Whether you have served in the military for two years or a decade, you are still considered a veteran. It is no big secret that the time spent in the military is hard to deal with; it doesn’t matter if you have long left the military. Compared to civilian life, military life has a structure, routine, and purpose; you work clockwise. That is why making the transition from active duty to life to civilian life because there are many challenges that you will face.
The below mentioned are some of the common challenges that veterans face when they come back to civilian life.
Facing Unemployment
Most people prefer to join the military right after high school, which is why they don’t work enough on their skills or pursue the relevant degree required for many jobs. That is why they are unemployed and stay jobless for a long time.
Struggle with themselves
It’s noble that veterans serve their country and are proud of their nation. However, the time spent in the military is no less than a trauma that left veterans with many bad memories that are hard to overcome. As many soldiers are just kids when they first join the military, they don’t have enough time to work on themselves, polish their true identity, and fine-tune their spirit t themselves. They may face self-esteem issues that make them struggle with themselves.
Homelessness
According to surveys, over 30 percent of veterans are homeless because they are unemployed and jobless; to overcome their mental trauma, they turned to drugs and other substance abuse.
Physical Handicaps
Many veterans have injuries that leave them handicapped for the rest of their life. From seeing their body parts get amputated and having scars to the damages that leave them disfigured, there are many other injuries they have to sustain while in combat. These physical handicap issues go them more self-esteem issues and are the reason behind their unemployment.
Poor Mental Health
Mental Health is an essential aspect of a human being; it shouldn’t be ignored whether you are a veteran or civilian. It doesn’t matter if you are a teen or an adult. You can have mental health issues. But veterans have a different story when it comes to mental health.
They have been through a lot, from seeing blood, tolerating strict behavior, losing their friends, and sometimes part of their bodies. It is hard to deal with the trauma after it, which is why veterans find life hopeless after their time in the military, leading them to have depression, anxiety, and other mental issues, as well as committing suicide.
Though these are a few obstacles you may face once you become a veteran, those obstacles are impossible to overcome if you have n additional support. The government has started many services that veterans may avail, and not only that, many other organizations are here to help veterans. The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Society is one such organization that assists veterans.
Introducing Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Society, Inc.
The society was formed in 2019 as a non-profit organization that provides financial and administrative support to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and the Florida Veterans Foundation. It is based in Tallahassee, Florida, and only operates in the said state.
Their tagline, “Still Serving,” shows us thatin a world where veterans are forgotten soon after they serve and are not honored for their contributions, that is why they are founded.
If you are a veteran from Florida, you should contact them and let them facilitate your life after the military. You must be nominated by someone to become a member. The catch is that the nominee doesn’t need to be a group member or a veteran; the candidate can be anyone and only has to nominate you. Nominations are whittled down depending on their work once they are received. The veterans must have served only in Florida, which is the most crucial criterion; without it, you are ineligible. Another important measure is that the individual is honorably discharged from the service and has a good character. After the nominees are chosen, they are presented to the Florida Cabinet and the Governor for final approval and signatures. However, to become eligible for the nomination, you should have post-military volunteering experience.
Only 121 veterans are members of the Veterans’ Hall of Fame Society in Florida. As a result, you should make your application stand out with a stunning bio and the things you have done in the service.
The Presidential Service Awards
They also grant rewards to veterans based on the number of hours served in the service. It starts with the Bronze Award, which is presented to veterans who have served for at least 100 hours and up to 249 hours. Those who have served between 250 and 499 hours are eligible for the Silver Award. Veterans who have done 500 hours aresuitable for the Golden Award. There is also a Lifetime Award that the Presidential Service does not currently present. Still, The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Society offers it to veterans who have served in the state of Florida their entire life.
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