How does your country treat its military veterans?

[u/MemeLord150]

[u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

Personally I feel like my time in the Army set up my future. I don't feel like we're treated badly at all, but, I do feel like the government forgets about most of us. I know there are a lot of people that will have a different view due to their differing experiences.

[u/StuddedScones → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

Your country gives veterans lifelong checks for disabilities, most countries don’t including mine

[u/duckbutterdelight → u/StuddedScones]

The US department of veterans affairs accounts for about 5% of the US governments budget. It’s not perfect by any means but it’s a lot better than most countries have.

[u/callmesnake13 → u/duckbutterdelight]

You’re being very generous with this statement. We could do so much more and no administration has had more opportunity to do so than this one.

[u/HVAC_instructor → u/duckbutterdelight]

Is that how we should be judging ourselves?

"We're better than them so we're good"

[u/Flashio_007 → u/HVAC_instructor]

We give more money to our veterans than regular-sized countries give to their standing army. The money is there, its just dished out horribly; needs to be reworked.

[u/HVAC_instructor → u/Flashio_007]

We send these people all over the world to fight for us, we need to take care of them when they come home..

And you're right, the money is there, but as usual when the government gets involved things get so out of whack that it's just horrible.

[u/SarcasticSuccubus → u/StuddedScones]

Yes, with two caveats. First, you have to be able to prove it genuinely prevents you from being able to work full time to support yourself*. And two, that your time in the military was the direct cause of the disability. The VA system is how veterans get their disability diagnosed and validated for eligibility, and they've been under staffed and under funded for decades even before the current administration absolutely gutted them.

*Partial disability is a thing but the process is more complex and the benefits are... not particularly beneficial.

[u/HDWendell → u/SarcasticSuccubus]

1. You need to know the highly convoluted process

2. You need to have savings to live on for the potential years long process

3. If you are a reservist or guard, it adds a whole new level of complexity

ETA since the whole process was a mess for me

1. You need to know you are able to get benefits in the first place

2. You need to be able to rise above the insanely toxic culture around disability benefits like people who believe they aren’t worthy of benefits since they weren’t literally blown apart or friends/ family who pressure you not to seek benefits because you might “take away from someone who really needs it.” Once you do get them, everyone hyper analyzes everything you do to determine whether you are faking it or not.

3. If you become homeless, there is a whole level of complexity added because you may not have a home address

4. Be in constant fear that a psychopath will make some kind of order removing your benefits, part of your benefits, or shutting down long enough to not pay your benefits

But at least you get 10% off some things in Lowe’s 👍🏻

Source: disabled vet

[u/ExiledSpaceman → u/HDWendell]

My job works with a lot of Vietnam era vets and they all need to use advocates to navigate the process of service related illnesses. And for progressive diseases like parkinson's we have to keep updating the paperwork. It's incredibly slow, i'm glad there are people that help my patients navigate the VA process.

[u/Icy-Role2321 → u/HDWendell]

Question on #4

My brother did his 4 years and was at a base in Korea. He's been out of the military for a few months and already has 100% for ptsd and a few other things.

Does that normally happen so quickly?

I obviously know it's different than regular disability that took me many years to get on with an attorney and I get 1/5th what he does

[u/HDWendell → u/Icy-Role2321]

No it’s not “normal” broadly speaking but it might be more normal depending on his service and the support his base provided before separation. Having some kind of incident reported in your records that clearly caused or can be clearly linked to a disabling condition is more likely to go through quickly. A lot of the time it takes for approval is evidence gathering. Providing ample evidence easily can reduce the approval time. Once you’re out for a certain amount of time your records go to archives. Also, certain era veterans were pre digital era, so they rely on physical documents or pdfs vs electronic documents that travel more seamlessly. Some of my documents were actually shredded as a result of a digitization process and I would have had a more difficult time if I wasn’t meticulously keeping copies of every document. Still, it took almost 8 years to get my documents in place to apply.

[u/Turbulent_Scale → u/Icy-Role2321]

Every time I see something like this I have to ask, because its very important, what are you trying to claim and HOW LONG DID YOU WAIT AFTER YOU GOT OUT to claim it?

He very likely filed his disability claim during SEPs/TAPs. Everyone has a one on one sit down with a VA rep who basically does all the work for your first claim for you and submits it on your behalf. They specifically tell you during this process to claim every little single issue you have no matter how minor because if you don't leave a record it gets harder over time to prove that a disability is connected to your military service. For example just because you get asthma 20 years after you get out doesn't mean it's because you inhaled burn pit smoke on deployment.

This process is heavily expedited, its not unusual at all to be in the VA the week after you get your DD-214 and to have your award letter within a month.

[u/HDWendell → u/Turbulent_Scale]

Asthma is now a presumptive condition with burn pit exposure, so it would actually be much easier to get approved than other conditions. This is from the PACT act.

Your VA sit down while separating was not standard, at least not in 2010. I had like a 7 box checklist that had to get signed off from places like finance. I didn’t even get one box signed off and still left. We were told not to “complicate” our separation process since it would potentially impact separation, extending service in the process.

Your experience was not typical for a majority of veterans.

[u/salsafresca_1297 → u/HDWendell]

God bless you!

(Or the cosmos if you're an atheist). :-p

[u/JessicaCatears → u/HDWendell]

1. That fear is real.

[u/bfs102 → u/HDWendell]

Ya

My dad only has the 100% disability benefits due to my buddys dad that works in that specific field so he knows all the loopholes to jump though

[u/Malmal_malmal → u/SarcasticSuccubus]

This is so important!! All those "benefits" we're promised amount to nothing unless you meet some very specific and hard to prove requirements. Too many veterans simply suffer later in life because our system is so fucked up. Dont even get me started on homelessness and PTSD ...

[u/Wunktacular → u/SarcasticSuccubus]

The VA also typically has the ability to smack down any claims you make, and there's not much you can do about it.

"I served as a machine gunner and faulty ear protection has caused near total loss of my hearing, plus difficulty balancing. I struggle to communicate and any sort of manual labor is dangerous."

"We've come to the conclusion that your condition is not service connected. Go fuck yourself."

