As an Iraq War veteran myself I'm pretty sick of these stories being what get headlines and pages of coverage about military members. People read these pieces and think it defines an entire generation of War Veterans. It doesn't. No hit on the authors, they all seem to be genuinely wanting to help/tell a compelling story - but I think it comes with some kind of fetish for war that they are trying to get in touch with. How about instead we talk about War Vets who are successful (or on their way)?
Here are a few of my personal friends:
Abraham Kamarck and Kevin Powell Army and Navy Vets. Founders True Made Foods:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robindschatz/2016/04/20/mission-...
Kim Jung and Emily Miller. Army Vets. Founders, Rumi Spice:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/11/business/smallbusiness/a-s...
Mike Janke. Navy Vet (SEAL). Founder Silent Circle:
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/1...
...and there are thousands starting and running their own businesses, charities, churches, schools, working at googamafacesoft etc...none of them looking for special treatment or special recognition. It's a part of our story that most of us are proud of, but it's not everything.
We take care of our own as best we can, and people fall through the cracks. The issues with the care system for vets isn't perfect, but it also takes effort on the part of those who need help, and those who aren't willing to help themselves and take advantage of those programs are the ones you hear about.
So lets stop treating our vets like they need special treatment - good or bad.
Here are a few of my personal friends:
Abraham Kamarck and Kevin Powell Army and Navy Vets. Founders True Made Foods:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robindschatz/2016/04/20/mission-...
Kim Jung and Emily Miller. Army Vets. Founders, Rumi Spice:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/11/business/smallbusiness/a-s...
Mike Janke. Navy Vet (SEAL). Founder Silent Circle:
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/1...
...and there are thousands starting and running their own businesses, charities, churches, schools, working at googamafacesoft etc...none of them looking for special treatment or special recognition. It's a part of our story that most of us are proud of, but it's not everything.
We take care of our own as best we can, and people fall through the cracks. The issues with the care system for vets isn't perfect, but it also takes effort on the part of those who need help, and those who aren't willing to help themselves and take advantage of those programs are the ones you hear about.
So lets stop treating our vets like they need special treatment - good or bad.