How to Help Veterans Re-enter Society

Chaplain Justin Roberts was one of my writing students. He was part of "The Hornets Nest" (you can watch via Netflix). Here he talks with Darrell Bock about helping returning veterans re-enter society.

Coast Guard Day: August 4

How timely. It's Coast Guard Day. And former Coast Guard wife Jocelyn Green has authored another resource for military families: Faith Deployed…Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody Publishers, July 2011). With the help of twenty-eight contributing authors from every branch of the military, she has produced this devotional book that follows her award-winning book, Faith Deployed (Moody, 2008). Even before, but especially since, September 11, 2001, deployments and troops have served as a staple of our daily news diet. Now Faith Deployed…Again addresses the timeless need for spiritual encouragement among our heroes at home. In it Jocelyn answers a few questions about her passion for supporting military wives. Here are a few samples: If the troops are coming home soon from Afghanistan, do we still really need this book? Yes. Faith Deployed…Again encourages military spouses during all the seasons of a career, regardless of where they stand in the deployment cycle. Only one of the book’s eight sections is devoted to deployments. The military lifestyle brings plenty of other challenges even without deployments. The biblical concepts illustrated in the book will strengthen and encourage military wives during times of both peace and war. What challenges may go unnoticed by civilians? When the deployment ends and the husband comes home, it’s not always “happily ever after.” The family faces a big adjustment period, and many times reintegration is more difficult than the deployment itself, especially if the returning spouse is dealing with combat-trauma stress. Since every relocation comes as a result of the active duty member’s orders, it’s difficult to avoid feeling like “just a tag-along.” Multiple moves and deployments call for stamina and perseverance. Many spouses are energized by the frequent moves, but it’s also exhausting to learn one’s way around new communities every two or three years. Faith Deployed . . . Again addresses these issues and more. How can civilians provide support? · Offer some ideas of what kind of help you can give, perhaps in the form of a coupon booklet for free babysitting, homemade cookies, a coffee date, running errands, or an hour or two of housework. · Find out what’s broken and fix it. Computer problems are a big deal, especially since so many couples rely on e-mail or webcams to communicate. If the car breaks down, offer rides. · Mow the lawn, pull weeds, and clean out gutters. Do those seasonal tasks that the deployed spouse would have done. · Bring a meal over. That’s one less thing a stressed-out spouse would have to think about. · Make a quick phone call. “I’m thinking about you.” · Drop off a basket of favorite foods and/or a movie rental. · Pray. You could also give a copy of Faith Deployed . . . Again! For reviews, author bios, and a free excerpt, go here.

Interview with Tom Neven: On the Frontline

One of my journalism students, a retired military officer, wrote a glowing review of the book, On the Frontline by Tom Neven. A month later at a luncheon in Colorado Springs, I ended up sitting next to the author. So I asked if I could interview him about his work, which is, as its subtitle says, “a guidebook for the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges of military life.”

What drove you to write On the Frontline?

I served seven years in the Marine Corps at the end of the Vietnam era, and I’ve had a special place in my heart for the military ever since. I understand the pressures our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen face. I wanted to be able to give a bit of perspective to people immersed in this culture from someone who was once there, too.

What is your main message?

If only one message emerges from this book, I want it to be Semper Fidelis. Yes, this is the Marine Corps’ motto, but its meaning—Always Faithful—describes God perfectly. He is true to His word and his promises as found in Scripture. Lean on this aspect of God; it helps a lot when the pressure’s on.

What are some of the problems those returning from war face? Why?

The great hidden problem, the one many don’t want to admit or talk about, is depression. I’m not talking about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which is a big problem in itself. I’m talking about the day-in, day-out, low-grade depression that feels like a bag of wet cement weighing down your very being. Its causes are many: stress, long hours, anger, grief and fear. Did I mention stress? The problem is compounded by a military culture in which some are not willing to admit to hurting from something that can’t be “seen” or “touched.” There’s no shame in admitting to suffering depression and seeking help from a chaplain or medical officer.

Second is the strain on marriages. The divorce rate has skyrocketed among the military, this from an already high rate before Iraq and Afghanistan. Long deployments are tough on marriages, and the strains of combat, fatigue, and depression add to the stress.

How can the average person help?

First and foremost, pray. Even if you don’t personally know someone serving in uniform, pray. Soldiers and Marines have told me they take great comfort from knowing that people they might never know or meet are still interceding for them.

Next: send care packages! Hard candy, toothpaste, reading material, Bibles, music CDs, DVDs, shaving cream, baby wipes (it’s sometimes a long time between showers!), razors—all these are greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tom.

For info on care packages, click here. And consider including a copy of Tom's book.