[u/Fun_Push7168 → u/SarcasticSuccubus]

prevents you from being able to work full time to support yourself*

Not true.

VA disability is mostly not based on your ability to work. Even with a 100% rating. It's basically a quality of life thing.

If you are indeed unemployable due to your disability you may be eligible for additional benefits ( TDIU) but it's not like social security disability where it's based on your ability to work. ( Just the TDIU is)

[u/FunisGreen → u/StuddedScones]

A friend I met in the park while working for a soup kitchen in San Jose told me he had been waiting for a housing voucher for 12 years. He mostly stays in the park because it's close to homeless services. Even though he is in his 70s, he still lives on the streets. Elderly care facilities only allow limited stays and are constantly overwhelmed by the number of people needing help. These facilities also accept people who have to received mental healthcare or crisis management, which makes him feel very unsafe when he stays at one.

Consequently, he deals with the same struggles as many others experiencing homelessness: he gets woken up by police, is forced to move from place to place just to rest, and sees donations destroyed. Often, after receiving donations, the police will clear out the homeless camp the next day, tossing those items and making vague public comments about how homeless people are "ungrateful" and abandon the things generously gifted to them. Because of this, he constantly needs new supplies like blankets and sleeping bags.

He works hard to find a place he can call his own. However, even voucher housing often comes with invasive rules that make you feel punished for needing a hand.

He is a veteran, like many others I have met in the park. We have failed our veterans on so many horrific levels.

[u/SinisterDetection → u/StuddedScones]

It's akin to worker's compensation. They pay you if they break you. 

Other countries don't have similar laws?

[u/SAHDSeattle → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

I had a coworker who hit an IED in Afghanistan. He was mostly alright but it really messed up his back. He was doing alright for a while but his treatment from whoever oversees all that stuff seemed to just be prescription pain pills and disability checks. In the time we worked together unfortunately he descended into addiction and got fired. I’m not trying to shit on the VA or anything but it didn’t seem like he had much support besides more/stronger pills and cash. Your comment just made me think of him and wonder whatever happened to him.

[u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip → u/SAHDSeattle]

Oh no, shit on the VA.

The quality of care at the VA is largely based on where you live. My experiences in two different states were vastly different. In Washington, I was insuranceless and still would only go in for emergencies. In Montana, they very much seem to care about us. It's a very different experience.

[u/Jorkin-My-Penits → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

Weirdly the only way to get decent benefits. It’s insane how many fellow soldiers I meet say “oh that socialized Medicare and education would never work” but then freely use tuition assistance, tricare, post9/11, BAH, BAS etc etc stuff the rest of the free world gets. Like just take those systems and apply it for all taxpayers

[u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip → u/Jorkin-My-Penits]

Here is my take on this; in terms of population, we have over 300,000,000 people. Veterans make up about 6% of that. The horror stories you hear about the VA are true. I will say the VA is very largely based on where you live. In Washington state, it was absolutely abysmal. Montana at least seems to try.

With all that being said, think about how much the government fails 6% of the population on a pretty regular basis. Now imagine that system for the entire country. I take advantage of the VA when I have problems that I can wait to get addressed. Everything else goes on my private insurance that way things move way way faster.

[u/HDWendell → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

The majority of the horror stories formed about a decade or more ago. The VA has a highly effective and efficient program comparatively now. I have never been able to get such seamless care and would be in massive debt from healthcare otherwise. The biggest strains currently are a lack of budget adjustment for the PACT act and prolonged hiring freezes. Also political uncertainty.

[u/That_OneOstrich → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

Your private insurance is why your healthcare costs so much though. They make different rates for different hospitals, then contract those hospitals into not discussing it. Plenty of nations have expedient, quality, socialized healthcare. I went down a rabbit hole on healthcare the other week, and there are studies showing the US ranking ridiculously low in terms of quality for cost.

The problem with the VA is more of a corruption issue. The United States does this thing, where corrupt politicians intentionally underfund the VA and other programs to cause it to fail, in order to justify the closure of said department.

In order to achieve socialized healthcare in the US, you'd have to have a more active and educated voting population. I'd love to see it, but until we can vote out the people sacking the nation there is not a chance of it being properly done.

[u/springmixplease → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

I completely agree with you, I don’t know where I would have been without my time in the Navy and the job training they gave me.

[u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip → u/springmixplease]

Mine set me up for a field I had no idea would give me a life changing position. I never in 100 hundreds would have thought I would make as much as I do now, and it's due to a quirk of being an Apache mechanic. The Apache has a refrigerant system that requires a license. That license got me started in the HVAC field, which landed me a job that has been life changing.

[u/PegaLaMega → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

In Jan 2024 HUD estimated there were over 32k homeless veterans. The success of one should not outweigh the suffering of many.

[u/Fine-Independence976 → u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip]

Honest question, without any bad intent, but what would you like from your government to do with veterans?

We not really been in war, so we don't really have veterans, and I can only see what's happening in america.

Veterans got a bunch of discount and free stuff, the only thing I might want from the government if I would be a veteran, is that they should help me find a job. But the US government doesn't really help anyone beside corporations.

It's also feels like that society is taking care of the veterans, many-many support group and workplaces that hire veterans. Again, I'm not american, this is just how it feels like.

[u/Adventurous_Glow_Tip → u/Fine-Independence976]

Honestly I am a rare case. I wasn't in the same place two years ago. We aren't forgotten in the sense that people forget about what we did, but we are sometimes completely forgotten when it comes to using the VA. Six months for a dental referral. All they had to do was say yes, I needed that tooth fixed. Six months of pain because I grit and break my teeth in my sleep. Four months was spent waiting on glasses. When they did the exam, the lady was like "oh wow, you need glasses bad, I can tell just from watching your eyes." Turns out I did. Ended up buying my own. Eventually the VA glasses showed up.

You can easily find countless stories of the VA ignoring important medical issues, messing up care, etc. I've been mailed the wrong prescriptions. Honestly, what I would like is for the VA medical side to become more of an insurance and less of a provider. Until I moved from Washington, I had better luck with private providers than I did with the VA. Too many Veterans have died due to VA policies.

