Pulling the Needs of Combat Veterans from the Shadows

As the United States distanced itself from the battlegrounds of Afghanistan, so too has public attention to the challenges faced by post-9/11 combat veterans similarly faded. These brave men and women, who once frontlined our Nation's security, now battle shadows within the American psyche—shadows where their profound search for purpose, meaning, and community are obscured. More importantly, addressing these needs is not about fixing something that’s broken, but nurturing the seeds of resilience and strength that lie within our veterans, ready to thrive – because thriving veterans make America stronger.

These veterans bring home not only the scars of battle but also incredible strength forged under the most challenging circumstances. This strength, however, often remains underutilized as they transition to civilian life—a transition that involves not just "reintegration" but the quest for a new opportunity to thrive and lead. Our veterans are not seeking to regain a place in society; they are ready to create a new, impactful chapter in their lives, using their unique attributes, skills, and perspectives to enrich their lives and strengthen our communities and our Nation.

At the heart of this transition is the need to recognize and empower the identity transformation from military to civilian life. It's about finding new purpose and community—elements that are essential not just for survival but for thriving. These veterans are not fading shadows in our societal periphery; they are untapped beacons of leadership and innovation.

Research highlights how the loss of structured military community, mission, and purpose can lead to feelings of isolation. The immense sense of loss that veterans face after leaving the military has wreaked havoc on our veteran community, resulting in an epidemic of veteran suicide and the loss of four times more veterans and service members to suicide than all those lost to combat in the post-9/11 era.

Yet, it also shows us the immense potential for what psychologists call 'post-traumatic growth'—the ability to gain strength and reach new levels of personal and communal thriving precisely because of the challenges faced.

As the Nation's attention has turned elsewhere, philanthropic support has not aligned with the scale of these needs. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Americans in the first quarter of 2023 donated one thousand times more dollars to colleges and universities than to all veterans' causes combined. This disparity is not just a funding gap—it is a gap in recognition and responsibility.

This Veterans Day, let's reshape our perspective. Gratitude for our veterans’ service is not enough. Nonprofit veteran service organizations that are truly empowering veterans to thrive need you’re your time, talent, and treasure. The need to empower veterans to thrive didn’t evaporate when we withdrew from Afghanistan. Supporting our veterans is more than a moral duty—it's a national imperative. Thriving veterans bring leadership, resilience, and a unique perspective that can drive innovation and community building. Their thriving is our thriving; their strength bolsters our national resilience.

We must rally—not as disparate communities but as a united Nation—to provide the support needed for veterans to not just adapt but lead and inspire. Let us harness the immense potential of our veterans for post-traumatic growth, making America not only stronger but more cohesive, resilient, and forward-looking. Let this be our commitment—not out of pity, but out of profound respect and recognition of what our veterans are poised to contribute to our collective future.

Written by WQW CEO Brian Gilman