I was listening to talk radio on the way home and a story came on. The story was about how the rise in suicides of veterans rose in 2010 mostly among the Reserves and National Guard. I was not at all surprised when the real issues were not addressed and the ones addressed were convoluted.
Like the example that 50 percent had never seen “combat action.” I would like to see the facts and figures that generated that figure given by an official that is a member of the same system that denies aid, medical or otherwise to retuning vet from OIF or OEF. Like did those service members do a tour before 2010? What shape was that vet in medically? Did this vet return home to an empty house and an empty bank account only to find out his or her military, his or her command left them out to dry.
Why do I say that? Is this guy some kind of unpatriotic P.O.S.? No. No I am not. I am a returning veteran of OIF and other missions around the world . I serve my nation with pride and distinction and it pains me to tell you how we, veterans , are treated when we return home.
I can tell you what I have been though and continue to endure.
All of you who think that Socialized medicine is a great idea really need to flush out your head gear and listen.
We, in the military, have socialized medicine. We receive sub par medical treatment at best. That is if you can get it.
I returned home without being shot or blown to bits by an I.E.D. But many a hero drew their last breath in that land of stink and sand and did not come home. God Bless them and keep them and their families forever changed. I will speak for them as long as I can draw breath.
Imagine, just imagine, if you have a true and genuine medical concern. Imagine if you are ignored. Imagine if you have to fight every step of the way to see a quack military doctor to get a diagnosis. This horse doctor wants you to stay conscious for a internal surgical biopsy. He tries to lecture you and how its no big deal. A second medical officer could not even get a good stick. The whole thing was a fiasco and of course with all the diagnostic imaging indicating otherwise, “You should be alright” was the answer.
You can't sue for gross incompetence or malpractice, remember, this is military medicine. I would not quit and had again to fight to see a civilian specialist and found out what I already knew. The diagnosis was conclusive. I was told I have a multi-system multi-organ disease of a cause unknown that may or will kill me... and you do realize that this quack military doctor , I had seen before, wanted to return me to full duty so they could wash me out with a other than honorable discharge for not maintaining the standard?
I am still fighting for compensation, I am still trying to get money owed for per Diem and BAQ to no avail, even after contacting a Senator. Imagine all this when you, as the diligent and prepared service member have continually reminded your chain of command that you need to be placed on orders for medical evaluation.. and I am, to summarize, dumped off orders anyway.
As the bills pile up, as the payments are missed, as foreclosure is a very real possibility, as you try your damnedest to get a job, you get to hang, because you are "just" a Reservist.. Now just imagine if you were me and you lose everything and nobody seems to give a flying foxtrot?
Thank God I have a support net to catch me and I am not at the end of my rope yet. Now imagine if you didn't and after giving your all to the military, the government , you don't get a damn thing in return.
Because you are a "just" a Reservist... you are "just" a Guardsman. Your just an administrative annoyance, a cost they will try any and every means necessary not to pay out on. Your just a number they would like to make zero... so you will just go away. Once you are off over 31 day orders you don't exist to them. This is the reality many of us face daily. Welcome to the world of our real.
Now, you have some idea as to why the suicide rate among Reservist and National Guard rose in 2010.
Now, you don't know the half of it.
