The Importance Of Military Service In The Military

Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one

Serving the United States Military comes with many responsibilities as well as pressure and accountability. However, the military isn’t for everyone, but it offers so much for those who serve. One thing that must be known and dealt with is that this career could be a life threatening one, and there are many obstacles one must go through beforehand.

Over the years the military has gotten really big if you ask me which is really good because the best of the best are right now defending this country we call home. “ The services are far more technically complex today and the eligibility standards for military service are now so high that probably less than half of the draft-age population would qualify. Moreover, the services would have to be significantly restructured to even accommodate and train large numbers of draftees. At present there is no foreseeable need for massive ground forces to fight large-scale expeditionary wars. While there will always be a potential need for some boots on the ground, they will likely be largely limited to training, logistical and special forces. If volunteers should prove insufficient in some future emergency, male draftees could easily satisfy the shortfalls. If, in some dire future emergency, even more military personnel were needed, the issue could be revisited ”(Jr., J.F. Kelly. ). Which is a good thing because we as a nation know that only the best of the best are put into action, meaning they have to be both mentally and physically prepared for anything that comes their way cause it's either kill or be killed when it comes down to a full on attack, at any point people can be drafted and it just makes things easier when they’re men in a sense it's a lot less stressful to them. Only the strong survive when it comes to the military.

Many veterans are underserved and need tremendous help. Due to increased deployment and the veteran population increasing; there is a large demand for social workers to provide them with supportive services. Many veterans struggle with readjusting to civilian life after deployment, while others struggle with invisible mental wounds from war trauma. Unfortunately, many of these veterans are returning to the United States without adequate support services and their human rights are being compromised. The social work profession is dedicated to serving the nation’s veterans. Social workers strive to empower the veteran population and support recovery to meet each and every individual need.

The OPORD 14-83 is the federal level regulation in the Military that addresses the issue of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, depression and suicide. These health issues are not new phenomena’s, especially in the military health system. PTSD can be dated back to WWI, when it was simply called “shell-shocked”. However, with the co-occurring Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the number of soldiers returning with mental health concerns, this issue has been pushed to the forefront of the media. Every shooting, suicide, or homicide involving a service member, the news makes a point that these service members must have gone untreated. Even the president of the United States passed an executive order to address the mental health crisis (Executive order, 2012). It is alarming that RESPECT-Mil and the OPORD 14-83 are not discussed in conjunction with the numerous news stories about ailing service members. No major editorial or newspaper has discussed this policy, however, more targeted sources such as Medical Daily, local base papers such as the Ft. Campbell Courier. Huffington Post online was the most publically broadcasted article about the policy. The article titled Military Mental Health Care: One Size Does Not Fit All, was written by Dr. Engel in 2010 and updated in 2011. In this article, he praised and discussed what he described as the high-quality specialized care program that is mandated in all Army primary care clinics (Engel, C. 2010).However, this article was not in regards to

military who understand the difficulties of readjusting to civilian life after being conditioned into service. Although some have the support of family friends, it’s not always the case for those who undergo extended service for the United States. After serving a certain amount of time for the United States, it only seems fair that veterans should be able experience an easier transition and at least be provided with easier access to care for possible psychological trauma and other behavioral needs.

Countless men and women of war come home broken and battered daily, not knowing in which direction their lives will turn. There are Veterans who have become Disabled in the wars when they went to fight for the United States of America. After fighting for this country, many Veterans come home to fight physically or emotionally with their battle wounds or mental illnesses created from enduring the stress and pressure or war. Along with the side affects of war, Veterans come home to a health care system that constantly has failed to meet their needs. It is heartrending to watch the health care system fail, when it was designed to protect servicemen, but instead hinders them.

