Get Involved (By Walter Sweeney)

It would seem that in the modern generation of US Military Veterans, it is normal or even understandable for said prior members to go through their post-military lives without acknowledging their service to their country to those whom they meet after having served. That is their prerogative just as it was mine.  Without meaning any direct disrespect to the Veterans who do not identify themselves, I must say that it is (generally speaking) kind of a dumb move.

In early May of 2011, I ended what had been four very active and formative years serving in the United States Marine Corps Infantry. I had deployed twice during my active service and formed many of my best friendships as well.  When I got out, I was alone and lonely. The summer months dragged on and I desperately tried to make meaningful connections with civilians and people on the "outside." Sure, I referenced that I had been in the Military when appropriate, but I did not accept that it was actually a part of who I am as a person.

When school started in August, I decided that it was time for a change. I got myself highly active with the Student Veterans Organizations on campus (I am a student at George Mason University where I am working to acquire my BA in Economics) and made a significant effort to meet as many other Veterans as I could find on campus.  I figured that, even if these people didn't end up being lasting friends, at least I would know some people. In my mind, there were certain character qualities (which I will discuss in detail in later posts) possessed by the guys I had served in Afghanistan and on the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit with and that causes us to form the connections that we had with each other. I was wrong when I assumed that I wouldn't ever find those character qualities in people other than the guys I served with.

Once accepted that my status as a Military, Combat Veteran was a defining part of my life and I began to identify myself as such, I began to meet others who were also proud to be Veterans. Sure enough, those qualities that I did not expect to find in people other than my "buddies" were things that I found in all of the other Veterans that I met and became friends with and I stopped feeling like I was alone.

By keeping to yourself and not becoming active with other Veterans on your campus or in your community (I am a VFW member in addition to being active on GMU’s campus) you are depriving yourself of a network of people who understand you and will be there for you when the civilians around you fade away.

-w