community, there are still glaring systemic issues that must be addressed to ensure equitable access to high-quality care for all women veterans. Without proper access to safety measures such as locks on the changing room doors, a choice to see only female physicians, and accessible OB-GYN, women veterans are being pushed out of the VA health care system and choosing to seek care through private insurance or not at all.

Answering the call

The sad reality is, according to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's (IAVA) most recent survey, 14% of our female members still feel unsafe receiving care in VA facilities, and the specific measures of the DSA have yet to be fully implemented.

Since 9/11, over 700,000 women answered the call to serve their country. They should not feel like they are risking their physical and mental safety to receive medical care at facilities that are dedicated to serving them. Under Secretary Denis McDonough's leadership, the VA must continue to aggressively crackdown on VA sexual harassment and create an equal and safe environment for female veterans. As a veteran and sexual assault survivor myself, I don't utilize VA health care services. I know too many women who have been mistreated in those facilities.
Trust in military is dropping: Maybe public confidence in the military would go up if its leaders shut up
Not only do many women feel unsafe and threatened under the current system, but also unwelcome. And it's no surprise why. From the moment they walk through the door, women veterans are unrecognized due to the VA motto: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan."

As women service members and veterans often struggle with imposter syndrome, not fully feeling a part of the veteran community, the non-inclusive motto reaffirms this feeling. This is why IAVA is calling to change the motto to be gender-neutral, fully recognizing all veterans that have served and ensuring that women feel VA is also a place for them.

The female veteran's double shift

The world of COVID-19 is no stranger to me, as I lived it before 2020 and know firsthand what it's like to struggle with mental health when you are forced to stay home because of the danger the outside world holds.

In 2016, my son was diagnosed with leukemia. As a single mother, I was forced to quit my job because my son was so acutely immunocompromised that we could only leave the house for medical appointments. I was scared for my son, isolated from my loved ones, and spent every moment caring for him and my infant daughter. To say I was severely depressed is an understatement.
The VA's time bomb: A new VA wait-time scandal is brewing and we have no way to know how big it is
With the support of my family, I was able to receive the care I needed to persevere. But not everyone has that option. IAVA found 48% of their female members had experienced suicidal thoughts or ideation. Women veterans are almost twice as likely as civilian women to die by suicide, an astounding figure that further highlights the mental health vulnerabilities unique to veterans. VA health services must not only treat mental health symptoms once they appear but also address the root causes of these issues. Under the new administration, it's crucial to provide support services tailored to our unique needs.

The current pandemic has exacerbated the burden on women veterans, especially mothers, as they are forced to bear the mental, physical, and financial struggles of job loss and child care from a home environment. According to IAVA's survey, 38% of women veterans struggle financially and emergency financial assistance was the number one reason female veterans reached out to IAVA's peer support and care management program, the Quick Reaction Force. With the "double shift" of childcare and a career, mothers are facing extreme financial, physical, and social stress while they continue to provide for themselves and their families.

Providing safe and accessible care is the first step to building trust in the female veteran community. Without safety measures in place, women continue to be denied the care they need. While COVID-19 child care closures were inevitable, the VA needs to support female veterans and their families by expanding physical and mental health services, child care benefits, and safe housing opportunities for women veterans and their families.
Kaitlynne Hetrick is a government affairs associate at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
The veteran community would not be the same without the contributions of our female service members. It's past time we honor their legacy in return. It is crucial we recognize the unique issues our female veterans and service members face so the institutions they rely on can meet them with the support and respect that they have earned.

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Female veterans served America, but the VA system doesn't serve and protect them

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Last year was a year of landmark legislation for women veterans. After more than four years of legislative advocacy, Congress passed of the Deborah Sampson Act (DSA) was a significant step in recognizing the need for a more equitable and inclusive Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Yes and no. Veterans can go through physical and/or mental trauma during their service. When these veterans seek treatment from the VA healthcare or VA in general, you may not hear good things about the system like we all want. There's definitely room for improvement. Barriers for Female Veterans:

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Do female veterans face the problems as male veterans?

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Family members also receive benefits. This not only covers healthcare, but also burials, college education, pension, home loans, and so much more. Family Benefits:

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VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers

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Learn about VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers of Veterans and service members.

