2013 was a difficult year for many service members who served overseas in combat zones. Those who have returned to civilian life often find it difficult to pick up where they left off and to pursue the goals and ambitions they had before leaving. With the recent arrival of the new year, now is an excellent time for returning veterans to revisit their personal, career and educational goals by committing to one or more of the following New Year’s resolutions.
Go Back to School
If you are in the process of transitioning into civilian life after a deployment, you may be finding it difficult to reconnect with the career goals and interests you once had. One of the best ways to get over this slump is tocommit to furthering your education in the coming year. While applying to colleges may seem like a difficult process, there are veteran’s scholarships and services that can assist you through this process. Find a college that will support you through navigating your Post-9/11 GI Bill, which may pay for part or all of your college tuition. If you find the prospect of diving into fulltime education a bit too intimidating, start out with a few online classes, or take night courses just once or twice per week. Odds are, once you find a program you are passionate about, college will seem less intimidating and more exciting, as you will be taking important steps toward a successful and fulfilling new year.
Expedite Your VA Claim
It is no secret that the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the midst of a major disability claims backlog. Some veterans have been waiting for two or more years to get an answer, and many have given up hope of ever having their claims resolved. While the claims process may leave you feeling powerless, there are steps you can takethis year to assist in expediting your claim. If you have already applied for benefits, visityour VA Regional Office and meet with someone who can give you a detailed explanation of what is holding your claim up. Rather than calling the VA’s toll-free number, sitting on hold, and receiving very vague information, find out exactly what pieces of evidence are needed to complete your claim. Sometimes by simply submitting a copy of your DD 214 or service medical records, you can move your claim on to the next step. If you have not yet filed your claim, consider applying under the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program. Under the FDC program, you will submit all evidence upfront and certify that you have no other information to contribute. This allows the VA to move more quickly, as they will not be required to ask you for additional evidence.
Help Other Veterans
Adjusting to civilian life after completinga difficult deployment is something that no veteran should have to do alone. Perhaps the most valuable resource veterans have is other veterans who have been through similar situations and are able to offer valuable guidance and support. If you have received this kind of help from other veterans and would like to pay it forward, joining a veterans mentoring program may be the ideal New Year’s resolution for you.According to Time Magazine, non-profit organizations such as the American Combat Veterans of War (ACVOW) are offering mentoring programs by veterans, for veterans, in an effort to prevent the devastating mental health crises that followed other US wars. Consider joining the ACVOW as a mentor in one of their many veteran outreach programs, and make a positive difference in the lives of other returning veterans.
Get Mentally Fit
Many use the new year as motivation to improve physical fitness through renewed commitment to exercise and healthy eating. While being physically healthy is very important, mental fitness can be just as essential for leading a healthy and well-adjusted life. Taking care of mental health needs is particularly important for veterans, as a recentstudyby the RAND Cooperation reveals that 18.5 percent of returning service members suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. There are many steps veterans can take to improve their mental fitness in the coming year, and one of the most important of these steps is seeking the help of a professional. Contact the VA Medical Center in your area to schedule an appointment, or take advantage of your mental health coverage under TRICARE. Other important steps toward improving your mental health include physical activity, social interactions, and emotional openness with those who care about you.
While the past year was filled with a variety of obstacles for many veterans, there are resources available that can assist service members in experiencing a healthy and happy new year. Consider committing to one or more of these resolutions to improve your life in 2014 and beyond.
About the Author:
Courtney Smith served two tours in Iraq and is currently a full-time student. She enjoys contributing articles to a variety of military-related publications.
*Image by Minnesota National Guard from Flickr Creative Commons