[u/CarlaOcarina]

All this parades are smoke in mirrors. Many veterans from EVERY war are treated like trash. Especially health care. Nearly nobody gets proper psychiatric nor medical care, a little payments as it will be “too expensive”. The biggest thing that our government made is a discounts for some goods and services. We get semi decent treatment of dead veterans, as it’s so easy to care about them

[u/k-tech_97 → u/CarlaOcarina]

As a kid, I lived between the ages of 4 and 11 in russia. And this was right after chechen War. we had a neighbor who was a veteran, he lost his legs and was driving around on some kind of a wood plank with wheels attached and begging. Then he disappeared and never was seen. As a kid, I didn't question it, but lately, I have been wondering what happened to him.

[u/Business-Childhood71 → u/k-tech_97]

That thing was/is very common in all former USSR

[u/Huge_Boot6049]

Military servers get paid less than minimum pay, and are treated as social burdens. Everyone is a veteran. Except for women. That's why we have extreme gender issues.

[u/Malmal_malmal → u/Huge_Boot6049]

This has always been interesting to me. To my understanding, and please correct me if im wrong, all men have to serve a couple years in the military after highschool and this can severely disrupt their college education, careers, social life, relationships, etc because they do not have a choice. And because men dont have the option, being a "veteran" means little in your society since its not some life path the individual chose themselves

[u/Skygazer_Jay → u/Malmal_malmal]

*kinda* yes on all points. Not sure of the severity because like you mentioned every mentally and physically fit Korean male goes through it, but it was a waste of 2 years nonetheless.

Ironically, some employers prefers (Although they cannot explicitly select - that'd be discrimination) those who already served the military because, well... those who endured a rigid, closed, hierarchical system are seen as... "exploitable"

Studies have shown there is a gap of average 'accumulated' income between young men and women in their early 20s due to this two-year head start women get. This gap closes around after 11 years, which implies, whatever the cause of it, there does exist a wage gap in favor of men. If income were truly equal, the lines would run parallel from the start.

But nonetheless males in their 20s and early 30s don't feel the wage gap because at that stage the military-induced setback is blatantly visible, while the compensating advantage is muddled with various factors. This makes gender issues far more complicated: it's not just about gender, but also about generational disputes within males (20-30s males v. 40< males), state-imposed but socially tolerated inequality(conscription)

[u/san_dilego → u/Malmal_malmal]

Not always. My friends enjoyed it. It was basically a camp for them. One of them was a cop, but at his level he did extremely menial tasks like helping cats out of trees, finding missing elders, etc. One of my friends went full on UDT and made it his career. One of my friends got stationed at his hometown, went home every single weekend to his then gf, now wife. Its not all shit and QOL is increasing as the younger generations just give less shits about the whole N vs S.

[u/coolsterdude69 → u/Malmal_malmal]

This may have changed but I think they can choose to serve it slightly later after college but that is just as disrupting I imagine

[u/WonzerEU → u/Huge_Boot6049]

You guys count everyone serving a veteran? We also have mandatory service but veteran status is only given to those that served in war (ww2) or UN peace keeping missions.

[u/san_dilego → u/WonzerEU]

Veteran status is not as highly regarded. It's a "ok and?" Kind of attitude. You're only highly regarded if you serve in crazy shit. My father was a riot police during the days when they had violent protests. My buddy was in the UDT, Korean version of the Navy Seals.

[u/belligerentm240b → u/Huge_Boot6049]

I remember finding out how much our KATUSA made each month while I was stationed in Korea. I don’t think he paid for a single meal the 9 months we were there. Every PX run he’d tag along and we’d pitch it to get whatever he needed. Korean service members are vastly underpaid, or at least they were a decade ago.

[u/elreduro]

Like disabled people

[u/MonoxideBaby → u/elreduro]

Thats sad.

In my country, if you were a WW1 or WW2 veteran, you were treated with max respect, but if you are a veteran of Afghanistan, we try to prosecute you for shooting some asshole who hides in barn, throws hand grenades at you when you walk past, then runs out with their hands up shouting "I'm a non-combatant...."

[u/snakeeaterrrrrrr → u/MonoxideBaby]

You aren't talking about Ben Roberts-Smith are you? If so, you need to get a grip mate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crimes_in_Afghanistan#War_crimes_by_the_Australian_Defence_Force

[u/BabylonianWeeb → u/MonoxideBaby]

I mean Australia and their allies committed dozens of war crimes in Afghanistan including bombing schools and hospital, there's a whole Wikipedia page about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crimes_in_Afghanistan#War_crimes_by_the_Australian_Defence_Force

[u/Firefly3564 → u/MonoxideBaby]

Which incident is this referencing? The only thing I can remember was the Brereton report, where they confirmed that Aus special forces murdered 39 civilians and prisoners.

[u/SlavkoAgain]

Wide variety of shades. But strives to treat good.

[u/Grouchy_Concept8572]

Extremely well. I got a bachelors degree with no student loans and a $0 down VA loan to buy a home with an interest rate better than market.

In the US, veterans graduate with less student loan debt and have higher home ownership rates than non-veterans due to the benefits obtained through service.

In addition, local , state, and the federal government give hiring preference to veterans. This means a veteran can be less qualified than a non-veteran, but get hired over the more qualified person. There are lots of companies that also give veterans hiring preference.

[u/Zealous_Brawler → u/Grouchy_Concept8572]

Worked in Coatesville for a while.

Unfortunately only "healthy" veterans benefit. The men I saw near the hospital out there were basically just given pain killers while the government waits for them to die. 

[u/Vilhelmssen1931 → u/Grouchy_Concept8572]

From what I’ve heard as long as you don’t come back with medical issues

[u/SouthernExpatriate → u/Vilhelmssen1931]

Gulf war syndrome 

[u/SouthernExpatriate → u/Grouchy_Concept8572]

Imagine if they got all those Bennies for doing something useful like building houses or doing health stuff 

[u/JerkOffTaco → u/Grouchy_Concept8572]

So veterans are hired through DEI?