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You mentioned about family. Do family members also get benefits?

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There wasn't a link to homelessness on that particular page. Here's a Youtube video of the VA explaining homelessness. How to Help Homeless Veterans:

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The VA system also focuses on mental health and other big issues as well. Veterans may go through PTSD, depression, military sexual trauma, substance abuse, homelessness, and more. VA Mental Health and More:

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How do I talk to someone right now?

Find out how to get support anytime day or night.

If you're a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free, and available 24/7.
To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night: You can also:

Go to the nearest emergency room.

Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. It doesn't matter what your discharge status is or if you're enrolled in VA health care.
Find your nearest VA medical center

Get connected with mental health care-no matter your discharge status, service history, or eligibility for VA health care.

If you need support for a specific mental health problem-or if you're having problems sleeping, controlling your anger, or readjusting to civilian life-you are not alone. And we can help.
To access free VA mental health services right away:
You don't need to be enrolled in VA health care to get care.
Learn more about accessing VA mental health services
To connect with other resources for Veterans and transitioning service members:

If you're already using VA medical services, ask your primary care provider to help you make an appointment with a VA mental health provider.

If you're not already using VA medical services, contact your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center to talk about your needs.
Find your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center

You can call 877-222-8387 to find the right resources for your needs. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-877-8339.

We're here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

Yes. You may be able to use one or more of the care options listed below.

The Veteran Training online self-help portal for overcoming everyday challenges: You can use this portal's tools to help manage your anger, develop parenting and problem-solving skills, and more. The tools are based on proven mental health practices that have successfully helped other Veterans and families. The portal is free, and you don't have to sign in or provide any personal information to use the tools.
Visit the Veteran Training portal

Smartphone apps for Veterans: We've partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD) to create free smartphone applications you can use to help manage your physical and mental health. These include apps to help you deal with stress, quit smoking, and more.
Learn more about apps for Veterans (PDF)

The VA telemental health program: You can connect with a VA mental health provider through a computer or mobile device in your home or at your nearest VA health facility. If you're enrolled in VA health care, ask any of your providers to help connect you with our telemental health program.

Yes. The BeThere peer assistance program, in partnership with Military OneSource, offers support to service members (including National Guard soldiers and Reservists), their families, and transitioning Veterans up to 365 days after separation or retirement. Through this program, you can talk privately with peer coaches who are Veterans, service members, or military spouses.

To talk with a peer coach, call Military OneSource's free, confidential peer support services at 800-342-9647. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you're a combat Veteran, you can visit one of our Vet Centers to get free individual and group counseling for you and your family. You can access these services even if you're not enrolled in VA health care and aren't receiving disability compensation.
Vet Centers offer services such as:

Military sexual trauma (MST) counseling

Readjustment counseling

Bereavement (grief) counseling

Employment counseling

Substance abuse assessment and referral

Find a Vet Center near you
You can also call 877-927-8387 to talk with a fellow combat Veteran about your experiences, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

If you'd like to connect with other Veterans, families, and local services, you can visit our Make the Connection website. This site connects millions of Veterans, and their family members and friends, to local VA and community mental health resources. Visit the site to access these referral resources and hear Veteran testimonials of strength and recovery.
Go to Make the Connection

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VA mental health services | Veterans Affairs

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Find out how to access VA mental health services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs. You can use some services even if you're not enrolled in VA health care.

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If a patient or a family member asks about the pricing for medical treatments or hospital rates, you can tell them or have them look at this link. Copay Rates:

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View 2021 copay rates for VA and VA-approved health care.

We're canceling and refunding copayments for the following benefits:

All medical care received through VA between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021

All prescription medications received through VA between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021

Learn more about what this means for your copayments

Urgent care copay rates
(Care for minor illnesses and injuries)
There's no limit to how many times you can use urgent care. To be eligible for urgent care benefits, including through our network of approved community providers, you must:

Be enrolled in the VA health care system, and

Have received care from us within the past 24 months (2 years)

You won't have to pay any copay for a visit where you're only getting a flu shot, no matter your priority group.

