The VA created new rules in Oct 2020 to qualify for the Caregiver Program which makes it impossible for post 9/11 vets with TBI, PSTD, mood disorders, and mental health issues to qualify. A study just came out saying post 9/11 vets with TBI are 2.5 to 3.5 times to die from suicide, accident, or homicide.....I truly believe the VA wants more deaths among this group.

Idk.. there are many studies, stats, theories as to why the suicide rate among vets has risen steadily since 2001. What we do know is rates are higher for undeployed veterans and older vets. If you compare the vets who served in combat vs vets who didn’t see any action- those who didn’t see any action had higher suicide rates. The rates are high for older vets, as well, likely due to stress from medical problems and not being able to access care/treatment programs. I personally believe that this has to do with many factors but a huge one is substance abuse, binge drinking, problems transitioning, unfulfilled goals (from not deploying).. I could go on and on. I’m not sure if I understand this article but it is late.

It was deliberate that Obama cut military spending and the conditions at many VA medical centers and bases were deplorable, we’re certain of that. It was deliberate that we were served prison grade food at Camp Pendleton and barracks were moldy shitholes, we didn’t even get to practice on the range with live ammo. Maybe it was deliberate the water gave everyone heartburn? Maybe it was deliberate they encouraged alcohol abuse as well. Maybe it is deliberate morale is at an all time low right now? Pretty sure it is on purpose.

I know so many marines who got themselves in a huge debt problem right off the bat while active duty. I know so many who got married at a young age so they could get the hell out of the shitty barracks and live in semi comfortable conditions, higher pay but the divorce rate is high, supposedly 20% higher than the national average (interesting article on why

https://divorceinfo.com/marine-corp-divorce-rate.htm/comment-page-1 )

I know so many who started drinking heavily while active duty and came out with serious drinking problems after just 4 years of service. Everyone underestimates how serious a problem this is. You drink so damn much whenever you have an opportunity. You get so used to the roller coaster of being extremely stressed to trying to escape from it with alcohol and then later as a civilian- you just don’t know what to do with yourself. And so many kids enlist for all the wrong reasons, usually escaping their dysfunctional family life or thinking they could get their college paid for and didn’t realize everything has consequences.

When people put their stupid “I stand with Ukraine or blm or covid vax” or whatever the issue of the month is- I wish they could just have some kindness and compassion and stand with the veterans who fought one battle or another for them.

https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/vet-stats