Returning Vets Need Understanding
In America everyone is supposed to be equal in the eyes of the law. But we’ve got a growing group, a particular class of defendants entering American courtrooms who I believe need special consideration. They are soldiers returning from war.
Several studies conclude that between 30% to 40% of the approximately 1.6 million vets of Iraq and Afghanistan will “face serious mental-health injuries” like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and problems from traumatic brain injuries. Experts in the field report both those conditions are linked to anti-social and criminal behavior.
Now, to me those numbers – up to 40% of the troops afflicted – seem high. But if it’s even half that it’s too many brave souls returning home needing special help. So, what do we do with a soldier, who put their life on hold to go to a foreign land to fight for our liberty, when they come home and get into trouble with the law?
They Gave All
To be clear, I’m not referring to the highly publicized cases where a returning soldier has committed murder. Those cases have caused many to think, “Well, you train these young men to kill, they come home and kill.” But there is no research, let me repeat that – there is no research – to indicate vets commit violent crimes more often than civilians. In fact, if you extrapolate government statistics for murders committed by men ages 18 to 24 it’s the civilian who is more likely to kill someone, not the vet. I’m referring here to those anti-social, behavioral problems experts report that so many of our returning soldiers suffer with in silence. Problems with substance abuse, paranoia, flashbacks and bursts of unexplained temper, problems so debilitating the vet takes out their frustrations on loved ones or commits suicide.
Judge Russell, Founder of "Veteran's Court"
Judge Robert Russell in Buffalo, New York noticed the trend last year. Disturbed after seeing some 300 vets come through his court, he started what’s believed to be the nation’s very first “Veteran’s Court” for those having problems re-adjusting to civilian life. The charges against these defendants range from public drunkenness and assault, driving while intoxicated, drug related offenses, disturbing the peace, theft, domestic violence and other emotion driven violations.
The goal of this specialized court is to intercept troubled veterans before they spiral down and get lost in our already overwhelmed criminal justice system.
The soft spoken Judge Russell figured everyone would benefit if the vets were given a place to answer for their crimes that offered treatment not just punishment and a courtroom staff that included veteran advocates and assigned mentors. No veteran who appears can fall back on the self pitying thought that, “No one here knows what I’ve been through,” because everyone in the room completely understands. Judge Russell is firm, however, demanding atonement and adherence to a one to two year individualized treatment plan. He meets regularly with each veteran face-to-face to follow the progress. Failures get the original sentence for their crime.
“Many of our vets have a warrior mentality,” Judge Russell explained in a radio interview. “Some perceive that treatment may be for the weak and we’re working to change that paradigm.” Judge Russell instills the idea that, “the real courage and strength comes from the warrior who asks for help.” He’s encouraged by the progress he’s seen.
Criminal justice professionals all across America realize when the soldiers start streaming home they will also have to
So Many Need Help Re-adjusting
grapple with the problem of their re-adjustment to society. So, Judge Russell’s special Veteran’s Court idea has been studied nationwide and has now either been adopted in or is being considered by several other states including Alaska, Pennsylvania, California and Arizona. One supporter is retired Air Force Colonel and Attorney, Billy Little, who told the Arizona Republic, “One of the things that (has) offended me is seeing a veteran who is self-medicating with alcohol or marijuana or meth and going to court and standing side by side with some gangbanger or lifetime criminal and being treated the same as them.”
I can’t think of a bigger travesty. To answer the soldier’s service with a jail sentence for behavior that might very well stem from their service makes a mockery of their bravery. To toss the offending veteran in prison alongside the truly hardened criminal is akin to society saying they aren’t worth the trouble.
We already have about 2000 special Treatment Courts in America to help those struggling with addiction. There are another 200 Mental Health Courts and both have been successful in strategic support and treatment for Americans in need. Don’t our returning soldier’s deserve a special place too?
It really all comes down to this: By the very virtue of these veterans sacrifice for our freedom does the country owe them something extra upon their return? Of course we do.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Great column, Diane and one that sort of hits home with me. When my son graduated from high school he volunteered for the Marine Corp., knowing fully that he would eventually do one or two tours in Iraq. After two tours, he returned to the USA and waited til his release date to come home. He was a big hearted and very kind natured boy prior to his military service and I expected him to come home somewhat hardened, but he came home hard as steel. He still has a big heart, but that sweetness is long gone. Even his wife notices a difference. He recently became a police officer. Military service and then public service in the face of certain exposure to life threatening situations, if that does not define dedication, then that word has no definition. Individuals that exhibit that kind of dedication have earned our respect and a right to any mental health services needed as a result of their public service.
One of my best friends and my son have been diagnosed with PTSD, both were diagnosed after their release from military service. During war time military service, it would be safe to assume that all military personnel returning from war time situations will suffer from PTSD. From talking with my son and my best friend, both told me that counseling services were available but not mandatory while still in the service. Also, in both of these two cases, strong support systems through family and friends were readily available when they got home after their releases from military service.
I am neither an expert on military benefits, nor PTSD, and perhaps one of your readers better versed in these areas can confirm whether such counseling is mandatory for military personnel. At least in these two cases that I am familiar with, that support system on the return to their homes was certainly key to their stability and ability to resume a fairly normal life. My friend Bob will still not talk about his experiences which occurred during the Vietnam conflict and my son will not discuss what he witnessed in Iraq, so the common denominator appears to be war time service, therefore, testing and counseling prior to release from military service should be mandatory, if it is not at the present time, and that should help these veterans move back into civilian life.
