I'm retired Army. My best friend, best man at my wedding 21 years ago, walked off a bridge about 10 months ago because his wife kicked him out of their home because his PTSD was getting too scarry. I don't hold it against her, she has to protect her children. But It's still hard. I now work with Wounded Warrior Project. I would highly recommend them to any vets that need help.
Wow. I’m. Really really sorry. I’m glad you are helping the veterans that need it. There are too many who don’t get the help they need. Keep being amazing. Just wow. You have to be so strong. And I’m proud there are people out there like you.
@@VetteFreakC5Z51 Rgr that. I'll do more research adjust and drive on. Thank you for your input sir. Edit: Do you have any recommendations of orgs that my time would be better spent at?
Thank you for this reaction, this message needs to be heard. As a Marine vet I lost 2 brothers while I was in and 3 more to their own hands after we got out. 22 a day haunts me. I don't know what the statistics are on divorce, but my first one was when I got back from my first time to Iraq and she had moved a man in with her when I got home. The next divorce was because of my PTSD. I come from a Marine family, I was taught a code. If you stand behind me I will protect you, stand beside me and I will respect you, if you stand against the people behind me I will show no mercy. The thing I learned in the Marines was no one wants peace more than the person on the front line. Semper Fi to all my warriors out there until we drink a horn in Valhalla. NEVER FORGOTTEN
Sadly a lot of western governments fail their military personnel after they return from conflicts, not making it easy for them to get the help they need. Not making it easy access benefits they so desperately need, sadly just seem to be cannon fodder for whatever conflict their politicians want to send them to.
I salute you for your service and I share the same code. Never served myself because the wars being fought seemed unjust at the time, but I’ve known many Marines and every one of them a good man. I’ve known veterans from other branches of our military as well and again, every one of them good, both male and female. When I fell off a cliff rock climbing in a remote wilderness at the age of 22 and broke my left femur I was airlifted out by a Navy helicopter and those soldiers on board saved my life and were super nice in the process. Years later I had the privilege of cooking and serving food for West Point cadets and they were the most civilized, intelligent, respectful, and decent guests we ever had at the retreat center where I was employed. It breaks my heart that veterans aren’t treated better when they come home and I hope it gets better. Peace!
Being a retired sergeant, and the father of a young man who will be amongst the first to be sent if NATO goes to war, I wish nothing more than peace in this world. I know that my son wishes this too, and he is willing to fight for that peace, just like I was when I served. Of course this video hits me hard, right in the guts, but the way this world is, I am convinced that we need someone to take that responsibility. The very least we can do, is to protect and help those who went in, and came out changed for life. I am happy that you picked this video to react on, and like others I highly recommend that you do Sabaton's live version of "En Livstid i Krig". Greetings from Denmark ❤
As of 14 months ago I have been living the nomadic lifestyle. I've met two homeless veterans doing the same thing. My dad was a veteran of the Korean War, and belonged to the VFW. So I support them, but I have donated to others as well.
My grandfather was in the Army Reserves, and volunteered for Korea, but was kept in the US to train new recruits for artillery. Before he died, he had stories of someone in his platoon (a pvt Pile equivalent) that fell into a latrine pit they were cleaning and had to be driven down to the barracks showers by the Lt. that didn't want his new seats to get dirty, so he had to stand in the back and hold onto the bar the canvas top attached to.
My grandfather also served in Korea. His jeep he was driving got blown up over there and he lost part of one of his lungs and had to be on oxygen most of his later life. He was also a part of the VFW who helped him get the oxygen he needed most of the time because the VA did very little for him other than paying for his hospice care at the end of his life. It breaks my heart that to this very day the Korean War vets remain the most forgotten of all our veterans, just like the war they fought in. We have a lot of awareness now around Vietnam and that those men went through, but nobody ever talks about Korea even now.
I recently read The Body Keeps the Score. It really changed my life and I can only imagine that it's changed the lives of a whole lot of people who suffer from trauma like PTSD.
I’m from Europe and grew up with my grandparents. My grandfather was a veteran from 2 ww.. he gave 5 years as a marine for the British ( he was Danish ) .. got sunk 3 times in the Atlantic.. saw his comrades go under waiting for rescue.. he never recovered completely.. I remember his nightmares .. when I was little I was scared but he told me about it .. I can never understand the horrors .. he died of a to damaged liver because of to much alcohol consumption after and during the war. Although the gov. gave him pension they tried the whole time to keep it to a Minimum.. he was not physically hit… they said. The fund closed with a lot of left over money ( in the billions enough for every veteran left to get full pension the rest of their life ) because now they were so few .. a lot of them died early.. I do not tolerate mistreatment of any veteran .. there is no price to high to get them back into society… NO PRICE.