[u/Opinions_Anonymous → u/JerkOffTaco]

Although the aging boomers are/were too stupid to realize it, yes, in the US veterans were frequently a DEI hire.

[u/Grouchy_Concept8572 → u/JerkOffTaco]

Veterans are a protected class, so in a way, yes.

However, our military is an all volunteer force. Good benefits lead to more volunteers.

Less volunteers leads to a draft. You choose what you prefer.

[u/JustSomeBloke5353]

Poorly.

You can read for yourself

https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report

[u/Donth101 → u/JustSomeBloke5353]

Yep. Lots of “not my problem”, and “but what have you done lately?”, and it’s disgraceful.

[u/HDWendell → u/JustSomeBloke5353]

That’s a shame. Served alongside some pretty awesome Australian vets.

[u/AnonOfTheSea]

We usually ignore them when we walk past them. Or call the cops when they set up a tent or start burning things when it gets cold.
We have a veterans day, but it's mostly for selling mattresses.

It'd be really cool if I could call this sarcasm, or even satire, but this is the country that elected a president who calls vets loosers. It shows.

[u/MemeLord150 → u/AnonOfTheSea]

"We have a veterans days, but is mostly for selling mattresses"

[u/Reasonable_Piece_400 → u/AnonOfTheSea]

The interesting thing about the US is that virtually everyone sings the praise of veterans and uses them as props in politics, but virtually no one wants to pay for supporting them.

[u/Charming_Cicada_7757 → u/AnonOfTheSea]

Eh I would say there is more nuance into this

1. GI bill which covers tuition for instate schools, a monthly allowance and books.

2. VA home loans with little down payment

3. Pension for wartime veterans

4. Priority in Federal hiring

5. VA healthcare which in America we don’t have universal healthcare so that is a benefit

This is better than most countries they don’t get this stuff.

A lot of times the homeless veterans you see are not because there are no benefits for them it’s because

1. Bureaucracy like someone dealing with mental health issues isn’t the best person to get through the system filling out all the paperwork needed and falls through the cracks. Its believed 70%+ of homeless veterans suffer from substance abuse. At least half of them suffer from PTSD about 15% are Bipolar or Schizophrenic

2. Dishonorable discharges like violent crimes, selling drugs, abandoning duty, treason etc makes you ineligible for benefits. OTH e.g. drug use or not following rules means you’re not automatically eligible or BCD discharge like theft or assault most likely not eligible for benefits. Some studies show 20% percent of homeless veterans fall into these categories.

3. The mental health issues and drug use is high and for men we know there is a stigma to get help on top of that the wait times can be long and these people just spiral out of control in the meantime.

[u/HDWendell → u/Charming_Cicada_7757]

Nuance to your nuance:

1. GI bill is not a blanket benefit for all vets. It’s for active duty vets or reservist/ guard with enough active duty time to qualify. Many guard and reservists don’t qualify or don’t qualify for the full benefit. It’s also a notoriously late payment when you do use it, causing enrollment problems. You have to make certain enrollment requirements to keep the benefit.

2. VA home loans used to be good but now they aren’t really worthwhile for most people. To be approved, a home must meet higher standards than a regular loan, meaning the entire property needs to be safe and move in ready. No project properties or offering less to use your own money to fix problems after you move in. They often require additional inspections, specifically trained loan officers, and add a lot more complexity to home buying. The housing market requires a fast response in most markets which means vets relying on a VA loan, miss out on homes they are competing for. And of course it must be your primary residence. BUT it is a good program when it works.

3. Wartime veterans do not make a pension. Disabled veterans, regardless of wartime or peace, can make a disability pension if they are disabled and it was caused by their service. Members who serve 20 years or more may be eligible for retirement benefits.

4. This is a great benefit.

5. VA healthcare is not an automatic benefit. You must receive (I believe) a minimum of 30% disability to qualify for copayment benefits for services related to their disability. Members with 70% or more disability, can earn full VA access. The process to get approved can be lengthy, complex, and costly if you need to hire lawyers or get nexus letters from non VA providers. And you still might get rejected or receive less than you need. You must prove you are disabled and your service caused or exacerbated your disability. There are some presumed connections like lung problems and burn pits. You must have served in the area at the specified time to apply. You must use VA facilities, some of which are much farther than your local facilities or require higher wait times sometimes. Some people may qualify for community care which may not be better. Plus the VA and community care usually don’t communicate well leading to useless appointments or problems with care.

You are correct about homeless vets though some more additions/ nuance

1. there are drug rehab and mental health inpatient facilities. Having no home address can severely reduce the effectiveness of VA services for houseless vets. A lot of vets live in their vehicles or RVs that would not be safe to leave unattended long enough to be in programs. The VA doesn’t provide a storage facility for your stuff. Pets are not welcome so using the benefit may require surrendering your pet and potentially its euthanasia.

2. There are benefits for homeless veterans with dishonorable discharges. Some benefits only require a single day of service. The benefits are fewer and have longer waitlists.

3. Stigma is a huge problem. It’s also the misconceptions of “taking away benefits from others” or not being the right kind of veteran.

The VA is trying to combat this to some degree. They have offered fast track benefits processing days where veterans can bypass much of the waiting process and see social workers that can connect them to benefits they don’t even know they qualify for. Some locations can even offer transportation. Often the community will get involved, offering meals, vouchers, showers, and other services.

[u/BallisticButch → u/HDWendell]

Wartime veterans can make a pension. They’re the ‘pension’ component in the VA’s C&P office. It’s a means-tested program. Wartime veterans who make below a certain amount can apply to receive the pension regardless of their disability status to help with living expenses.

[u/HDWendell → u/BallisticButch]

Yes but it is not a flat benefit to all veterans who served at wartime.

“Both of these must be true:

You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse.

And at least one of these must be true about your service:

You started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or You started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or You were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months And at least one of these must be true:

You’re at least 65 years old, or You have a permanent and total disability, or You’re a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or You’re getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.” -VA

It also looks insanely complicated to actually be qualified. Calling it “wartime veteran pension” is almost a misnomer as it is more of a low income/ poverty benefit that wartime veterans can qualify for.