The United States of America has one of the largest military forces on earth, employing nearly 1.5 million active personnel (Armed Forces). However, that number represents more than just a dedicated group; it represents citizens that will eventually become veterans and transition back into civilian life. For some this comes easily, but for others the struggles impede their ability to thrive. These hurdles can include the following: physical and psychological ailments; difficulties finding support; and trouble affording necessary treatment. In order to improve upon this lacking state of veteran care in the U.S., the government needs to expand current services within health care, as well as research new ways to make re-entry into everyday life

Returning service members had issues such as “getting along with one’s spouse and children, taking care of one’s health and belonging in civilian society”. These matters create crucial tension in the service member’s and the family member’s life in addition to daily life as a civilian. (Kovatch, 2013) A study was done for both Army and Marines returning from combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). It was reported that 18% of active service members and 21% of Reserves and National Guard members had a “positive screen for mental health concerns on the Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA).”

There are a lot of graduates fresh out of high schools that make the decision to use the military. There are some people that join the military because that is a fast and easy choice for them. The military gives everyone a wide variety of options. College for instance, the military allows you to serve your country and still have time to attend college and get a degree if you choose to do that. People that choose to join the military get the option to go to college anytime they feel during their military career. The military pays for part or all the tuition. The military has four different branches, Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines. Each branch offers different trades. Air Force for example, teaches people to fly, have mechanical skills,

In recent years there has been much dispute over the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, on the armed forces. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a medical condition that affects the physiology of the brain. It commonly affects those who have experienced or witnessed stressful events, such as war. PTSD was generally referred to as “shell-shock” in the military, until an improved and more inclusive definition of the disease was discovered. Wartime environments contain a multitude of factors which are all potential causes of PTSD such as duress accredited to resounding explosions, pressure to survive, being far from home, and moral injury. Even though PTSD manifests itself so frequently in soldiers, there is little care provided for treatment of PTSD. This is a dangerous issue considering the close link between PTSD, suicide, and depression. Readily available, empathetic, and compassionate health care is a necessity for combatting this illness. Soldiers fight to protect the lives of American citizens, and deserve to be protected by those for whom they fought. The military should provide more funding, and better, more available health care for their soldiers because of the rise of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the armed services and the unfavorable effects it has on the armed services.

Since the beginning of the new world, Americans have fought for their beliefs and inalienable rights. Courageous individuals, thrown into battle each year, fight for ideas they may or may not believe in. The battles turn out to challenge nothing compared to the violent wars spawning in their minds. Many believe that the mental health care of the American soldier undergo neglection. Mentally-ill and unprepared soldiers serve on the battlefront in order to meet the high demand of attrition. Soldiers’ go home unable to cope, and situate back into their families. Troops, often discharged because of distracting behavior resemble the truth of the military system. This “behavior” turns out to be nothing less than severe cases of PTSD. Now with their

Recently a study has been carried by the American Army on the health of the military troops that have just returned from Iraq. It has been found that one in every right soldier is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Another important fact mentioned in the report is that more than half of the military soldiers from these are in a need of help but do not make their conditions public as they could be suspended from the army that can hurt their careers.

Healthy People 2020 objectives are “increase the proportion of adults who self-report good or better physical and mental health” (2016). The physical and mental healths not just affect the soldier but there is a ripple effect on peers, community, and the family.

Being in the military is a huge commitment and requires a lot of dedication. A military man must sacrifice a lot in his life. My hat goes off to all those in the military who have laid down their lives for our country. The life of a military depends on the job they uphold and the branch they are a part of. The different branches are the Army, Air force, Navy, Coast guard, and Marines. One of the most commonly thought of jobs in the Air force is being a pilot. The Air force is known own skies and flying planes. This is one of the biggest and important jobs in the Air force. Tate, Robert F who wrote "When Doing Your Job Means Serving Your Country: An Air Force Pilot Takes Pride in the Duties Asked of Him. Gives examples and mentions the flying aspect and what Air force pilots do that are mentioned later in the paper. Another job in the military is an Army infantryman. When most think of the Army they think of boots on the ground. Men fights is the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan for freedom. This is a common job that people associate with the Army. Both jobs are very important, and the military relies on both of them heavily to get the job done and make our country safe.