He lives in a bubble of his own making. I'm not sure if he can speak to any everyday human experience. Nor, as we now understand his psychology, does he care.
Someone once told me we should all be considered to have PTSD. Personally I never felt it right away, it built up over the years as suppressed memories came to the surface.
As a veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom I know all too well what it’s like living with PTSD. And one major reason for a high divorce rate for military couples is the long tours overseas and them cheating on one another. Don’t know the stats but seen it first hand. I myself am divorced but that but happened after I got out and me and my ex-wife get along pretty alright. We had 2 children together and we stay in good graces for their sake. And I do love her for putting up with my PTSD. The spouses deal with a lot. Anyways liked the reaction and just wanted to say thank you for bringing this to your audience.
My interaction with a PTSD vet many years ago was one of those moments you can never prepare for. I was an ex-military brat at that time; my Dad a former USAF Vietnam officer who thankfully was dealing with his trauma well enough to play at living a managed civilian life. But this isn't about that. It's about a journey on a gypsy bus going to San Francisco Ca which turned into a very scary trip indeed. I was sitting next to this big burly dude who turned out to be a former Marine; so we seemed to hit it off alright at the start. He very politely offered sips from a bottle which we shared; in hindsight a big warning sign, and we BSed about family, his pickup truck driving jack daniel's drinking big brother, and our travels. That was until things went dark. He started talking about the VA and how they don't treat ex-military with the respect they deserve, other things like that, all the while everyone scared near to death while all I could do was try to sound as agreeably calm as I could. And that's when he decided I still wasn't giving him what he needed. He decided we were gonna fight. My dude was very reasonable about it. We would have the driver stop the bus; we would get off and start beating the hell out of each other. My only response for a long while was that I really didn't want to fight him. Until I had no option but to snap on him. "Okay, we'll fight. and you'll grind me into the ground, but damn it you're gonna know I was there!" Just like that we were buds again, I had recognized him and validated his existence. So we went on almost like nothing had happened until we reached his stop. The driver and I got him off the bus where his brother(clean cut SUV driving kinda guy) was waiting, clearly realizing something was going on. He very cautiously asked if everything was OK. We told him our dude got a little depressed but he's fine now. And that ended our part in his story. And we were hailed as heroes by the passengers, to which I silently thought every single profanity I could at them; knowing that if things had gone south, only the bus driver would of had my back. Still we got him back to family, so that's a good. Right?
I'm a veteran. I never heard of this song. Thank you for introducing me to it. 1. Many military folks come from marginalized and harsh backgrounds and trauma added to their past opens and adds a lot of scars. These are the most vulnerable. 2. But trauma can deeply scar anyone. 3. The military offers a life ridgely structured that when a soldier leaves can be significantly jarring. Sometimes destructively so. Veteran care. Since the military entered near continuous combat for so many years, that flooded the VA system and forced politicians to respond. So yes, it has improved. But many vets don't qualify for medical care (usually a retiree only benefit or for an in-service injury), but they DO qualify for counseling and things like that … Unfortunately, it's hard to get people to make that phone call. Also ... there is no care for "I make no money due to my trauma and no longer have a house." Family counseling for vets leaving the service is inadequate. I really wish we modeled ourselves off of some of the European countries who have essentially eliminated homelessness and everyone has access to care.
Infidelity is also a prominent factor in the high divorce rate. Long deployments are a strain on the relationship. While the number of military divorces sounds high, it's only somewhere between 10-13% higher than the civilian average. Commitment simply isn't as strong between couples as it once was.
Unfortunately some have been caught scamming vets. My VA hospital is wonderful though. The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars & DAV have also helped me out. Was hard to ask for help but it's there. I went with established organizations.
as a Vet who relies on the VA for my medical care....i can say it got better in 2018 i got more calls from them....then in 2021i was callled in for a reevaluation on my disability, and lost 10% which was right around 300 a month i was relying on to pay bills and rent. And im not blaming any person in office but you can see the road im headed and i wont bore you with it as im sure you dont want to hear it, even if its the truth.
Seems to be when governments want to make budget cuts they start with benefits for military veterans then education, healthcare you get the picture. They never start with financial cuts to the political class no matter what the colour.
There's a few vets I know well at my local Men's Shed who I chat with a lot. I wasn't in the military, but we connect over PTSD. Veteran services here in Australia has improved a lot, but it's still not brilliant. The guys who did Bosnia and Timor have had a bad time since, and the Vietnam vets have been through a waking nightmare.
