Comments on: Helping http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/helping/ Community support for returning servicemembers Sun, 01 Aug 2010 10:27:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: A V Smith http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/helping/#comment-84 A V Smith Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:37:43 +0000 http://joiningforcesamerica.org/?p=68#comment-84 I think going out to the Veterans Organizations is a great idea. Even better would be going out and recruiting veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan wars to join local Veterans Organizations. I say that because from my personal experience many of the VFWs and the American Legions and other organizations are full of members from previous wars and previous service eras. That means that all of the issues that are being dealt with may or may not relfect the actual needs of the veterans emerging from Operation iraqi/Enduring Freedom. I have also found it quite tasking to promote membership because of those very same reasons. We need to work on how these organizations can be more attractive to the "new" soldiers/military. I think going out to the Veterans Organizations is a great idea. Even better would be going out and recruiting veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan wars to join local Veterans Organizations.

I say that because from my personal experience many of the VFWs and the American Legions and other organizations are full of members from previous wars and previous service eras. That means that all of the issues that are being dealt with may or may not relfect the actual needs of the veterans emerging from Operation iraqi/Enduring Freedom.

I have also found it quite tasking to promote membership because of those very same reasons. We need to work on how these organizations can be more attractive to the “new” soldiers/military.

]]> By: Will Wilson http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/helping/#comment-46 Will Wilson Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:15:28 +0000 http://joiningforcesamerica.org/?p=68#comment-46 I think we are starting to see the generation of m any great ideas. I think people are getting it. There is a lot any one of us could do -- the trick is believing that and moving forward. I have suggested that Capella could be a great place to centralize information and helping vets and families find places to get help and support. You are seeing some great ideas - in the initial posting here you saw the recommendation as to how mental health students might reach out to the vets. I think that's a great idea, and I think its important for these students to learn from the vets. What were their experiences; how do they think they were affected; what would be helpful to them; what is not helpful? We have some insight into these issues from the surveys, but we need to know more and we need to reach out and learn from them. I think we are starting to see the generation of m any great ideas. I think people are getting it. There is a lot any one of us could do — the trick is believing that and moving forward.

I have suggested that Capella could be a great place to centralize information and helping vets and families find places to get help and support. You are seeing some great ideas - in the initial posting here you saw the recommendation as to how mental health students might reach out to the vets. I think that’s a great idea, and I think its important for these students to learn from the vets. What were their experiences; how do they think they were affected; what would be helpful to them; what is not helpful?

We have some insight into these issues from the surveys, but we need to know more and we need to reach out and learn from them.

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