Effects after Serving The Country

Peacekeeping missions are stressful. Soldiers are always under stress from when they land at the mission country to the time they travel back home. The experience is life-changing, whether a member served for a single tour or went for more than five tours. After deployment, transition to civilian life takes a lot of adjustment.

Between 2011 and 2016, more than a million service members left the military to transition to civilian life. These members came back to a blend of challenges and opportunities. Those who came back strong from the service found so many opportunities while those who came back with psychological problems came home to challenges. 

It takes struggle to adjust to a new job, the freedom of not taking orders, life in a new city, and being surrounded by family.  But all is not lost as being in the military also comes with its fair share of rewards.

Strained Family Relationships

After spending so much time away and living a life that is so different from civilian life, service members find it challenging to adapt to life back home. Relationship problems start when veterans feel distant from their spouses and other family members. Even if they felt close before they left for a tour, they might feel distant and misunderstood. Opening up becomes difficult for veterans, and this strains their relationships more.

Research shows that veterans are more likely to divorce after deployment and not ever get into another relationship. The psychological challenges of being in the military contribute to the divorce rates.

Financial Constraints

More than 55 percent of service members are not financially ready to transition to civilian life. Most of them are likely to hold a credit card debt for so many months. The Obama administration tried to protect service members from loan sharks, but it still did not protect them adequately. 

It is challenging for military people to find a civilian job. The economic situation makes it challenging for millions of people to find employment. However, veterans have a unique problem. For starters, veterans cannot explain how their military skills translate to the workforce. Again, they will be competing with candidates who have been on the workforce for longer, and they may not have the required education or the skills.

Some employers avoid hiring veterans because they think they lack the necessary skills and have PTSD issues to deal with. Either way, the financial constraints of veterans start the moment they come home.

PTSD and Its Devils

More veterans suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than civilians. The traumatic events during the way make service members feel depressed, grief-stricken, angry, and anxious. Most of them have flashbacks and nightmares, and these keep them awake and make them less efficient at work. Because of being a lot most of the time while on service, it is challenging for veterans to adapt to civilian life as they are always alert most of the days.

The physical symptoms of PTSD can be devastating. They include pain, irregular heartbeats, headaches, panic, fear, depression, and diarrhea. Most of them use painkillers and drink much of the time.

The Bright Side of Service

All is not PTSD and problems after service. Some great rewards come with being in the military. After service, there is a chance you come out of the military with excellent skills. The military is responsible for training millions of professionals, including doctors, mechanics, lawyers, and many other professionals. Those who are ambitious enough will continue their career after service. Some companies, state governments, and the federal government give veteran job seekers preferential treatment.

Conclusion

The effects of serving can be devastating, but they can also be useful for ambitious people. The best way for veterans to survive is to find help whenever the need comes.