I am a combat vet . I was lost when I came home and became a violent man and lived a black life . I have since changed . Thank you for this and God bless you
As an old divorced fourth generation vet, with TBI and PTSD, existing under a VA program for homeless vets, yeah you can say it hits home for me. More than any words I have. It is what it is.
Most of the actors in this video are combat veterans themselves. One statistic used to be 22 veterans a day who committed suicide. Today the number is more like 55 a day. Veterans care has not vastly improved in the last 10 years. I volunteered, in fact I joined in peace time. When I separated 10 years later, we were at war. I have severe-chronic PTSD, TBI, nerve damage, and various other malaise. I'm 100% disabled. The plus side is I get to stay home all the time. When I had a Service Dog I was able to work. But now it's just too much. Manys a time I nearly become one of the 55. I feel more alone than ever, and I have a family. But I still don't regret serving. I fought for my country, and if I had a chance to do it again, I would.
I'm very sorry to hear you feel like that. As someone growing up in peace time in a country not at war I can't truly relate to that. But I CAN tell you, delay it a day, and do that every day. I kept saying 'I can push through today, I can always get off the ride tomorrow if I so desire!'. I did that for a few months until I no longer wanted it at all. Especially if you have family, you shouldn't live for them, but I think you should enjoy your life more because they're there. We can't control what we feel but we can control how we then act. And you've been through enough hardship that you can push through. Keep pushing my guy, the world is not complete if you're not in it.
@@bararobberbaron859 if I didn't push through, I wouldn't be here now. My last serious episode was July 2015. That night God and my Service Dog saved me. I'm used to the treatment I've received pretty much my entire life. Most people undervalue me and assume I'm going to do specific things. Yet when I do the complete opposite, they weren't surprised, they were confused and angry. Heck, the command I was in when I deployed to Baghdad told a person, who became my battle buddy, that I was going to do a whole list of nonsensical things. He was sent out to "watch" me and report back. He was confused by their accusations but wisely chose to not argue, then they told him something that angered him. So he came out, and after a week he pulled me aside and repeated to me what they said. He did watch me that first week, but mainly because he couldn't believe their accusations. He told me I basically did the complete opposite of what they claimed, and it pissed him off to no end. We are still brothers to this day. Baghdad was 20 years 2 months and two weeks ago. But then he dropped a bomb on me that was worse than the VBIED that blew me up. They told him they expected me to NOT return. Yes, they sent me to Baghdad to die, even refused to send me to the initial training required prior to entering the CENTCOM AOR. Training that could've been the difference between life and death. Still, I had, and still have, an incredibly high survival instinct. And I had some LEO training that worked in my favor. Imagine their surprise, frustration, and anger when I not only returned, but received one of the military's highest medals for that war deployment. Obviously, I survived that command, mainly because most of the highest ranking officers liked ne a lot, and knew that "good ol' boys club" was full of... stuff... So yeah, I won't be going home on my turns, primarily because I don't want to stand before God and have to explain myself. The sadness in His eyes would destroy me.
@HailHeidi it's the only downside of reaction videos. You have to either pause it any time you want to do commentary, which can break the flow of the video, or just accept that you're going to miss some things. It's well worth watching again, with no need to look away from the screen and find what you missed.
Aussie combat vet l served in a rapid reaction regiment 24/7 standby 4hrs to be wheels up gone to places we never went,do things that were never done & when I got hurt was cut loose with no support,l’m broken mentally/physically & can’t be fixed,l’m not worth anyone’s time or effort anymore🇦🇺🇺🇸
American that can relate. Even when you don't get called to do your job, that mindset of always ready at any moment is so taxing and never seems to go away. 15 years and I'm still just trying to find any measure of calm.
@@mattwilkes2321 Aussie combat vet It never goes away brother a helo flyover still puts me on the ground my war will never be over. But l signed that contract so l don’t expect any tears or sympathy 🇦🇺🇺🇸
Thoughts on divorce. I'm a 10 year Veteran.....which has no bearing on my reason for divorce. I'm a rare case (statistically) in which I am filing for divorce. Why? I've taken advantage of my VA benefits. GI Bill and disabled Veteran. The woman I thought was an Angel turned out to be a gold digging .... individual. I have earned every penny I make. I refuse to pay for someone's else's kids or her life, to sit around and do nothing. Sorry, but this appears to be the most common woman in 2024.
Veterans are treated by the VA the way the American people want them to be treated. Cast aside and forgotten when we are no longer needed. We are the dirty reminder of what the American people are not willing to do themselves.
