Not Every Soldier is Broken …. But Some Are Recovering

** Trigger warning, this post contains content about PTSD, suicide, deaths in military service

This video clip has moved me so much, that as I sat watching it,  tears were rolling down my face

So much of what is discussed, I have had exposure to firstly as a former British military spouse and then my work as a Career Development Professional whose specialism is veterans career transitions 

My time working with the Royal Engineers Association at Regimental Headquarters in Brompton Barracks, Chatham included, for example, organising the loan of coffin drapes and obituaries for the Sapper magazine. We also supported veterans who had become homeless after losing their jobs, being made homeless, as well as the impact this had on their families.

Over the years since then, I have continued to work with current serving and former serving military members and their families. Not all, but some struggle with their transition and the effect of PTSD. However, common themes I’ve noticed over the years, and there is strong imperical evidence in numerous research studies of military forces globally are:

🔵 Loss of self-identity

🔵 Struggles of shifting from collectivist to individualistic thinking

🔵 Cultural differences and lack of understanding (from both the veterans and civilian perspective)

🔵 Feeling like they are speaking a ‘foreign language’ and experiences

🔵 Feeling of not being able to talk to non peers about experiences

🟣 Loss of sense of hope

The list could go on

Another military spouse friend of mine sent me this clip and said “veterans need to be able to connect with someone who understands what military life is like as they transition to Civy Street….  that’s where you come in”

I’m not a veteran (it’s probably a good thing as I would have gotten into trouble for painting the tanks with clouds and bumblebees no doubt), but as a former military spouse who has lived and worked in this environment in the UK, Germany as part of the British Forces Contingent, and worked for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), I see myself as a bridge between both worlds – military and civilian life

I do believe that without a sense of sustainable hope, the difficulties can become more acute as veterans and their families navigate their lifelong career development.

This is why my career development practitioner approach is evidence based, incorporating Hope Action Theory as the bedrock, supported by creative engagement strategies, to help minimise the impact bumps in the road have as a person navigates these challenges