Comparing The Gi Bill And Expanding Higher Education Benefits For Military Service Members And Veterans

Evidence regarding PTSD and depression resulting from war are non-existent within the military’s enrollment pleas and promotional posters. Tom Brokaw, however, has proved that many soldiers are able to execute successful lifestyles and businesses without suffering the effects of PTSD or other military

This paper explores post-traumatic stress and how it is seen as a disorder. Post-traumatic stress can manifest into post-traumatic stress disorder. The evaluation and review books and articles seem to reveal a relation to these symptoms and military member, either active or non-active veterans. These symptoms do not manifest strictly into the full-extent of the disorder in all cases of military, however, things such as depression and other physical symptoms are discussed through the readings. The end result is that we discovered that through the readings PTSD will in fact lead to suicide if left untreated.

The main problem discovered is military members are experiencing psychological problems from stressors due to deployments and not seeking help for their discomforts. Many of the military members returning

The G.I. Bill would undergo several legislative changes. On March 28, 1970 President Richard Nixon signed the Veterans Education and Training Amendments Act (Mosch, 1971, p. 280). The act introduced two new provisions. The first introduced a rate increase of 34.6% (Mosch, 1971, p. 280). The second, eliminated most duplication prohibitions (Mosch, 1971, p. 280). The G.I. Bill would again be modified in July of 1985 and adopting the name of its Alabama representative sponsor Sonny Montgomery (Simon et al., 2010, p. 1008). The most recent of amendments to the G.I. Bill came in the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill for short (Hitt, Sternberg, Wadsworth, Vaughan, Carlson, Dansie & Mohrbacher, 2015, p. 536). This amendment increased previous educational benefits and expanded the number of

The study of psychology refers to collective trauma as the effect experienced by many people in the aftermath of a tragedy or event. The pain of collective traumatic disorders is common among soldiers who experienced military combat, but has the potential to affect an entire community. Although, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can alter relationships with the family and the community, future generations will not have to endure combat directly to experience collective trauma. Many Veterans suffering from PTSD might shy away from others due to stigmas associated with the diagnosis. Some might have difficulty concentrating, or have guilty feelings, cannot find work, feel helpless, fearful, or have a loss of interest in usual activities. All

Rates of trauma and mental illness are reported to be disproportionately higher among American veterans, especially those of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The barriers to care after civilian reentry further disadvantage this already vulnerable population. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the longest sustained US military operations since the Vietnam era, sending more than 2.2 million troops into battle and resulting in more than 6,600 deaths and 48,000 injuries. Veterans are at risk mental health challenges, as well as family instability, elevated rates of homelessness, and joblessness. Veterans have disproportionate rates of mental illness, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma.

When considering the education levels of veterans, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reports that female veterans are more likely to have a college education than males. The study shows that around 43.3% of female veterans have had some college experience while only 36.5% male veterans have had been exposed to a college education. When compared, female veterans are also more likely to have a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree than men veterans (bachelor’s: 20.8% female to 15.9% male; advanced degree: 13.8% female to 10.7% male).

99). Similarly, both articles mentioned PTSD symptoms as being a barrier overlapping with depression. Baker, Kilmer, Lemmer, Goldsmith, and Pittman (2012) provided more in-depth information that focused primarily on PTSD and depression as to where Connor et.al (2013) looked into more barriers other than the overlapping symptoms as being reasons for barriers for treatment in combat veterans.  Baker et. al (2012) examined 2 significant mental  health issues including PTSD and depression in OEF/OIF combat veterans in their entire research study.  These researchers found that health related quality of life (HRQoL) is highly affected in both disorders. Although the study used a clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) as well as standardized and structured interviews conducting to the DSM-5 criteria, the fact alone remains that the overlapping symptoms could be difficult for veterans to understand. The participants in this study consisted of 200 OEF/OIF veterans who completed an interview as well as self-report questionnaires. The sample included 95% men, 45% active duty, 55% veteran; ages 19-52, median 27%; 77% non-Hispanic/Latino, and 80% white. The findings revealed that PTSD and depression have overlapping symptoms as anhedonia, concentration, and insomnia. In conclusion, the results from the

Veterans transitioning from the rigorous and demanding lifestyle of active duty to a blue collar nine to five face unique obstacles that if go unchecked can have substantial on their mental health and over all well-being. It’s no secret that PTSD has been a hot button issue in recent years. It’s a term that has become synonymous with those serving tours in combat zones such as Iraq an Afghanistan. This mental condition brings with it a plethora of symptoms including depression, anxiety and insomnia. Not to mention high levels of stress that can have varying effects from person to person. PTSD can also come as a result of occupations outside of the military such as police, fire fighters and health care workers. This essay will be exploring how