Facebook Friend Dan C. writes:
"Great Post, Diane,
The wounds from physical and mental perspective are far great than those in previous conflict – in some cases: especially Vietnam, the medical treatment has improved to a degree that wounds like these may not have offered survivial heretofore. The IEDs are the most tramatic to the troops – the mental PTSD is a nightmare that does not easily go away – we as a nation face another round of the lingering effects ala Vietnam vets for years to come. As the shift to allow Iraq forces to stand alone, our folks are in deeper danger than before.
These kids are the best and brightest of soldiers we have ever put in harm's war. The reason for this is they are volunteers, unlike the services of thirty seven years ago. As one who is attempting raise money – more for the homeless vets and a Veterans Bill of Rights the response from the politicians is slim and none- the public wants to help but the economy is not allowing this.
I would urge you to go to any VA hospital and survey the damage first hand – I wouldn't eat before and you probably won't care to afterward – the saving grace from a visit is to see the spirit of the men and women."
Daine
Your good!! No one knows what it is like but us.
I have a guy who fights in his sleep. I notice my temper getting bad and when driving I am agresive. I guess I am lucky because I see this in my self.
Chris – God bless – and thank you for your service to our country. ~ DD
Web site reader David M writes:
"I think it's a cop out, to think they should be treated any different than the 100s of 1000s, that have gone before them.
My father served 33 years (June 6, 1944 -WWII to November 1977). that period of time cover sWWII, Korean conflict & Viet Nam. My dad did not come back and commit crimes, neither did the dads of my friends.
No one can say this was an easier time than being in Iraq or Afghanistan.
What percentage of these returning soldiers (that commit crimes) were ever actually in harms way. What percentage of these returning soldiers that commit crimes, had a police record to begin with? Those that commit crimes need to be punished, and quit with the excuses.
I know that some returning combat / infantry soldiers may suffer from PTSD.
These soldiers need to have mandated counseling. I'm sure this would help many, who may end up commiting a crime…and blaming their time in Iraq etc..or PTSD.
I am a veteran, and the son of a career soldier."
FaceBook Friend Al P. writes:
"
In WWII drugs were not much of a problem except among medical personell who had access to drugs.
In Korea the Chinese and North Koreans virtually all were on Heroin. Our people were able to take Heroin from the dead and captured enemy soldiers… but i did a fair job of convincing them that it created false bravery and increased their chances of being killed or captured.
I was too old to be involved with Viet Nam… but that is an area where drugs are easily obtained and whoever is the Adjutant General did a poor job of convincing our troops to stay away from it.
The Gulf wars and particularly Afghanistan is the heart of the poppy growing part of the world and again the Army is doing a lousy job of policing our troops. If you visit a Veteran's Hospital or talk to a homeless man you would find out that he probably was a Viet Nam or Gulf War Veteran.
Now we have a border problem with Mexico and the Drug Cartels are winning the war. Returning veterans find no problem to continue on drugs at home because tons of all kinds of drugs come across the border daily. Our Government is to blame and they continue to look the other way… In fact they invite drug problems by prosecuting border guards who do a good job. We have become a Nation of pill poppers."
FaceBook Friend Chris Mc writes: (as a military man himself)
" Thank you for showing you care. I really dont think anyone cares about what we are doing. "
Oh yes we do Chris. And lots of us care about what you'll do when you come home too.
~ DD
DD Web Site reader Frank P. writes:
' In WWII and Korean War, the percentage of military personnel engaged in combat was ten per cent, or less, of the total force being fielded. Yes, there were occasional exceptions such as when clerks and cooks were obliged to take up arms. I suppose the percentages are higher for subsequent wars, given the nature of warfare since. Does anyone know what that ratio is?
Does a veterans in trouble with the law deserve a special court and special consideration? Yes, if he/she actually experienced the trauma of combat. No, if the veteran in question served solely in a support capacity to combat troops. If a rear echelon veteran is being treated for post-traumatic stress, he/she should never have been allowed into the service in the first place.'
Excellent column Diane. You very accurately illustrated the ongoing problem we have had in this country with some vets (a very small percentage of them I might add) and then presented an example of a successful program that help resolve that problem. Thanks for opening some eyes.
I fully agree with you Diane, that our U.S. military members deserve whatever treatment that they require for injuries suffered while serving our country. Not to do so is is not only wrong for them and their loved ones, but for our society as a whole.
However, after years of thinking this over, I believe the problem in large part is due to our national capitulation to end the draft, as flawed as it was. When only a minority of service age Americans choose to enter the military, it might be expected that those relative few would have to be endure multiple tours, even if already damaged from a prior one.
Perhaps it is time once again to require universal service, including sons and daughters of Senators, Representative, Hollywood and entertainment elite, sports figures, and all the rest. Of course exceptions would still be required for those simply cannot serve for medical reasons. But, is that really too much to ask for 12 years of free (to the student) education, and entrance into a society bought and paid for with the blood and deaths of millions who came before them? I think not.
Such a policy change is surely not a popular suggestion in this current age, but I'm not looking for popularity. I'm for easing the burden on the minority to actually choose to defend the majority, and then get screwed by those who sent them into wars not of the choosing of those who provide that service.
Once again, I enjoyed reading what you had to say on this subject. I do not have your 'crime and justice' background or focus, but it sure seems criminal to me to turn a cold shoulder to those who have so valiantly served the citizens of the Greatest Country in the History of the World!
Some of the most valued and cherished months of my life have been as a patient in a VAMC after returning as a combat vet. I have long considered the exceptional VA employees and staff I had the privilege of coming in contact with as more family than my own.