Danish veteran here. This song gets me every time. And I love to watch others react to it, and share their opinion on this matter (not exclusive to the US). Thank you, Heidi. Keep going.
You asked about the list as the end of the video... I have gotten some help from Disabled American Veterans (after becoming 100% disabled). I am a 100% disabled veteran and served during desert shield/desert storm. I was honorable discharged at 30% in 1994 and it took a long 26 years to fight to get the100% disability due. I was not made aware of any mental/physical help or transition help available when I got out of the military, that I should have gotten early on. My family helped the most when I got out to help me make the choice of life due to PTSD and the military not able to replace my back... instead of the end result of taking my life like many of my brothers and sisters. The military breaks us down and builds us up as their soldiers when we join.... but when we get out... there is no adjusting from military to civilian life. You asked about marriage/divorce.... yes ptsd has alot to do with it.. or maybe the spouse got lonely and cheated or many other reasons. But mostly because of PTSD... when a soldier sees and feels war.... it changes us. We are never going to be the same person with the horrific things seen and felt then scarred us for life. It could be a sound, a movement, a phrase... a trigger that can make us see things like they are happening all over again when we were in the military. I still hard to even hear Independence Day fireworks. Sleep can be messed with.. on guard all the time. When we come home, our families and friends see we are different... we are broken until we can get the help we need. I joined for college fund... I didn't expect war to happen when I joined... but since I signed the contract when I only meant to better myself with knowledge... I was caught in Desert Shield/Storm. Some spouses can NOT handle the changes we had to endure while serving in the military. So when asking about the statistics, I don't have a number but can say... not all soldiers coming home may look damaged on the outside, but on the inside...broken. Not being offered the help needed can tear a family apart because the one at home feels the person that came home from the military is not the same person they married. What sucks is being a soldier we don't get to question orders or where we go or whom we have to fight. We have a contract to the government and have to obey. Our consequences are not the same as a civilian that has freedom to say NO or WHY or I QUIT..... We signed a contract to protect our country and follow orders even if we disagree with them. We may not always see eye to eye with our superiors/chain of command or agree with the president.. but our opinion is not allowed.. we are trained to do what we are told until we have completed our contract and sent home... broken, changed, damaged, PTSD... what ever you want to call it. What sickens me more... after this video.. is knowing the government would put up immigrants in a hotel but continue to allow the soldiers that served to protect their country to be homeless.
Yes, these are frightening images. They have done their duty for their country and have now been put aside or thrown away like garbage. Do these people deserve that? Heidi, greetings from Germany
I go through shit everyday. What makes me sad is some people need to see you in a wheelchair before they think you have a disability and will judge me when I "stumble and fall" due to my PTSD. I've tried to let people know, but when I bring it up to my boss, he just changes the subject and now avoids me. I don't want to sue anyone; I just want people to have a deeper understand of me so I can be allowed to be the best version of myself - nobody else... Just me.
And then keep in mind that the statistics were for when the vid was made in 2014, and most likely hasn't gotten any better. I try to help where I can, but it's heart breaking.
Just like out in the public, every individual that has or is serving in the military are as diverse and individual as the rest of the world. I met some truly dirt bag asshats before I retired, but I've also met some truly dirt bag asshats out here in the general public. Homelessness sucks all around, but I do feel that the VA needs a LOT more support and incentive to bring in more talented services (I am seen exclusively by the VA for both physical and mental health, and they are booked out for MONTHS - I've developed a bad muscle spasm in my inner ear and my appt to be seen is over a month out). My divorce was actually because I retired and got to see what my wife was "really" like (after 14+ hour days you really just want a shower and sleep). My ex was a picture of lds woman on the outside, but at home she was a disaster, manipulative, financially horrific, and I have never lived in such a smelly filthy house (I was raised in Utah but never was mormon - she came out of Vancouver Washington).
Veteran care in the United States is sorry. These men and women shouldn't have to ask for a thing when they come home. But they come home to not getting any help, and end up homeless drug addicts because they just give up. This country should do so much better for these vets. It's really a shame.
Having ptsd and now DID sad fact in the US is that mental health care in the US is a joke I have fmla for my ptsd but my job is actively tryin to find ways around it to fire me cause im using it.