Brian Albrecht, in his article "Families share the pain of veterans' PTSD" (2013), informs the reader of the effects of ptsd war veterans on their family, children and spouses that may cause higher levels in stress and anxiety. Brian supports his assertion by providing the reader with factual evidence of PTSD war veterans from credible resources, such as "This ‘secondary PTSD’ can include distress, depression and anxiety, said the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD" ( Albrecht). The purpose of this article is to inform the reader of the negative effects that ptsd war veterans may inflict in their family and children, in order to treat and prevent higher levels of stress and anxiety throughout the family. The authors creates

Resnik et al. (2012) states that for many combat exposed veterans, the return to civilian life and the reintegration into society can be daunting. Resnik, et al. (2012), states that veterans returning from war zone deployments are often experiencing a feeling of estrangement from their families and communities. New research suggests that these feelings of estrangement are linked to the familial bonding in the military culture (Ahern, Worthen, Masters, Lippman, Ozer & Moos, 2015). Ahern et al. (2015) also determined that while veterans frequently referred to civilian life as “normal”, they no longer perceived civilian life as normal, but

According to (Fischner, et al., 2016), military beliefs of self-reliance, stoicism, and manliness were reasons why veterans did not seek treatment. With the above-mentioned beliefs, the military norms played a role that prevented a least one individual from this study to seek mental health treatment. The gentlemen, who came from an infantry background, stated that mental health was a taboo subject and that seeking treatment was a sign of failure. Another veteran stated that he was embarrassed to seek mental health treatment and this veteran was afraid others would find that he was indeed seeking mental health treatment but if privacy was promised and maintained he was fine with seeking treatment (Fischner, et al., 2016). This is an indication that providers need to ensure that veterans understand HIPPA and confidentiality laws when they do seek treatment so that these fears are eased. Another belief that this study identified showed is that military beliefs emphasized the need to not show any weakness and to facilitate independence (Fischner, et al., 2016). According to (McCaslin, Leach, Herbst, & Armstrong, 2013), military beliefs have origins in service, respect, honor, and order as well as comradeship amongst military members. The loss of a veteran’s social network in a combination of having to locate housing, healthcare, and source of income can cause an insurmountable hardship for the returning veteran (McCaslin, Leach, Herbst, & Armstrong,

Military Pathway (2013) concluded “Military life, especially the stress of deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult”. Hence, it is not surprising that soldiers returning from a stressful war environment often suffer from a psychological condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This paper provides a historical perspective of PTSD affecting soldiers, and how this illness has often been ignored. In addition, the this paper examines the cause and diagnosis of the illness, the changes of functional strengths and limitations, the overall effects this disease may have on soldiers and their families, with a conclusion of

The intended purpose of this study was to describe and understand the identity development of student veterans as they transitioned from active duty service members to students at a higher educational institution. This study was “phenomenological” in nature and focused on seven individual, veteran, full time students completing their first undergraduate degree at CU Denver. Despite the increased number of student veterans on campus, there remains a continued lack of understanding regarding this section of the student population at colleges across the United States and as I learned, here at CU Denver as well. It is important that campus administrators have a solid understanding of student veterans’ needs and experiences in order to better assist them while they are here at CU Denver. In my study I concentrated on the actual experiences of seven student veterans attending college full time. This method was chosen because of its in-depth interview nature and the focus on participants’ lived experiences and worldviews. Veterans have detailed life experiences that are often not understood by non-veterans so in explaining some of my findings we civilians could have problems relating or understanding. Because of the time limitations involved in this project, interviewing a larger number of participants was not feasible, especially considering the attention to detail required for personal, one-on-one discussions. Furthermore, since the study focused on student veteran identity

T. Stecker, J. Fortney, F. Hamilton, and I. Ajzen, 2007, address that mental health symptoms have the likelihood to increase within post deployment for military veterans, especially for the ones who have seen combat. An estimated quarter of recent war veterans who are currently receiving care in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System have reported mental health problems. Soldiers who have served in Iraq come home suffering from depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Statistics of Iraq soldiers meeting the criteria for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is greater than the soldiers who served in Afghanistan. The mental health symptom rates for soldiers who served in Iraq were as high as 20% for PTSD, 18% for anxiety, and 15% for depression.