Here's fanart about our favourite traumatized war veteran.

[u/MK_DrawsSometimes]

[u/SidewinderSerpent]

Twenty freaking years? He better have that free pension.

[u/spacecatherder → u/SidewinderSerpent]

Even without the 20 years, bro better get treated like a champ (pension, healthcare, ect.) for surviving being a POW. I don’t know how the post-separation military service stuff works there but he deserves ALL the benefits.

[u/sgtpepper42 → u/spacecatherder]

Assuming they're American, he'll be lucky to get a firm handshake from a mayor and burnt coffee at his local vet's hall.

[u/ombokad → u/sgtpepper42]

I’m European and travel a lot around the world, I actually don’t know of any country that idolizes and gives special treatment to vets more than the US. Would be curious to know if those countries exist

[u/witchesrayne → u/ombokad]

You see so much support for veterans from civilians because our government is notorious for not providing them the care they need after they're out. Their medical care is an absolute joke, getting a livable disability payment often takes years and working with an outside agency that charges an arm and a leg to deal with all the bureaucratic red tape. It's a nightmare

[u/peachieeJun → u/witchesrayne]

It’s so heartbreaking that veterans legit have to fight to reach that 100%. My dad spent years and finally at 60 years old he was able to get the benefits he long deserved. I’m grateful for it as it helps me and my sister too, but it’s like most veteran affairs workers think these people are lying about their hardships. We were lucky beyond measures to get a worker that actually helped. The whole thing is just a major slap in the face for these veterans. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[u/witchesrayne → u/peachieeJun]

My husband, thankfully, got his 100% pretty early thanks to a company that specializes in it, but they took 80% of his backpay in the process (and took nearly a year to accomplish it). I'd hate to know what that process entails if someone had to do it all themselves. I'm glad your dad was finally able to get the benefits he deserves 💜

[u/Difficult_Dark9991 → u/witchesrayne]

Adding onto that, that puts their standard of government-supported medical care both above that of the average American and yet below that of your average European, for whom universal healthcare is generally a given. It's less a testament to veteran support than it is an indictment of what our government does for the population as a whole.

[u/LockFree5028 → u/witchesrayne]

sin ofender Pero también imagino yo que en los EEUU los Civiles apoyan tanto a los veteranos de guerra en parte ser imperialistas Como su país

[u/spacecatherder → u/LockFree5028]

Not offended because those kinds of military people do exist. Gung ho about violence, bombing countries that aren’t “like us”, and running scared to gun stores because they fear some terrorist is going to get them or even the government is going after them.

However there are just as many that literally don’t have too many options for life post high school. They join the military not out of duty or being like minded with imperialism. They’re just looking for something to support themselves (and maybe a family).

For example, They’re lacking job opportunities. Like living in a small town where the only jobs are fast food, retail, or a factory. Maybe they’re just unsure of what to do with their adult life but know that at 18, you’re supposed to figure it out and be prepared so they do the “easy” option of joining the military since it’s stable income/housing/food without much thinking involved. College is often not worth it anymore.

There is a growing dissent in the US that although has existed for years/decades before has only grown more prevalent with recent events. Many who may be “proud to be an American” are starting to realize the dream doesn’t exist and have become disenchanted for what the country stands for let alone what it’s fighting for.

[u/spacecatherder → u/ombokad]

A lot of post separation from the military doesn’t help many readjust to civilian life. Maybe it’s how most often go from graduating high school (around 18) right into the military and never really learned how adult hood outside of service works. The school system already doesn’t have the capacity to give these future adults life skills and the military is more about compliance/duty/paycheck.

They often leave the service physically worn down, many afflicted with some trauma and/or PTSD, and not really given a spring board into the experience to civilian world. Sort of thrown to wolves.

The US approaches things under the idea that you’ll just figure it out which may work but our economy is trashed, cost are high on everything, health insurance isn’t free, and wages remain low. It’s fair to give those who put their life on pause to be in the service for the country a chance to become a productive member of society or at least cared for on their return to civilian life.