Be Self-Aware

Veteran suicide is a real thing. We all know the number…22 a day.

People seemingly love the “Just two of my friends…” posts. People love to bring awareness about Veteran Suicide through memes and social media posts. They think that somehow they are helping.

Here is the glitch; You can’t be talking out of both sides of your mouth.

Veterans dedicated their LIVES to the military. Some of them built their entire identity around being in the military. We lost friends in the military. I’ll say that again… our friends DIED in the military. Some people lost their families because of the military. Some Veterans sacrificed their health, both physical and mental, due to their service. And, as much as we bitch and complain about the military, we loved it. We still love it.

Leaving the military is one of the things that causes Veteran suicide. You cannot replace that life. It’s impossible. You can join Veteran groups, Veteran associations, you can go to therapy, you can stay in contact with your buddies. None of that replaces what we lost when we left. None of it.

So, when you post things like “The military is a waste…” or “The military is stupid…” or “Why do we waste our money on the military…” THAT impacts Veterans. It makes us second guess. It makes us think that what we sacrificed was a waste. It makes us feel unappreciated because we ARE the military, even as Veterans.

Do I think the military should be criticized? In specifics, yes. The Department of Defense, our National level leadership, the Pentagon, and specific leaders should be held accountable for what they say and do. Do I think the military as a whole deserves that criticism? No way. Blanket statements like the ones above are careless and lazy. Those blanket statements encompass ALL of the military, including those Veterans that struggle with suicide ideations and attempts. People who make statements like that don’t have the time, the willingness, or even the intellect to make a cogent argument. It’s weak.

If you don’t like the military, that’s your right. If you think the military is a waste, that is your right. If you think our money can be better spent on things other than on defense, that is your right. If you want to speak out about the military, you should think before you speak…even if it is your right not to.

Arguably, most Veterans understand what you are saying. We may even agree with it in some cases. We get the blanket statements, but those Veterans that everyone is concerned about, the ones you just want “two of your friends” to repost about, the ones you like to post memes about to “raise awareness”…those Veterans may not get it. They may not be in the right mental state TO get it.

I challenge ALL of you to actually do something to prevent Veteran suicide. When you are posting about “the military” be a little more Self-Aware instead of just running off at the mouth. Be specific in your criticisms on who or what you think is wrong, has done wrong, or needs to be fixed. Educate yourself on how the military works, especially if you never served.

But, overall, if you REALLY are concerned about Veteran suicide, be careful about what you say, be careful about how you say it, be careful about how it impacts those Veterans, but overall…

Be Self-Aware.