During his time in the Army, Eric enjoyed the camaraderie and felt his work contributed to the greater mission. Transitioning to the civilian world was challenging, and it took a toll on his self-esteem. He went to VA and found employment and counseling resources. With support, Eric became more confident and turned his life around.
View Video TranscriptEric:
My name's Eric, and I served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1993 in the active and reserve components. I had graduated from college. Met with a recruiter, and in less than a year, I was at the Defense Language Institute studying the Russian language after Basic Training.
I scored very high on my ASVAB aptitude test. And they said, “These career fields are open to you.” And I have an affinity for language and an affinity for communication. And I was very, very lucky. I volunteered for different types of psychological operations to do human intelligence analysis, and it was very, very worthwhile. I thought we were contributing to the greater mission.
I enjoyed the camaraderie. I enjoyed the experience. One of the advantages of the Army, for me, is folks had a common language, a common mission, a common set of experiences.
When I got into civilian world, what I did in Honduras, Nicaragua, Korea, that held no currency in the job market. Very limited. First couple of weeks, I slept in till noon. And I realized, “That lifestyle’s not going to work for me.”
So, I was on unemployment. I went to the VA. This one fellow who worked for employment security—the Department of Veterans Affairs funds employment security workers in job centers—and he had me on a very structured, weekly check-in process. And that worked for me.
And I was always early for my appointments, would show him my resume, but that transition, if I didn’t have him as well as a counselor at the VA, if I didn’t make the connection with those two guys, I would have been unemployed a lot longer. But the hospital counsellor and the employment security gave me confidence. And that, when you’re looking for work, unemployed, with a struggling family, confidence and hope, I think, are the two often missing ingredients in your life.
I had a baby on the way, a new relationship, and I was pretty much grasping at every resource possible. I would call up the VA, “What do you have for this? What do you have for that?” I’ve used the housing benefit. I think the housing guarantee benefit is one of the most unsung benefits that soldiers may be unaware of.
There’s a transition program for servicemen as well as civilians. Whether that’s confidential counselling, dental care, emergency help. There are many services and benefits, whether you’re in the service or out of it.
No matter what you may be experiencing, there is support for getting your life on a better track. Many, many Veterans have found the strength to reach out and make the connection.
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The first step in addressing your challenges is to acknowledge that gambling has become a problem in your life and recognize that it is possible to make a change. Practice relaxation exercises such as deep breathing to manage stress and urges to gamble. Spend time with supportive people who do not gamble, and talk with your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions that are right for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Gambling page.
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There are ways to prevent yourself from engaging in risky behavior. Plan to avoid situations that might lead to recklessness. For example, leave early or late to avoid rush-hour traffic, or arrange a ride home if you'll be drinking. Talking with your family members, close friends, or a health care provider may help you find support and resources to address your challenges. Learn more steps you can take on our Reckless Behavior page.
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