Teddy’s CTCH604 Reading Log 04.04.2010

Posted by on April 4, 2010 
Filed under Reading logs

Teddy’s CTCH604 Reading Log 04.04.2010

For class session 04.06.2010

Our assigned article for this week explores the experiences of soldiers in Iraqi and Afghanistan combat. With so many people involved in such conflicts it is hard to believe that so little research exists on the topic of transitioning soldiers from the battle field to the college life. Many questions began to surface in my thoughts as I read this week’s assigned article. In a country where we supposedly pride ourselves and our military might, why is there so little mental health assistance to veterans. Why are soldiers made to do back to back combat tours of duty? How many veterans commit suicide due to their combat experiences? How many marriages are destroyed due to PTSD? What can colleges do to prepare and make easy the transition of military personnel? How should colleges and universities go about educating their learning communities about transitioning veterans? These and so many other inquiries are overwhelming my thoughts as this prelude opens a new chapter of discovery.

The first thing I wanted to do was to put myself in the shoes of those soldiers and feel what they feel. More than likely, they have experience some or many horrific events that keeps them awake at night. The witnessing of dead bodies belonging to a friend, an enemy or persons you do not know can take its toll on one’s psyche causing flash backs. With these things being possible, colleges and universities need to make sure that veterans have the best of mental health services. This would help to lighten the stress levels that cause more of a burden to lives of veterans in the process of transitioning back to society. Veterans are use to a highly structured life of military standards. Now, they are shifting to a civilian life of less structure and they are faced with making many decisions that are normally made by their commanding officers. School psychologists and psychiatrists should be re-trained to the sensitivities of soldiers who were wounded, attacked, ambushed, faced gunfire and other unpleasant realities of military life.

Second, colleges and universities can make the transition from military life to college a sweeter one by providing crucial services. This segment of the student population needs services assisting students with GI bill applications, college tuition, health insurance, housing, nursery services, employment and other benefits. Veterans should receive some form of tuition reduction that allows military personnel to keep as much of their money in their pocket. The students should be allowed free parking services to reduce the stresses of getting to class. Colleges need to promote more veteran oriented organizations and events on campus. They should never feel that they are alone and without support in the country they served. Each of us has the responsibility to support our men and women of our military. It is morally, the right thing to do!

Comments



Leave a Reply