With the end of the war in Iraq and the pending drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, the United States will see a substantial increase in the amount of combat veterans in the civilian world. At current there are approximately 300,000 veterans in the United States who suffer the effects from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by combat operations. With this number sure to grow over the next few years, it is paramount to identify the organizations the government has set up to serve this population. The Department of Veterans Affairs has established the Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) division of its healthcare branch. The RCS has established 302 Vet Centers across the country to provide servicemen and women with readjustment counseling to help make the transition from military to civilian life (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012). This paper will discuss the organizational structure, functions, and design of RCS to illustrate how it will meet the needs of veterans.…
I decided to reflect on my “Case Study” presentation that my group and I completed for my OTA 310 Environments and Contexts of Occupation course. The assignment mirrored the many ways people are impacted and affecting by and in their environment(s). The case study portrayed the life of 20-year-old veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bilateral below-elbow amputation (BEA). The general idea of the presentation is to first, discuss the importance of exploring the occupational profile of the client and personal experience, particularly anything related to the matters of the disorder and/or disability. Many clients’ want this to show that they are not a burden to themselves or to others, especially financially. As for the veteran,…
At Cacciutti Veteran Educational Foundation, our belief is that our discharged veterans deserve added consideration when obtaining gainful education and employment opportunities to be able to support themselves, along with proper medical care, both physical and psychological, to help the veteran assimilate into civilian life. Cacciutti Veteran Educational Foundation has noticed the lack of capable, skilled workers to take over for those who are exiting their respective fields, along with the rising unemployment rate and psychological problems of returning combat veterans like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as the problems that even non-combat veterans have assimilating back into civilian society. So Cacciutti Veteran Educational…
The leadership model in ADRP 6-22 (2012) shows that military and professional bearing, fitness, confidence, and resilience affect one’s presence (p. 1-5). Throughout Benavidez’s life, he created a presence that is still seen and felt today. During a speech given in 1991, long after his retirement, Benavidez showed his military and personal bearing. Benavidez said, “It makes me feel great when I put my uniform on. That’s the best piece of clothing I have ever owned. And hey I wear it all the time, I don’t care what other people think. They think I don’t have civilian clothes. I don’t care. It is great to be in uniform. . . And I get a haircut every Friday” (Losch & Kingsbury, 2017). Benavidez demonstrated his fitness, confidence, and resilience during his recovery from his first wound in Vietnam. In 1965, Benavidez stepped on a mine, which paralyzed him from the waist down (Benavidez, 1991, para. 7). Against his doctors’ wishes, Benavidez would “slip out of bed and crawl to a wall using my elbows and chin. My back would just be killing me and I’d be crying, but I get to the wall and I’d stand there like Kaw-Liga, the Indian. I’d stand and move my toes, right and left every single chance I got” (Benavidez, 1991, para. 7). Nine months later, Benavidez limped out of the hospital on his own (Benavidez, 1991, para. 9). Benavidez’s drive to walk again…
(2011). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com The author illustrates how finding a safe common ground between combat veterans suffering from PTSD and the therapist is a successful approach as it enables the veteran to find their own solutions for their problems…
In chapter 18, A Brief History of U.S. Military Families and the Role of Social Workers (Rubin, Weiss, and Coll, 2013) discussed how U.S. Military families have played a vital role in the military community. This chapter also discussed how as time progressed, more resources became available to service men and women's families that were left behind. In addition, social workers played an important role in helping families improve over time by providing and establishing many needed services and programs.…
Many soldiers after World War I suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. War veterans with PTSD faced flashbacks, nightmares, and fight-or-flight response. These war veterans must find "a good place" (184) in life to help calm and relax them, so they can be in a healthy state, like before the war. Nick, who was in war, relaxes himself by fishing for trout in a river, something he did before the war. Additionally, many veterans strive to find the "live feeling" (197) they experienced before the war, after they have had their life returned to them. Soldiers must emerge from a terrifying past, to a hopeful future.…
The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is a conceptual practice model designed by theorists Gary Kielhofner, that is based on an open systems theory which is greatly used by occupational therapist. This theory guides their thinking on human occupational behavior and occupational dysfunction that may be caused by disease, trauma, stress or other factors and provides a framework for gathering information on the client and used to select the appropriate course of therapy.…