Priority group

Copay amount for first 3 visits in each calendar year

Copay amount for each additional visit in the same year

* Special authorities include conditions related to combat service and exposures (like Agent Orange, active duty at Camp Lejeune, ionizing radiation, Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD/Project 112), Southwest Asia Conditions) as well as military sexual trauma, and presumptions applicable to certain Veterans with psychosis and other mental illness.

Outpatient care copay rates
(Primary or specialty care that doesn't require an overnight stay)
If you have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher

You won't need to pay a copay for outpatient care.

If you don't have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher

You may need to pay a copay for outpatient care for conditions not related to your military service, at the rates listed below.

Note: You won't need to pay any copays for X-rays, lab tests, or preventive tests and services like health screenings or immunizations.

Inpatient care copay rates
(Care that requires you to stay one or more days in a hospital)
If you have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher

You won't need to pay a copay for inpatient care.

If you're in priority group 7 or 8

You'll pay either our full copay rate or reduced copay rate. If you live in a high-cost area, you may qualify for a reduced inpatient copay rate no matter what priority group you're in. To find out if you qualify for a reduced inpatient copay rate, call us toll-free at 877-222-8387. We're here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

Note: You may be in priority group 7 and qualify for these rates if you don't meet eligibility requirements for priority groups 1 through 6, but you have a gross household income below our income limits for where you live and you agree to pay copays.
View the current VA national income limits

Note: You may be in priority group 8 and qualify for these rates if you don't meet eligibility requirements for priority groups 1 through 6, and you have a gross household income above our income limits for where you live, agree to pay copays, and meet other specific enrollment and service-connected eligibility criteria.
Learn more about priority groups
Medication copay rates

If you're in priority group 1

You won't pay a copay for any medications.

Note: You may be in priority group 1 if we've rated your service-connected disability at 50% or more disabling, if we've determined that you can't work because of your service-connected disability (called unemployable), or if you've received the Medal of Honor.
Learn more about priority groups
If you're in priority groups 2 through 8
You'll pay a copay for:

Medications your health care provider prescribes to treat non-service-connected conditions, and

Over-the-counter medications (like aspirin, cough syrup, or vitamins) that you get from a VA pharmacy. You may want to consider buying your over-the-counter medications on your own.

Note: The cost for any medications you receive while staying in a VA or other approved hospital or health facility are covered by your inpatient care copay.

The amount you'll pay for these medications will depend on the "tier" of the medication and the amount of medication you're getting, which we determine by days of supply. Once you've been charged $700 in medication copays within a calendar year (January 1 to December 31), you won't have to pay any more that year-even if you still get more medications. This is called a copay cap.

If you have a service-connected rating of 40% or less and your income falls at or below the national income limits for receiving free medications, you may want to provide your income information to us to determine if you qualify for free medications.
View the current VA national income limits Find out how we determine your health care costs
Geriatric and extended care copay rates

You won't need to pay a copay for geriatric care (also called elder care) or extended care (also called long-term care) for the first 21 days of care in a 12-month period. Starting on the 22nd day of care, we'll base your copays on 2 factors:

The level of care you're receiving, and

The financial information you provide on your Application for Extended Care Services (VA Form 10-10EC).

Download VA Form 10-10EC (PDF)

Level of care

Types of care included

Copay amount for each day of care

Level of care

Types of care included

Short-term or long-term stays in a community living center (formerly called nursing homes)

Overnight respite care (in-home or onsite care designed to give family caregivers a break, available up to 30 days each calendar year)

Overnight geriatric evaluations (evaluations by a team of health care providers to help you and your family decide on a care plan)

Copay amount for each day of care

Level of care

Types of care included

Adult day health care (care in your home or at a facility that provides daytime social activities, companionship, recreation, care, and support)

Daily respite care (in-home or onsite care designed to give family caregivers a break, available up to 30 days each calendar year)

Geriatric evaluations that don't require an overnight stay (evaluations by a team of health care providers to help you and your family decide on a care plan)

Copay amount for each day of care

Learn more about long-term care options
Services that don't require a copay

You won't need to pay a copay for any of the services listed below, no matter what your disability rating is or what priority group you're in.

Past rates

View health care copay rates for past years.