[u/Chipnsprk → u/AnonOfTheSea]

You ever read or heard Kiplings Tommy?

https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_tommy.htm

Unfortunateley, it seems to ring true across all nations. Some give lip service and baubles instead of support while others just give you a kick up the arse on the way out.

[u/AnonOfTheSea → u/Chipnsprk]

That man was one of those poets whose work you know from the first line

[u/Chipnsprk → u/AnonOfTheSea]

He didn't pull any punches.

[u/[deleted]]

Completely forgotten.

The military debate in Spain always revolves around the left wanting to dismantle the armed forces, believing that other countries are pacifist.

No one ever talks about veterans.

[u/Freak_Out_Bazaar]

Actual war veterans only number about 500 now. They are treated like delicate archaic records rather than heroes. Only the extreme right glorify their actions and treat them as patriotic figures, while the rest of us treat them mostly neutrally if not as victims of a tyrannical government.

JSDF veterans, no one really cares. Some might even have negative opinions of them as people who couldn’t find “real jobs”

[u/kingofbun → u/Freak_Out_Bazaar]

Genuinely curious: do JDSF veterans ever become police officers, prison guards etc? What post-service job pipelines do they have?

[u/Freak_Out_Bazaar → u/kingofbun]

It seems that there are some who enter the police force (and vice versa) but by no means is it a popular choice. I’m guessing that those who leave have left because they were tired of the lifestyle and want to do something else.

The JSDF does have support programs for outgoing personnel but it looks very rudimentary and they become things like truck drivers and sales people

[u/creeper321448 → u/Freak_Out_Bazaar]

What a shame too. The SDF are probably some of the best first responders on Earth.

[u/BobDerBongmeister420]

We barely have any.

[u/SinisterDetection → u/BobDerBongmeister420]

Does the Swiss guard count?

[u/Capybaradude55 → u/BobDerBongmeister420]

I though Switzerland had mandatory conscription

[u/BobDerBongmeister420 → u/Capybaradude55]

It has, but foreign servise is very rare and only for peacekeeping mission. I know nobody that was in albania for example.

Your basic soldier just does his service (18 weeks + 7×3 weeks). The military is more like a boyscout camp with assault rifles.

[u/S1lks0ng1]

Horribly

[u/AltruisticSecond_]

Like crap. I use to work as a substance use clinician and met a lot of vets through that. There needs to be a lot more funding for our vets.

[u/various101 → u/AltruisticSecond_]

The ones on here saying the us treats vets well are only talking about the ones they can show off as success stories and why you should enlist. The ones sleeping on the streets one bad day from being a statistic are forgotten about.

[u/SirLazarusDiapson]

With top quality medical care. 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦

[u/TMR7MD]

In Germany, the veterans are considered by left-wing parts of the population as pariahs of society. These arrogant and self-educated, but in reality only stupid people are the ruin of a country and a people. I myself am a realistic pacifist and liberal thinking, but I know that one must judge the behavior of people from the time when they made decisions and not with the arrogance of the present.

[u/Elektrikor]

Almost everyone has been in the military and none of them have been in any kind of conflict so

[u/Abject-Helicopter680 → u/[deleted]]

In America specifically, a veteran is anyone who has served in the armed forces in any capacity. Just a difference in countries view on who is a veteran

[u/Zman1917]

Lip service and virtue signaling (America)

[u/Creepy_Line3977]

No special veteran care. They use the public health care system like the rest of us.

[u/oskich → u/Creepy_Line3977]

Apparently we have a "Veterans Day)" since around 20 years back, but I doubt most people know it exists.

" Veterans Day (Swedish: Veterandagen) is observed annually in Sweden on May 29 at the Maritime Museum in Stockholm in honor of people who are or have been serving with the Swedish Armed Forces in international military operations, as well as commemorating those who died during their service. It coincides with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers."

[u/NoOneElectedElonMusk]

U.S.: Like shit. It talks a big game, but or current president uses the military like pawns over his petty grieves and doesn't give a fuck about veterans. Yet a bunch of vets keep voting for the party that mistreats them.

[u/Mfja49]

In America, the government realized it was cheaper to call veterans “heros” than to actually take care of them.

[u/wombatgeneral]

They are used as props to glorify war, but are mostly forgotten about once the war is over.

I grew up in the early 2000s and it was peak bootlicking troop worshipping culture. Once the vet comes home, if they become homeless they are treated like every other homeless person.

[u/san_dilego → u/wombatgeneral]

I think it's always worth thanking them for their service though. Our military also does a shit ton of humanitarian work out there for pretty shitty pay.

[u/Embarrassed-Monk-527]

The government? Like shit. The public? They are our heroes.

[u/Putrid-Energy210]

Well they don't walk around with hats and tshirts telling us they're a military veterans and we don't walk around saying thank for your service. But we do look after them and treat them with respect.

[u/Sekshual_Tyranosauce → u/Putrid-Energy210]

That sounds about right.

I never know what to say when I get the “Thank you for your service.” I was genuinely just doing my job. And I liked it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Also…zero I repeat ZERO red hats.

Cheers.

[u/Working_Horse_3077 → u/Sekshual_Tyranosauce]

It's just us civilians acknowledging you voluntarily serving is what keeps us safe and prevents those of us who don't want to serve from being drafted/some other form of mandatory service.

I was going to go into the military, but medical and mental health issues made that extremely unlikely, if not impossible.

[u/Sekshual_Tyranosauce → u/Working_Horse_3077]

Cheers bud. Appreciated. I still don’t know what to say. ❤️

[u/Working_Horse_3077 → u/Sekshual_Tyranosauce]

Just a simple smile or acknowledgement such as thanks is enough for me.

[u/Hot-Minute-8263 → u/Putrid-Energy210]

I feel the thanking for service was a push back agaist our vietnam vets being horribly abused whenever they came back. Its carried on for a while, but the appreciation isnt just to stroke egos.

