This past week has been a rough one. My recent trip to Walter Reed for treatment, and afterwards being rushed to the ER left my family and I a bit shaken. But despite the experience, I am lucky…my support network of a loving wife, family and friends could not be stronger. However, what if I was a junior, unmarried soldier that had suffered one of the countless horrific wounds that news media channels highlight on TV each day? Would I be as fortunate? The simple answer is no, there will always be those wounded veterans that have to face the seen and unseen wounds of war alone, without family or command support, or a network that truly gets what they are experiencing. Serving in an altered capacity, facing a medical board, and a complete loss of identity by possibly not wearing a uniform again; or attaining the professional career goals I set has been difficult and yet a renewing experience. The difficulties are a strength as I have first-hand seen the real difficulties we as veterans face….unity. In peacetime, combat or on weekends in the National Guard we are unified through a vast network of human resources, housing, career management, healthcare,  and leadership in order to accomplish our mission. Everyone in the military can remember a Non Commissioned Officer or leader that rook the time to mentor us, and show us “the way” in the military.  However, once a soldier is severely injured, or separated where is that mentor or same unified network? Through federal, state, local, and non profit organizations there are mechanisms in place to assist the separated veteran, but they vary in efficiency depending on where you are. Unifying all of these organizations under one common operating network for the nearly 24 million veterans residing in the United States is the only way we will ever be truly able to provide help for those that simply cannot help themselves.

The issues veterans face are complex and unable to be solved simply by increased spending or a creating a new bureaucracy. Homefront engagement by all stakeholders is paramount to success in mitigating the long-term costs of providing medical and disability care to veterans. Providing a seamless transition from active duty to veteran status is a goal of The Frontlines: “To empower members of the armed forces, veterans, family and friends through a network that provides resources, education and a platform for creatively sharing their stories from the frontlines.”

To learn more about our cause or post your organization’s information on our site please email me at askthewarrant@thefrontlines.com or visit us at www.thefrontlines.com. Thank you. “Fronts Change. Memories Don’t.”

Very respectfully,

The Warrant