2020 rates (effective January 1, 2020)

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2021 VA health care copay rates | Veterans Affairs

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View 2021 copay rates for VA and VA-approved health care. We're canceling and refunding copayments for the following benefits: All medical care received through VA between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021 All prescription medications received through VA between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021 Learn more about what this means for your copayments (Care for minor illnesses and injuries) There's no limit to how many times you can use urgent care.

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This should cover the basics of what the VA healthcare system covers. The cool thing about the system is that you can also refill your prescriptions online, make telehealth appointments, etc. VA Healthcare Benefits:

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Each Veteran's medical benefits package is unique. Yours will include care and services to help:

Treat illnesses and injuries

Prevent future health problems

Improve your ability to function

Enhance your quality of life

All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, but only some will qualify for added benefits like dental care. The full list of your covered benefits depends on:

Your priority group, and

The advice of your VA primary care provider (your main doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant), and

The medical standards for treating any health conditions you may have

Learn more about priority groups
You should also know that being signed up for VA health care meets your Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage requirement of having "minimum essential health coverage." We'll update this site if the ACA changes with new laws.
Learn more about the ACA, VA, and you

We can help you learn about and apply for VA health care benefits. A member of our Concierge for Care (C4C) team will call you soon after your separation from military service. We can answer any questions you may have, process your application over the phone, and help you schedule your first VA medical appointment.
Learn about transitioning from TRICARE to VA health care

We cover preventive care services, like:

Health exams (including gender-specific exams)

Health education (including nutrition education)

Immunization against infectious diseases (like flu shots)

Counseling on genetic diseases (diseases that run in families)

We cover inpatient hospital services, like:

Surgeries

Medical treatments

Kidney dialysis

Acute care (short-term treatment for a severe illness or injury or after surgery)

Specialized care (including organ transplants, intensive care for mental and physical conditions, and care for traumatic injuries)
Review more VA medical and surgical specialty care services

We cover urgent and emergency care services, like:

Urgent or emergency care at some VA health facilities.
Find a VA health facility near you

Urgent care for injuries and illnesses that need attention right away, but aren't life threatening, at urgent care locations that are part of our contracted network. This may include care at a VA-approved:

Walk-in retail health clinic for minor illnesses like a sore throat or earache

Urgent care facility for more pressing (but not life-threatening) illnesses or injuries that require treatment like splinting, casting, or wound care

To use these services, you'll need to be enrolled in VA health care, and you'll need to have received care from us within the past 24 months. Be sure to tell the urgent care provider that you're using the VA urgent care benefit when you arrive.
Learn more about urgent care
Get advice on choosing between urgent and emergency care

Emergency care in a non-VA hospital, clinic, or other medical setting-only under certain conditions. For us to consider covering non-VA emergency care for a non-service-connected condition, you'll need to meet several requirements.
Learn more about non-VA emergency medical care

We cover other services and needs, like:
We may cover services that your VA primary care provider concludes you need to support your treatment (called ancillary services), like:

Tests used to diagnose health conditions, including blood work, X-rays, and ultrasounds

Therapy and rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, vision rehab, and therapy for traumatic brain injury

Additional services, including prosthetic items, audiology (care for hearing loss), and radiation oncology (cancer care)

You may be able to get help with some non-medical services, like:

Contact the patient advocate at the VA medical center where you go for care. Your patient advocate can help you get foreign language or American Sign Language services to help you or your family members understand your medical or health care benefits.

To find out how to reach the patient advocate at your VA medical center, go to the website of the VA health care system that the medical center is part of. In the page's navigation, click on "Patients & Visitors." A submenu will appear. Select "Patient Information" and then "Customer Service."
Find your medical center's website

These services aren't included in the VA medical benefits package under current regulations:

Cosmetic surgery, unless we conclude that it's medically necessary (needed to prevent or treat a certain illness, injury, condition, disease, or symptoms)

Gender-affirming surgical interventions
Learn more about gender-affirming surgery regulations on our patient care website

Health club or spa membership

Inpatient hospital or outpatient care if you're a patient or inmate in a non-VA government agency institution, if that agency must provide the care or services by law

Medicines and medical devices that aren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Exception: You can get VA health care for medicines and medical devices that aren't approved by the FDA if you're in an approved clinical trial. This exception also applies if you're seriously ill and your VA health care provider prescribes a new, unapproved medicine because there are no other comparable treatment options (called a compassionate use or expanded access exemption).

