Serving as a part time Veteran Peer Specialist is one of the most rewarding endeavors I have ever participated in. Our veterans are truly amazing people with extraordinary character traits. It is a true loss to society when the combat veteran is not transition and welcomed back home after the battle is done. We cannot teach the skills and character they have learned the hard way in the classroom or in many civilian jobs.
Over the past year I have encounter many veterans, but all veterans want three things:
· A job
· Healthcare and a safe place to live
· The compensation and benefits of service that society promised them
My fellow Peer Specialist and I via the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program have help many veterans find the path then the road to transition back home. You just have to take the time and listen to the Vet and provide the road map with the support tools to jump start them along. It takes about a year to 18 months to make the transition on average. However, the Vet has to take the first step and reach out.