Why are Veterans not integrating back into society with great success? Have you ever wondered what happens to Veterans once they return back from the war or from serving a tour of duty? How has their family survived without them while they were gone and what was their experience like without their loved one? In the following paragraphs you will read about the transitions that Veterans as well as their families have integrating back into the community, work, church, school and family life upon returning from serving a tour of duty. It is astounding how much assistance is provided to Veterans but sadly very few of them actually use the assistance provided to them which is what we will focus on in the next paragraphs.…
Before World War II no one believed women had a place in the military, yet women overcame this and helped the United States reach victory. Women felt they needed and wanted to get involved in the war instead of sitting at home, taking care of the children, cooking dinner, and cleaning the house. Women joined military support organizations like the WACs, the WAVES and the WASPs. These kinds of organizations contributed immensely toward the United States war effort. Women felt that if men could serve in the war, they could, too. Women relieved men of certain jobs so the men could go fight in the war. Women worked hard and took the men’s places, but they could not fight or get close to battle. Women’s roles in the war changed society, and lasted long after the United States declared victory.…
The want to serve one's country is a powerful theme around the world. Men and women from countries all around the world risk their lives to ensure the safety and protection of their country. Enlisting in one’s armed forces brings a strong sense of camaraderie and companionship to the soldiers, as they mostly stick with the same people they went to training with. There are also long lasting effects of going to war, such as PTSD, amputations, and various health conditions. One of the biggest things about enlisting is the emotional stress it puts on people’s loved ones. All of these points are evidenced time and time again in Trish Wood’s book, “ What Was Asked of Us” as it tells the accounts and stories of American men and women who fought in the Iraq war.…
The young veteran population embodies many needs, challenges, and strengths that are unique to the community. The veteran population as a whole is a subculture of American culture, creating its own beliefs, values, and traditions. This subculture creates a different necessity when working with young veterans in a clinical capacity. The young veteran embodies resilience, however, has experienced a significant amount of trauma. The young veteran has an unprecedented amount of life experience, however, has several unique developmental considerations to consider. The young veteran adapts well to changing environments; however, environmental circumstances complicate the problems the young veteran faces. This complication makes the assessment of…
Human beings have inhabited the Earth for six or seven million years ("Natural History Museum", n.d.), but that is merely a fraction of the existence of this planet. Human beings have a penitence for gathering into groups and forming cities where industrial developments take place. The Industrial Revolution in America brought jobs and new products as well as technology. This is happening in other developing countries such as China and India today. Since our country has developed further into the digital age, our scientists have been able to observe the devastating effects that unregulated industry can have on the environment, and in turn, have on the people who dwell there. Now, there are many efforts in advancing our understanding and cohabitation with the natural world, and trying to reverse the damage that has been done.…
Whether they may be on active duty, in a veteran’s hospital, or had just served previously in the military, there are many feelings that may be keeping one from doing what they want to be doing or acting as their “normal” selves. The trauma, loss, and hardship associated with the military is something that one may have a difficult time coping with and that many don’t understand unless they have been in that position. The Wellness Recovery Action Plan can try to help with the process of recovery, by getting well, feeling better. (AFHP, 2016) Facilitators who are trained in WRAP teach their fellow veterans how to make their own personal WRAP. A reason why WRAP is so successful among the people of the military is because of its structure. Often when a veteran is released from the military they may lack the structure that is needed in their lives and WRAP can help them refocus on what is good, without being too overbearing. (AFHP,…
Karney and Crown (2007) posited military women are likely to identify with the least traditional gender roles while military men are likely to identify with the most traditional gender roles. Kanzler et al. (2011) discussed women who do not work full time and identify with traditional gender roles are less likely to be divorced. A concept that supports Karney & Crown’s (2007) data analysis concluding military men married to civilian women are the least likely to divorce. Traditional gender roles may be difficult for military women to balance with their military requirements. Dilworth (2004) stated “marital satisfaction in women has been connected to a perceived equity of domestic labor”(p. 247) supporting Kanzler et al.’s (2011) theory that military women fare better with a partner who has egalitarian views of gender roles and accommodates the demands of their occupation and lifestyle. Without an egalitarian partner, they risk a gender role mismatch potentially leading to conflict and dissolution of the…