We'll fill prescriptions by a non-VA community provider only if you meet all these requirements.

All of these must be true:

You're enrolled in VA health care

You have an assigned VA primary care provider

You've given your VA provider your medical records from your non-VA provider

Your VA provider agrees with the prescription

Learn more about prescriptions from community providers

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About VA health benefits | Veterans Affairs

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Learn about the VA health benefits in your VA medical benefits package. Get details on Veterans medical benefits, like which services we cover, who will care for you, where you'll go for care, and how VA health care works with other insurance.

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Start with the VA healthcare system website. VA Healthcare System Info:

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Learn how to apply for and manage VA health care benefits for Veterans. We offer primary and specialty Veterans health care services, including home health, geriatric (elder), women's health, and mental health care, as well as prescriptions.

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That's very interesting. Is there a government system that helps take care of veterans, like healthcare?

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Here's something interesting I found. I know you mentioned avoiding insensitivity. What Not to Say to a Combat Veteran:

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This is a general guideline put together by former Sergeant Andi Westfall, who served with the National Guard as a medic during Operation Iraqi Freedom and who suffers with PTSD. These tips will be useful when interacting with a veteran and should not be considered absolutely true for every veteran. Each Soldier, Marine, Airman, Sailor or Coast Guardsman who has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Somalia or any other combat theater, has had a different combat experience. How they deal with their experience will vary depending on age, culture, faith, gender, community support, or lack of, and the presence of or lack of a family and/or social support system. A combat veteran is not the same person they were before being deployed to a combat theater and how the civilian population interacts with them can either help or hinder their very difficult transition.

1. Did you kill any anyone?

It would seem that common sense would deem this an inappropriate question, however this question is asked a lot. What purpose does this serve the individual asking this question knowing this about the veteran?

2. What was the nastiest or most disgusting thing you saw over there?

If the veteran wants to share this kind of detail they might, but ONLY after trust has been established. However, the chance they will want to relive the details of those events, which might be very traumatic, could be slim to none.

3. Are you glad to be home?

Consider for a moment what these words could be asking: "Are you glad that you are no longer in a situation where you are getting shot at, missiles being fired at you on a regular basis, the threat of your vehicle being blown up every time you get in it, sand storms and 140 degree temperatures?" It is also important to be aware that the veteran's homecoming was more traumatic than being at war. Some come home financially desolate because the person they trusted to take care of their finances spent ALL their money. Others come home thinking they will be welcomed by their spouse only to find they have been unfaithful, usually with someone close to them such as a brother and/or best friend, and they are being handed divorce papers. Unfortunately this happens quite often.

4. How are you doing?

This question should really only be asked when you are willing to stay and listen to the answer. Most likely the veteran doesn't know how they are doing and definitely may not know how to express it. It is okay not to know what to do with the answer because there isn't anything you can say to fix it or make it better. Just being there so the veteran can "debrief" for just a moment can be enough.

5. Did you see the news...? (And then proceed to go on and share what gruesome thing that has just happened in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, or how many Americans have been killed.)

The veteran has "lived" the news and doesn't need to relive it through the present media and certainly does not need to hear about it. The war is very personal to the veteran and most likely they know people still fighting and dying over there.)

6. Do you feel guilty about what you had to do over there, i.e., kill another human?

Just about any combat veteran will have some measure of guilt. Those who make it home alive, although grateful, have survivor's guilt. Those who participated in direct combat had to make decisions that ultimately resulted in taking human life, to include women and children. These individuals generally have tremendous guilt but may not know how to identify it let alone admit it.

7. Do you want to go get a drink?

This generally becomes a BIG problem later so do not be the one to help them start self-medicating and on the path to destruction with chemicals. Coffee is a much better addiction and easier to quit.

8. Do you want me to pray with you?

This should be automatic. You may not know what to pray for but the Holy Spirit knows what the veteran needs and will direct. And, the veteran may be very angry at God and the last thing they want is to commune with Him. So be discerning: if he/she says no, honor that - and don't ask "Why not?" unless you have already established a strong relationship of trust.

9. What do you think about the U.S. being over there and don't you think we should get out?

It is not a good idea to get started on the politics concerning the hell they were sent into and have just come out of. Their perspective, because of experience, is going to be very different than the average civilian getting their information from CNN.