FFDP got so many songs with a message. You should watch Coming down, this is about bullying and suicide or a other army song: Gone Away- this one is a cover of a The Offspring song. As a Norwegian i cant understand how the vets fall outside of the system like they do in the US, its so tragic. Best regards from Norway
I love that song and video, even though I cry every single time I hear it. And I have heard it alot. Sadle it is an issue, all over the world. Also here in Denmark, where I am located. There is not enough help for the veterans, and the help is not good enough, even with our system. It has been neglegted for way to many years. They have realized that more help is needed, but the funding and just getting it up and running is slow. The problem is the same as everywhere. It is hard to fit in to a society, once you have experienced war as a soldier. The scars, don't just go away, because you come home. Thats that used to have meaning, might seems trivial, compared to what they have been through. I have not been in the military, but I know people who have been stationed in war zones, and seen them change. It is not their fault, it is just how it is. We all change when we experience life on the edge. I think a translator is needed for many. Not for the language, but for life it self.
When I came out in ‘91 after Desert Storm, someone did a study that said the submarine community (which I served 13 years in) had the highest suicide and divorce of all the branches combined. I was a fast attack sailor, we were away from home port 300+ days out of the year, and when we were in home port we could not talk about what we done, and our wives, girlfriends, family etc never knew when we would be home until we were coming into port. We lived 18 to 20 hour days, 7 days a week. You want to know more watch Steel boats, iron men and sharks of steel on RU-vid.
You asked for numbers, so: I have very complex PTSD and brain damage. My marriage ended probably because of that, and I have been homeless for 6 years. So there is truth in these numbers. Fortunately, because I don't live in Amerika, I am doing better now, but will never be healed. But love to you Heidi, the world needs to be told.....
moving into civilian life after being in the army isnt something you can prepare for no matter how much the VA "tries" to help you. i know too many brothers that are just depressed and dealing with problems after our time in service, its just fucking awful.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ee3i72-HN6o.html Floor Jansen has wrote: ""I am thrilled to share my new single, "Invincible," with all of you. Originally written specifically for the Invictus Games, this song holds a very special place in my heart. As someone who has witnessed the effects of PTSD in my close circle, I wanted to create a powerful anthem that brings hope and strength to those who are struggling with this condition. Invincible' is a song about resilience, about pushing through difficult times, and about finding the strength to start again. I believe that this message is one that will resonate with many, as PTSD affects 1 in 13 people in their lifetime, and women are twice as likely to develop it as men. I hope that 'Invincible' will remind you that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of coming out stronger. You are not alone, and no matter how difficult the journey may be, there is always hope for healing and self-discovery."""
About war and depressing go watch Sabaton - En Livstid i Krig live in Gothenburg, put subs on or No Bullet Fly animated video or 1916 swedish metal band singing about historical war happening from way back to more recent wars
I absolutely HATE the military worship in the States. Our military does NOT "fight for freedom", that is absolutely one of those phrases that sound nice but have no real meaning. Our freedoms in the States are NOT threatened by dirt poor goat herders half an Earth away. Our actual liberty is threatened from D.C. All soldiers take an oath to defend from internal threats, but obviously this isn't going to happen. Our soldiers, in real life actual reality, fight to make rich men richer. It's about empire and power and control, NOT freedom. And, go check out videos about military recruiters, and how much they lie to anyone to get you to sign, after which you are nothing but fodder for endless, pointless wars. It's disgusting. Our military has become a disgusting, corrupt monstrosity. And we WILL have to deal with it eventually, one way or another. If you've never heard of a man named Smedley Butler (USMC) you should familiarize yourself with his writings. When he retired, he was a two time MoH recipient, THE highest decorated soldier in United States history. He wrote a book about his time in the USMC, it is title "War is a Racket". He describes a Racket as being for the benefit of the few at the cost of the many, whereas only the few really know that the objectives are empire and control, NOT fighting for freedom. The vast majority of Americans have such an ignorant, juvenile understanding of our nations policies, and their practical effects around the world.
What an incredibly useless comment. No one made me enlist in the Marines, I did it of my own free well and don't regret it. Even if I'm paying for it now, no regrets. Someone had to do it, might as well be someone like me, rather than those that I hope never experience it.
As i agree to your first post, please keep in mind that there are people out there who did what you would call a wrong decission. There's no way to leave these guys behind. We have to support these people, too.
@@peter_meyer I have not said that veterans should be abandoned (as they are already now often times, especially in the USA) because they had poor judgement when they signed on. They are young and dont understand how things work, and they get lured with promises of education, citizenship, money or what ever else.Look at the names on casualty lists of US soldiers in Afghanistan - you could think its the Mexican army who was fighting there. Coincidence? The more I get upset if someone who should know better still says its ok to become a soldier. And the more it is important to warn people about joining. That is the best way to prevent PTSD, losing limbs or sitting in a wheel chair for 50 years. I know many people hate me for this opinion, but after 34 years of army life, I dont really care.
