A major military conflict or war affects more than just the service members currently serving in the military; it also impacts those who served before them. While active-duty personnel and their families often face the most immediate challenges—especially when deployments send them overseas—the effects of war do not end when service does. Veterans, particularly those who experienced combat, often carry the lasting impact of war long after leaving the military.
One of the strange things about leaving the military is how pieces of that life can still find their way into everyday moments, often in the most unexpected ways. Life can feel normal again—almost completely disconnected from the military world you once knew. Then, in an instant, something brings those memories or emotions rushing back to the surface. Few things can be more jarring for a military veteran than hearing about a new conflict in the Middle East, especially when the events leading up to it feel sudden and dramatic.
Waking up to war
Waking up to news of war and hearing about service members dying overseas is likely difficult for anyone who hears it. But for a combat veteran, the news carries a different weight—the weight of war. It brings with it a unique understanding of what the next generation of service members will experience. Across different conflicts, the challenges of being a service member remain universal in the impact they have on human emotions.
“I feel all sorts of ways about this but, mostly empathy for our service members.” –Army veteran
Mental Health Challenges to Veterans
Beyond the understanding of war and the challenges it will bring to those who must bear its weight, there are other issues that may arise and affect veterans. One example is the mental health aspect. News of conflict can trigger post-traumatic stress or bring back difficult emotions. These reactions can make it hard to move forward with daily life and, in some cases, may require support or intervention to help veterans cope and continue moving forward.
“I continually rely on meditation and grounding to help deal with the emotions that have been stirred up. I’m also looking into getting therapy again to help deal with the emotions that have come up.” – Air Force veteran
Added to the emotions can also be the connection to people who are still serving, with some serving overseas. Also, the loss of service members fighting overseas can bring back memories of those who were lost while serving.
“I’m just having random bouts of crying because of the soldiers getting killed in Iran. Whether I agree or disagree with the President, these troops are following orders, just like I did. It reminds me of the troops that my unit lost during the war.” -Army veteran
Remembering Those we Lost
War can also bring back memories of a veteran’s military service, which can bring both good and difficult emotions to the forefront. It may push veterans to do what they were trained to do: compartmentalize. By doing so, they can keep moving forward, even if they are not ready to fully process what is happening.
It is important to check in on those you know who have served and to give them grace and understanding. Simply knowing you have someone to talk to is a gift that can help more than people realize. As a veteran who served in Afghanistan and who has struggled with mental health, seeing the “Are you doing okay?” text shortly after the conflict began meant that I had someone I could talk to. It meant I wasn’t alone in my struggles. It was exactly what I needed.