10. What do you think of Obama? Bush?

Just a good idea to stay away from these types of questions! If they want to talk about it, let them bring it up. But, be prepared to hear a point of view you might not agree with. They have a different perspective because of their experience that has shaped their point of view.

11. Do you think God could ever forgive you?

There are people out there who are extremely opposed to the war and blame the military for the destruction and loss of life they see on TV. These individuals seem unable to distinguish between their politics and the individual Soldier. The veteran will have some measure of guilt no matter what their job was, so do not make it worse by helping them along with the notion they can never be forgiven for the things they had to do to protect themselves and their battle buddies.

12. Did you see any dead bodies?

Again, if the veteran should want to share this very intimate detail of their deployment they might. However, this may occur after time but be prepared that they just will not share.

13. Do not tell a veteran that you understand what they are going through and then share a story of when you hit your thumb with a hammer.

There really is no way to completely understand going to war unless you have also "been there, done that." There really is no experience you have had that can come close to the stress, terror, guilt and just plain hell of this type of event. However, God can use your trauma to extend compassion and empathy, which does not always require words. You don't have to understand what they've been through, but to recognize this was something incredibly painful for them will show the veteran that you do care.

14. DO NOT, even in a joking manner, tell a veteran that they should be grateful they made it home alive, they didn't die "over there" and they need to get "over it" and be happy.

There is already a VERY good chance that they wished they had been killed in action. Coming home is much more difficult that actually being in combat. The veteran knows what is expected of him or her during the heat of battle. They rely on training and the instinct to survive. There is no training manual for coming home and there is no debriefing that can fully prepare the veteran for how difficult it will be. As a result many desire to go back to Iraq or Afghanistan because they know who they are and how to survive in the civilian world. Then there are those who cannot deal with these pressures and consider suicide as the only option.

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What Not to Say to Combat Veterans (and Why) - Cru Military

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This is a general guideline put together by former Sergeant Andi Westfall, who served with the National Guard as a medic during Operation Iraqi Freedom and who suffers with PTSD. These tips will be useful when interacting with a veteran and should not be considered absolutely true for every veteran.

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I'm not sure what your stances are, but maintain professionalism. Veterans vs Peace Activists:

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Veterans And Peace Activists Seek To Find Common Ground | Middle Ground

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Also, remember that veterans are humans. The stories they tell are the things they've experienced, which can be extremely traumatizing. Killing During Wartime:

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Veterans Describe Killing During Wartime | On Killing: Season 1 | Cut

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Good question. The first thing we need to understand the military culture to better understand our patients. I found this hour-long module if you'd like to check it out. The link below is there. The background is just white. Military Culture in Primary Care:

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How exactly do we communicate with veterans as a healthcare worker? As nurses, we have to understand our patients, but we have to be sensitive.

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Personally, I took care of a Vietnam Veteran. He talked about the effects of Agent Orange. Instead of being angry by the outcome, he was disappointed. The veterans shown in this video linked below also expressed that they were disappointed. Effects of Agent Orange:

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Vietnam Veterans voice their struggle to survive Agent Orange

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Thank you! Have you had experiences taking care of a veteran?

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Here's an insight of the age/war difference between an older and younger veteran. Know that your patients may not be American. Treat all with respect. Old and Young Soldier:

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Old Soldier Meets Young Soldier | The Gap | @ladbiblestories

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Also, understand the timeline of the wars that went on and how it affects veterans. War Timeline and Health Issues:

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Certain health concerns may be more likely to affect Veterans who served in a specific time and place. Find out which health concerns you should be aware of depending on when and where you served.

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Veterans health issues related to service history | Veterans Affairs

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Learn about Veterans health issues that may be related to where and when you served. Find out what steps to take to care for your health and whether you may be eligible for VA health care and disability compensation.

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Of course! Glad to help. I think it'll be beneficial to familiarize the different branches of the military. Take a look at this website. US Military Branches:

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The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard are the armed forces of the United States. The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their services and operate in part under state authority..

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Hi, there. I have a few questions about working with veterans as a future nurse. I'm not sure what I need to know nor know which resources to look for. Can you help me?