There are several reasons why veterans need to join together. Upon leaving the military veterans can lose the structure and support of the military. This structure and support had met their lower-level physiological and safety needs.
No longer will the military provide food, housing, healthcare, and similar resources. There are no military helpers, drill sergeants, or unit leaders like the ones who were available when one transitioned to a new unit. There is no Department of Defense organization in your hometown to assist you with completing your transition of tasks.
There are fewer peers, supervisors, family members, and colleagues with whom you can relate to during and after transition.
The United States military has the unique ability to define brotherhood (sisterhood), not in words, but in actions. Every day these men and women are challenged and sometimes put into situations where the camaraderie builds itself, and the men and women are able to build each other up.
It is the call to duty, the ideals, and the shared title of being an American and believing in what that means, that truly binds the servicemen and women together, across all five branches. The choices especially in times of conflict and in dangerous situations are sometimes as difficult as life or death. The brotherhood that embraces is instilled in, and propagated among the U.S. armed forces. This makes a natural choice between yourself or another.
There is no greater rapport than that shared among the service members. No doubt military camaraderie is something special ranking as what vets miss the most when they transition to the civilian world. Though vets move on, they don’t have to lose these relationships, and should not be willing to give them up.
Military camaraderie is strongest among veterans who served together. However, it also exists universally between all veterans. Despite any generational differences, when you meet a veteran there is an instant kinship and common ground. Welcome the connection.
Camaraderie is very important in our fellowship and brotherhood. As such it needs to be carefully guarded. It is naturally stronger among those in the different veteran organizations. However, it still needs to be guarded and respected. One of the most important acts is discussing your problems with another veteran, and speaking with him/her about it. Do not tell anyone else or you may be harming that bond.
If we are brothers we need to show that when we respect and love our brothers as we did back in the service. True, our lives are not at risk as they might have been in combat, but our reputation is at risk when we talk out of turn about another brother/sister. So let’s be true brothers and work and live together, helping out fellow comrades every chance we can.
Help is available to you by calling the local VA hospital in Northport, (631) 261-4400 or Veterans Crisis Line 1.800.273.8255, press 1 to talk to a veteran or have a confidential chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text to 838255.
If you have any question relating to veteran problems please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to answer it. Contact us at Drfred72@Gmail.com.
Rev. Frederick Miller, Ph.D.