I do not think anyone for a moment would feel you are providing a paid commercial for the VA. I think it is terrific to have someone who is in the cat birds seat so to speak of how they are treated.
As I said I can speak from my father-in-law's point of view, I can speak as dependent and do not get me started on Tricare but if you do a little research on my threads I am sure you will find some where I give a candid and less than glowing review and frankly for me that is all right I know how to work through the system. But, what about the young military family whose loved one is in the Guard and is called up the Tricare system can be very intimidating.
The stigma once associated with post combat stress appears to have disappeared. I understand someone on Active Duty should want to be thought of a soldier's soldier but to give your best to YOUR troops you must be at a 100% and to say that war does not affect you is hogwash. It affect's everyone differently but just knowing someone who has been affected in such a way in the end affects you so take to advantage of the programs that are available is essential and frankly criminal if you choose to not take advantage of it.
Please tell you psychologist that I am appreciative of how he handles his returning warriors it is an example worth applauding and held up to his fellow peers.
It sounds like you came from excellent stock as well, to allow another to go ahead of you. It is the right thing to do and I tell you as I sit in the waiting area at the pharmacy I look at those who came before me, who paved the road for my service to our country, for my husbands service to my country and they are the people whom will pave the way for all that follow after you, my husband, my dad, my father-in-law and all those who have served.
Thank you for reminding me of those who gave and those who gave the ultimate sacrafice, is is something I will give mention in my prayer's this eve.
-FMC
FMC,
We are definitely on same page. Those who have gone before bear the greatest respect and deference. As for TRICARE, I could occupy a website with my gripes. I am not a medical administrator, but I can say that this is a system with problems and need for reform. I am not about big Gov't and programs and so forth, but when it comes to vets and their fams who have sacrificed much for our way of life, we must provide for them! As far as those who feel the need to be a man's man, I can understand. I had my troops under me, and it's more than just that. Most Civs do not understand, the level of responsibility goes beyond work, it goes to LIFE. At this point all I have been able to do is to talk to the vets that I know who have been in those situations and encourage them to alk about their experiences. It's hard though, my own brother had his best friend die in his arms in Nasiriyah, and he will not talk to me, a VA doc or anyone. Nothing you can do in this situation.