The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is an organization dedicated to supporting service members in Veteran status. Multiple benefits, financial support packages, and educational opportunities are available to your Veteran. In fact, many people who work at the Veterans Affairs (VA) are Veterans themselves, so they know first-hand what your Soldier is going through and thier needs.

As your Soldier makes this transition they may need patience. Some processes may be very quick and others may take more time to allow the experts to do thorough evaluations and determinations.

Your Soldier will remain a Veteran for life and continue to receive benefits along with their family members. By becoming a Veteran, your Soldier will move from identifying as a Soldier to identifying as a Veteran. For some this can be a difficult transition that is met with concern and fear. For others there is a sense of pride and peace. You will need to be there for your Soldier and may need to help listen as they process this transition and what it means to them. Continue to be supportive and an active listener to you can stay involved. You can also access the Veterans Affairs website at: https://www.va.gov to learn more about the organization and what they provide to your Soldier.

When your Soldier returns to Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) they have made the decision to continue to serve the Army. Since this is a very personal decision as well as a professional decision, there is a likely a very deep value-driven reason to stay. It is important to continue to respect your Soldier as they work their way through their new Military Occupation. In fact, your support may be even more important as they return to the same organization they came from but now has different capabilities and potential limitations.

You or your Soldier may find they now need support where they did not need support before. This may include modified transportation, different schedules of service, and different types of service that may be unfamiliar. While the Army will provide the necessary support to your Soldier, your Soldier may reach out directly to process their feelings, share their status, and request guidance. It is important to respect your Soldier's boundaries while remaining open and available when they need you.

Just as the proper medical attention, physical exercises, evaluations, and recovery plans were vital to your Soldier's recovery process, the same activities will continue to be critical to thier sustainment and balance. As they enter into their new period of life, they will have a series of support networks around them. Both the Army and Veteran's Affairs maintain hospitals, clinics, services, groups, and benefits to help you, your Soldier, and your Soldier’s loved ones approach and accept elements of their new status.

The following are a list of services available:

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Beyond the formal support, your informal support will remain critical. Staying connected and involved in your Soldier's life will remain vital to their well-being. Both of you have experienced a very profound journey with significant transformation. This connection will forever bond you and provide the platform for honest, trusting, and supporting conversation. Continue to instill this place of peace and safety for your Soldier but also help them find new outlets that allow them to thrive and grow. It is not fair to you or them to be the only source of support. The wider their support network, the more avenues they have for strength.

If during this process, you have lost your Soldier, know that there is a strong network of care that is available for you to process your loss. They made the greatest sacrifice and in their service have advanced the security of the nation. And while their service is complete, you are still being called to serve where they left off. Maintaining grace, accepting fate, and positively embracing the Army and Civilian communities that is waiting for you, allowing you to carry on for them. This role is not easy but you have been called to fight in your own way and it up to you show the same level of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage your Soldier embraced.

Your Soldier recover and return to their life. Now, others will be going through the same journey and processing all the feelings and emotions you did. Maybe you feel called to give a testimony on this site or maybe you want to make yourself available to new Caregivers who may need someone to talk to or listen. No matter how you feel called to continue to support. Know that you served and that your service was vital to the success of your Soldier and peace of your nation. HOOAH!