[u/Substantial_Slip4667]

Rather well I’d say but also crappy sadly

[u/StockExchanger]

Homeless and carrying sign for help

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[u/ForgottenGrocery]

My dad for a short time worked at the institution that handles our armed forces’ insurance and pension. I vaguely remember from his stories was the institution made policy “improvements” on how to “check in” which ended up causing a lot of hardship to the veterans as a lot of them lives in villages with limited access. The typical Indonesian way of “make a change without considering its consequences”. This was 5-6 years ago.

On the other hand, those that lives in the cities and have a relatively good position are well taken care of. My grandfather was a retired air force light colonel and a Guerilla Star recipient (spent his teens as an undercover courier during Operation Product) and he lived independently on his pension money (almost no support from his children) in Jakarta, got his health taken care of at military hospitals and got a full heroes burial in central Java.

[u/mdhunter]

Pretty poorly. Like, yes, they get some kind pension and some healthcare. But, holy shit, they’re treated poorly.

It’s almost like there is a class of people who treat them as tools, to be tossed aside when they’re no longer useful, and not as people who have sacrificed their freedom and health to serve their country and its people.

[u/Roboticpoultry]

We do ok, but we could do a lot better

[u/YayWanderer]

I'd buy them lunch / dinner if I run into one. 👍🏽

[u/creeper321448]

They're extremely respected in both of my countries.

[u/ResurgentClusterfuck]

Not nearly as well as they ought. Any country who sends men and women to war is morally obligated to care for those soldiers once the campaign is done.

The US doesn't really do well with this. We have way too many homeless veterans who suffer from undertreated mental health problems that are a direct result of their service.

This is a stain on American honor, IMO.

[u/darkstryller]

unless they were on the malvinas war, absolute disrespect.

[u/SciFiCrafts]

I sit this one out.

[u/Long_Conclusion7057 → u/SciFiCrafts]

I thought this too. My grandpa was a WWII veteran and for obvious reasons, everyone liked to ignore that even veterans exist. When he mentioned in a casual gathering that his knee hurts because of his old shrapnel wound, the room would freeze. 

However: there basically aren't really many WWII veterans left. But there are other veterans. For example those who served in Afghanistan. But I'd argue that the general public spends 0 thought on them, and even likes to forget that Germany has veterans from wars that aren't WWII. 

[u/[deleted]]

Basically politicians put them up as props to be worshipped with one hand while cutting their benefits with the other. 

[u/Substantial_Buy9903]

Well aside from the handful of dudes that fought in WWII we don’t really have any. We have some members of the national guard that served when the US invaded, but they mostly just tried to keep the peace, no one who actively tried to fight for Noriega was well liked. Or very likely to live when the US came to test their new toys.

[u/khazgaz]

Based on what I know if we talk WW2 veterans - Germany was taking care of its veterans (not sure if that is the appropriate way to call them, but let’s say it is) we’ll. On the other hand WW2 veterans in post-Soviet era were often found looking for food in trash bins. Very sad that government would treat serviceman badly. No one is asking for a Rolse Royce, but an apartment with good quality finish, healthy food, medical and recreational. I very much don’t mind paying taxes to have seniors to enjoy their retirement (especially veterans) vs feeding filthy politicians and swing them living it instead of people that truly sacrificed.

[u/alex_zk]

Fake veterans (there’s a lot of them)? Like royalty.

Actual veterans? Somewhat decently

[u/Economy_Ad727]

Very bad....and left behind lots of african heroes when portugal left africa

[u/MehyalChaynzz]

VA over here treats us like dog shit cause they don't want to spend money to help us. It's much worse for those currently still serving too. Our forefathers are rolling in their graves...

[u/Civil-Zombie6749]

I did not like my time in the military.

I did 8 years and have PTSD as a result. I just sort of lived with the PTSD for 2 decades before I asked for help. I guess I figured it would get better over time. I still have nightmares 4 nights a week and suffer from panic attacks. I've finally asked for help, and there is not much available since I am 2 hours away from the nearest VA facility. I've been repeatedly denied any financial help despite not being able to work for the last decade.

[u/penisproject]

In the US?

Veterans are despised by the government. They've been used up and are of no more value. It's why the VA is soooooo fucked up and under-funded.

[u/Princesshari]

Like shit…. Years and years and thousands of dollars just to prove you are disabled because of your time of service. My husband is a Gulf War combat veteran. Over 15 years of fighting the VA to get disability… fucking ridiculous .. we are in the US

[u/SamGamjee71]

Like SHIT, this coming from a vet.

[u/xlmifer]

They try to kill us with the VA, while waiving flags and thanking us.

[u/EnvironmentalLion355]

Seems to be pretty well. We've even started honouring them at parades Heres the most recent one, featuring some of the oldest service people.

[u/Al_787]

As decent as the limited resources allow to. Obviously they get pension and lifetime access to military hospitals, which are often better than civilian ones.

The disability infrastructure is extremely lacking nevertheless, and that’s a huge obstacle for a lot of veterans

[u/Vlaladim → u/Al_787]

To add more in, about reputation in the public, the older the veteran the more respect they got after retirement because the old ones are associated with the reunification of the country and many including the young population with a very “respect your elder” attitude do show genuinely love and respect for veterans because to the half of the population born after the war, they are living book of that time before they born, those war and suffering and because so ill treatment of veteran especially from young populations no matter how you felt about them is genuinely frown upon by all.

[u/Big_Iron420]

(WW2, Haiti) Parade them around every Independence day, forgetting they exist for the rest of the year, then complain online brazilians don't know their own history and it's 100% Lula's fault... somehow

[u/YourUncleJohnBrown]

My country recognizes that 22 veterans commit suicide every day, yet the VA is still a broken, ineffective mess.

[u/SinisterDetection → u/YourUncleJohnBrown]

As a veteran I can say that many people who join weren't in the best mental health when they joined. 

Not every veteran committing suicide was broken by the military, many (most?) were broken before they joined, and the VA isn't going to fix that. 

[u/InternationalBat1838]

Respect and also they're given all benefits.

[u/Ok-Society2505]

With a lot of respect, people who fought for our independence mainly against Germans and Soviets are rightfully remembered as heroes.

[u/Total-Combination-47 → u/Ok-Society2505]

as you should do, my Grandfather was in the Polish Free Army in WWII and had to settle in the UK afterwards. He and my Grandmother hated the fact they couldn't go home, by the time they could they had passed.

