Troops Supported?
Veterans in America: Honoring Service or Falling Short?
When it comes to veterans, America’s relationship with its military service members is one filled with both pride and controversy. We thank our veterans for their service and celebrate their bravery, but beyond the parades and the applause, there’s a deeper, more complex story about how the U.S. supports (or fails to support) those who have served. Are we truly giving veterans what they deserve, or are we falling short in providing the benefits and care they need?
In this post, we’ll dive into the benefits veterans receive, or lack thereof, and compare how the U.S. treats its veterans to other countries around the world. We’ll explore PTSD statistics, military spending, life expectancy for veterans, and the controversial recruitment tactics used to bring new citizens into the military. Prepare to question what you think you know.
Benefits for Veterans: Are They Enough?
The U.S. offers a range of benefits for veterans, including healthcare through the VA (Veterans Affairs), education funding through the G.I. Bill, and disability compensation for those injured in service. On paper, these benefits seem comprehensive, but the reality often paints a different picture.
1. Healthcare: Veterans receive healthcare through the VA system, which includes hospitals and clinics specifically for their care. But the quality of care and wait times at VA facilities have been widely criticized. Many veterans report waiting months for appointments, and some facilities are underfunded and understaffed. According to a 2020 RAND Corporation study, 60% of veterans using VA services rated their healthcare as satisfactory, but the remaining 40% expressed frustration over delayed care.
2. Mental Health Support: The VA does offer mental health services, but they’re often stretched thin. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) affects a staggering 11-20% of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and yet many struggle to get timely, effective treatment. While there’s increased awareness of mental health, the resources don’t always match the demand.
3. G.I. Bill: The G.I. Bill has helped millions of veterans afford higher education, covering tuition and providing stipends for books and housing. However, for many, it’s not enough to fully cover the cost of education, particularly in today’s expensive higher education landscape. Additionally, veterans who have served fewer than three years may receive reduced benefits.
4. Disability and Compensation: Veterans who are injured during service are eligible for disability compensation, but the process to get approved can be lengthy and frustrating. Many veterans face years of bureaucratic delays, with some left in limbo while their claims are reviewed.
How the U.S. Compares to Other Countries
The U.S. is known for having one of the strongest and most well-funded militaries in the world, but how does it compare to other nations when it comes to taking care of its veterans?
• United Kingdom: Veterans in the U.K. receive benefits through the Armed Forces Covenant, which includes free healthcare, education support, and housing assistance. Their National Health Service (NHS) provides mental health services specifically for veterans, and veterans have priority in government housing programs. However, like in the U.S., there have been criticisms of long wait times and underfunded services.
• Germany: Veterans in Germany receive comprehensive healthcare, a generous pension, and extensive support for mental health and job placement after service. The German government also offers retraining programs for veterans looking to transition into civilian jobs. Germany’s smaller military means fewer veterans, but their care is often seen as more personalized and thorough.
• Israel: In Israel, all citizens are required to serve in the military, and veterans receive lifetime healthcare benefits, priority in government services, and significant mental health support. Israeli veterans also receive generous pensions, and the culture in Israel emphasizes lifelong respect and care for those who have served.
PTSD and Mental Health: A National Crisis
One of the most pressing issues facing U.S. veterans today is the mental health crisis, particularly when it comes to PTSD. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 11-20% of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experience PTSD in any given year. For veterans of the Vietnam War, the number is even higher—around 30%.
PTSD can lead to serious consequences, including depression, substance abuse, and even suicide. Veterans are at a much higher risk of suicide than the general population, with an estimated 17 veterans dying by suicide every day. These statistics point to a system that is struggling to meet the mental health needs of those who have served.
Despite increased awareness, funding for mental health programs often falls short, and many veterans feel stigmatized for seeking help. Mental health services are available through the VA, but as mentioned earlier, wait times can be long, and access to specialized care is limited in some areas.
Military Spending vs. Veteran Support
The U.S. spends more on its military than any other country in the world—$877 billion in 2022 alone, which accounted for 39% of the global total military expenditure. Despite this massive budget, only a small fraction of that goes toward veteran care and benefits.
Historically, the U.S. has focused heavily on defense spending, funneling billions into new weapons, technology, and military bases around the world. But when it comes to caring for the people who serve, critics argue that the U.S. falls short. The VA’s budget for veteran healthcare and benefits was $243 billion in 2022—less than 28% of what the military received overall.
Many argue that if even a small percentage of military spending were redirected toward improving veteran services, issues like long wait times for healthcare, underfunded mental health programs, and inadequate housing support could be addressed.
Life Expectancy and Military Recruitment
The average life expectancy for a veteran is around 65-67 years, compared to 78.8 years for the general U.S. population. This shortened lifespan can be attributed to the physical and psychological stress veterans endure during service, as well as issues like substance abuse, PTSD, and a lack of adequate healthcare post-service.
Most recruits enter the military between the ages of 17 and 24, when they are young, impressionable, and eager for the opportunities the military seems to offer—education, travel, discipline, and a sense of purpose. But there’s a darker side to recruitment: propaganda and marketing tactics that glamorize military service while downplaying the very real risks of trauma, injury, and mental health struggles.
Military recruitment often targets low-income communities and areas with limited job opportunities, offering service as a way out of poverty and into stability. Critics argue that this takes advantage of vulnerable young people, promising them a future that doesn’t always deliver.
The Controversy: Do We Really Support Our Troops?
On one hand, Americans celebrate their veterans with parades, discounts at restaurants, and “Support Our Troops” bumper stickers. But is this surface-level support enough?
• Proponents of the current system argue that the U.S. provides significant benefits to veterans—free healthcare, education assistance, and pensions. They believe that the VA does the best it can with the resources it has and that veterans receive more benefits than many civilian workers.
• Critics, however, point to the long wait times for care, the underfunding of veteran services, and the high rates of homelessness, mental health issues, and suicide among veterans. They argue that the U.S. spends billions on defense but fails to prioritize the care of those who’ve already served.
Conclusion: Time to Rethink How We Treat Veterans?
The United States has one of the most powerful and well-funded militaries in the world, but when it comes to caring for those who’ve worn the uniform, are we doing enough? While there are benefits in place for veterans, the reality is that many struggle to get the care and support they need. Compared to other countries, the U.S. seems to prioritize defense spending over the long-term care of its service members.
As a society, it’s time to ask hard questions about our relationship with the military and veterans. Should we spend more on healthcare and mental health services for veterans? Should we reexamine how we recruit young people into the military? And perhaps most importantly, what can we do to ensure that veterans aren’t just honored in words but supported in action?
The conversation about veterans in America is long overdue. It’s time to do more than just say “thank you for your service”—it’s time to make real changes.