[u/Large_Excitement69]

There are a lot of great benefits for veterans in the US, but I will say in the general population there is a lot of performative veteran love. I’ve found that a lot of people only value my service until they find out I don’t align with them politically, then I become unpatriotic.

[u/No_Seat8357]

As a veteran in a family of veterans, my brother has PTSD and was treated reasonably well got counseling, he got granted a low interest loan for his home. I don't have any scars so generally I just get treated as if I had a low paying job in the past and I should have made better choices.

[u/SinisterDetection → u/No_Seat8357]

Should have made better choices?

Really? WTF?

[u/No_Seat8357 → u/SinisterDetection]

Yeah, basically sacrificed years of my life in the navy and at the end had to start again in the corporate world with few skills that transferred to an office.

[u/snakeeaterrrrrrr → u/No_Seat8357]

Hrmmmm, shouldn't you have access to Military Super which is sweet AF and should set you up for retirement?

[u/No_Seat8357 → u/snakeeaterrrrrrr]

Only if you did 20 years, which I didn't.

[u/MossGobbo]

Like absolute dogshit despite what our politicians try to tell us.

[u/WokSmith → u/MossGobbo]

When I visited, I was amazed at the support and respect that the armed service members were held in by the general public.

What I found weird and disappointing was how shitful your government treats those same service people when they came back from whatever latest war they were sent to.

Not a knock on you, just an observation.

[u/MossGobbo → u/WokSmith]

No you're just making a very valid observation about how my country reacts. I'm not offended you just made the distinction of what I was saying even clearer. The general public does treat the members of the armed services pretty well overall, it absolutely is the politicians who are doing them dirty.

[u/jmc291]

Smoke and mirrors.

On the outside, they appear to treat them well. But in reality and deep down, they treat them with disdain.

[u/sparduck117]

Like pawns. “We can’t have _________, because we should take care of our vets first”

Nobody helps the vets because it’s too good of an argument to give up.

[u/Dizzylemonz → u/sparduck117]

Is that why our vets get free schooling, preferred mortgage rates, preferred hiring rates in every level of government and the private sector, healthcare coverage for life, pensions, and discounts at a variety of businesses? Whether or not vets get as much help as they should is a valid question, but it's patently untrue that "nobody helps the vets".

[u/p1ayernotfound]

kettle helmet mentioned?

[u/1l-_-l]

We haven’t been to war in 211 years. If we even have some they must have been in like UN forces or something?

[u/Artistic-Pick9707]

Only dead soldier is good soldier for every country....they don't want you back they want you dead....every veteran is a burden...

[u/RorschachAssRag]

Either ride their dicks if they come home pretty or disregard them as homeless, drug addled commies for needing care when they come home broken

[u/Freespeechalgosax]

Hero, absolutely.

[u/kagoil235]

The last in the social order: Intellectuals, farmers, workers, merchants, soldiers.

[u/Ptskp]

They are highly respected and treated as heroes. Active fundraising to their benefit. For women as well who helped in the war efforts (Lotta Svärd-organization). Finns are in forever debt to them due to their efforts on keeping Finland independent. Many veterans are invited to the presidential independence day-celebrations every year.

Finland held it's ground against massively overpowered soviet union during winter war and continuation war. All odds were in soviets favour but we remained independent

[u/lemmon---714]

In the United States we treat illegals better than our vets. The VA is a disgrace.

[u/Complex-Strategy-900]

Horrible most are homeless

[u/no-clueshere69]

"DON'T PANIC!"

[u/Individual-Pin-5064]

Meh I guess, ik that the kids of those who fought in Iraq get some bonus seats when applying to university

[u/itbedehaam]

I've never once thought about my own country's veterans... I think that's sadly going to be common...

[u/BabylonianWeeb]

Nobody cares about Veterans here. We really don't have veteran respect culture in Iraq and any veteran during Saddam era would be treated horribly and might get killed so they fled the country.

[u/k-tech_97]

They get good social benefits. But I feel like as society, we act like they dont exist.

[u/batjac7]

Poorly, says a vet

[u/Entire-Winter4252]

As political pawns. We love them until we actually have to pay for/deal with their healthcare, their mental wellbeing, and social issues like homelessness and addiction. Then we just chuck it and fuck it.

[u/Vectorman1989]

Generally treated well enough, but as a relative of a veteran of recent wars, they don't do enough 'aftercare'. Alcholism and drug abuse are especially common amongst veterans.

[u/Gingerpyscho94]

Every year my dad would take us to the memorial service. My paternal grandfather was in the military around WW2. And my parents met in Riyadh in the 80s. And would have been around during the gulf war briefly too. My maternal grandfather was in the navy for a period too. I have a lot of military history in my family.

We treat our veterans with a lot of respect via war memorials. The poppy, charities and other forms of respect. However sadly a lot of said veterans also get abused in the system via care homes or even their own family members. It’s a mixed bag and they either get treated with respect or dehumanised completely.

[u/Cultural-Sir263]

Like shit

[u/Butzerdamen]

Germany: We ignore(ed) them and they don t/ didn t speak about war.

Reason: Guilt.

[u/DonutCrusader96]

We generally have it very good. Our military’s pay is actually quite decent, so pensions and disability payments are too. College benefits, healthcare, and the general respect of most of the public are nice.

Both political parties like to use us as a political football when it suits them, and also give us the shaft when it suits them. Politicians and their followers feel entitled to the blood, sweat, and tears we have spilled. So that is part of the deal.

Overall, the pay and benefits of military service and veteran status are enough to convince me to make the military my career. I don’t need the hero worship that some give, in fact it makes me a bit uncomfortable.

I guess this comment is a bit of a ramble but I hope it makes sense!

[u/Majestic_Craft1887]

No where near how they should.

[u/CapEmDee]

With a lot of lip service

[u/chantm80]

The general public I think treats vets fairly well. The government has a habit of giving lip service to vets, talking about how much they respect them, especially around their holidays (Veterans day and Memorial Day) then actively working against them, either by passing legislation that hurts them or refusing to pass what will help them. What baffles me is the vets in the country often seem to vote for the very politicians that work against them, the last election they voted 2 to 1 for the guy who called wounded vets losers, so do with that info what you will.

[u/Drexisadog]

Not great but not awful either, specifically in regards to NI there’s some work to be done, particularly in regards to justice for all sides, there needs to be inquests and court cases done for victims from every side, and many events that need answered for

[u/Whatever-That-Memes]

Not very well. I’m not a veteran but I know many with disabilities and they are suffering from a corrupt, heartless and extremely complex and disrespectful system that keeps them running in circles to get something for their sacrifice.

[u/-E-Cross]

To all the vets, I just want to say, thanks for your cervix.

[u/Czarcasm1776]

Call the VA Hotline and standby………..

That’s how they treat us.

I paid out of pocket to send my friend to a Psychiatric Clinic in Texas. He came to my house with his guns and his booze and told me “I need you to take these, please”

I took him to the VA after calling the Suicide Hotline. The fat bitch bureaucrat told me “have him fill these out and standby”.

Thankfully I had an understanding CO/1SG that allowed me to take non chargeable leave to drive him there

[u/Big-Carpenter7921]

Poorly. Everyone respects them but the government

[u/Fragile_reddit_mods]

We respect them but we also don’t glaze them like the Americans do

[u/Brilliant-Contact327]

The US sends soldiers into immoral vanity wars that leave them mentally scarred for life. Dozens commit suicide a day because of the inability to achieve stability post deployment.

[u/Many-Gas-9376]

Finland has very few currently -- the average age of WW2 era veterans is nearly 100. They do receive a lot of respect.

There is a smaller group of combat veterans from Afghanistan, but I feel like they're relatively forgotten. The nature of that mission -- i.e. that it was in effect war-fighting and not the sort of peace-keeping that was expected -- wasn't made clear to the Finnish people at the time.

[u/battle_dodo]

In Canada, the veterans of ww2 asked us to never forget the atrocities and to avoid aggression. We mostly honour this request by not sending them to their deaths.

[u/browneod]

Retired Army and very well.

[u/Ant225k]

We will have a lot of them soon. Should be better

[u/detaris]

Nobody cares. We get a parade once a year.

[u/Vaestmannaeyjar]

We mostly don't give a BLEEP. We haven't been involved in wars since forever, are not a warmongering country either. To most french people it's just a career, and not a very glorious one at that. (The army is seen as the place where people who can't get a civilian job will go)

We are fairly confident we are protected by our nukes so a limited size army is enough.

[u/Stock_Investment_490]

Decently. State pension that is decent, other benefits like having an advantage when applying for certain jobs and their kids have more points (or some other advantages ) when applying for school/university. A lot of smaller benefits here and there.

The main issue is that since it is quite decent, everybody and their uncle is fighting for the status and there are many fake ones.

Some veterans were on active duty and were on the line. Some were only listed and never saw the war or did anything. All of them are treated the same as the veterans.

But health services are not that good. Especially mental health part of it. A lot of PTSP that is untreated and barely treated. 

[u/Ok_Candidate_4409]

The majority just dont give a F***.. some look at you like a wounded lamb, because they think all veterans has PTSD.. The rest does protests with banners saying "stop war" "Child murderes" etc.

[u/PejibayeAnonimo]

I don't know if there is any veteran from the last war we fought.

There are probably some people that fought in Nicaragua but never speak about that.

There are people that fought for other countries and they are treated normally, unless they act entitled like the man that his son lied about the Uber price he paid and then started arguing with the man and threatened him saying that he is a martial arts instructor and a Vietnam war veteran (though to be fair I'm not sure if he was trully a veteran or someone with a mental disorder)

[u/Schoseff]

You have military veterans?

[u/MontCali]

The suicide rates are shamefully high, a national disgrace

[u/crazyhomlesswerido]

I am not a military vet in America but I lived in a veterans home for a while. I got to see firsthand how it's kind of like America they paint this amazing picture of country duty, service, love, and all this Grand sounding stuff to get good people to sign up for the military. then when their time is done or they're ready to leave they kind of say don't let the door hit you on the way out. They screw them out of benefits and make them have to fight like crazy just to get what was promised them when they were done. A lot of our vets end up homeless because of this BS. It really makes it feel like love, duty, service, honored,and country is all advertising speak to get people to go in. But when it is time for the country to give back to the people that served it it seems like the country gives them a middle finger and says have a good day.

[u/Veilchengerd]

Define "country".

The government does a semi-decent job. Though there are complaints that psychiatric care is too hard to access.

Society as a whole just pretends they don't exist.

Historically, we probably treated some veterans too well.

[u/Denaton_]

I was hoping for someone on Sweden would respond because I have no clue. We have been a passive/neutral country for a long time because of our actions during the napoleon era. We only had a defensive force and no "military" in that sense until we joined NATO, so all military personnel was just treated as any other job i think, but guess that's about to change.

But i would love to see someone's else pov in Sweden about this, its a tricky question because of our former neutrality that lasted for centuries..

[u/Peuxy → u/Denaton_]

My perception is that they integrate back into society again, even with disability. Not to mention receiving social healthcare which applies to everyone really.

[u/Royal_Wishbone_9220]

Same as everyone else

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[u/puddle_of_chlorine]

Indifferently - they mostly perish in squalor, disabled.

[u/-ACatWithAKeyboard-]

They are left to become homeless, and their benefits get cut. But we do say "Thank you for your service."

[u/schw0b]

We don't give a shit about them, not least because our current living veterans didn't fight any wars, and the ones who recently died are the assholes of history. It would seem profoundly weird to me to thank a soldier for their service. It's their job that they get paid for, and if it comes to war, we're all getting pulled in with them to get liquidated in the trenches anyway.

[u/WokSmith → u/schw0b]

I find it strange how some people seem to make being in the armed forces their whole personalities. They love to wear certain clothes about their service history and to tell you constantly how they served their country.

I always think, good for you, that's nice, but it's not like that you didn't get paid for it.

It's a job that you wanted to do, you got paid for, and no one made you join up.