A Soldier’s View

During the war in Iraq, Minnesota has had the largest redeployment since WWII. The Challenge of Coming Home was an event sponsored by MGLC and the City of Maple Grove, held July 15. This education event helped us prepare to welcome home our military personnel and offer support to their families. Personal insights were shared from an excellent panel of speakers: A first lieutenant, a captain, a retired chaplain, and a WWII soldier and American Legion chaplain.

Here’s some of what we learned:
Many returning soldiers expect to get back to civilian life quickly but find that re-entry is more difficult than they thought.  Soldiers are normally given 30-days paid leave to decompress before returning to a 10-hour work day, a wife and family.

While soldiers are away for long periods of time, everyone changes - the soldiers and the people at home. Soldiers who have been in a war zone have lost multiple soldiers and are hardened from doing the job they are called to do. One soldier from Dessert Storm said, “Your psyche changes.” Soldiers feel emotional separation and disconnection. Re-entry means getting to know friends and loved ones all over again.

When soldiers return home from a tour of duty, it’s natural for loved ones to think a welcome home celebration is what a soldier wants, but what most really want is peace and quiet. While on duty, soldiers experience noise everywhere and most work 10-12 hours a day and seven days per week at times. The panel urged us to let soldiers ease back into the culture. Among the suggestions include: Encouraging soldiers coming home that you’re glad to see them; thanking them for their service; not asking too many questions; being a listening ear when a returning soldier talks about their experience; and helping soldiers and their families by asking for specific ways to help, such as paying bills or mowing the lawn.

The panel indicated that spouses and parents were the greatest resources to soldiers during their transition. While on duty, many wait 4-5 months before seeing their loved ones. Soldiers are eager to get home to good food, family and people they love. The transition home is more difficult for those who do not have a family to welcome them back.

Greatest challenges while on duty
Among the greatest challenge many soldiers face is feeling like they are in a “zip-lock bag”. They feel a lack of control managing their household while away on duty. One soldier said, “If you had a small problem when you left, it will be bigger when you return.”  There are fights about unpaid bills, repossessed cars, homes that foreclose, and ex-spouses demanding child support. One soldier checked his bank account online and discovered that his spouse had spent all their money.

Another soldier shared, “The military is easy in the respect that you are given a job and are told what to do.” When he returned home, he went to lunch with his son. There were so many choices, he didn’t know what to order. “In the military they just put things on your plate. Everything is pre-determined for you.”

Visiting the wounded
There are 150,000-200,000 troops deployed. We have the largest number of returning wounded soldiers: brain injuries, multiple limb injuries, and psychological issues that a homecoming party won’t get rid of it. We have a responsibility to make a connection with returning soldiers. The Co-Chaplin of the American Legion urged us to visit veterans in hospitals.

The good stories we often do not hear
In the last 3-5 years, since the post 911 war on terror, the news media has been a detriment to soldiers. News is often convoluted and destroys the good will that is sought after. For every negative report we hear in the news, there are positive ones that are not reported. A military chaplain shared the example of Iman, who came to the military base in Afghanistan at personal risk to his life just to say goodbye to his friend.
Many soldiers shared that the best part of the deployment was interacting with Kuwaiti people. Soldiers were encouraged to attend MWR (Moral, Welfare, and Recreation) sponsored events. On their time off, soldiers visited safe sites in downtown Kuwait, a progressive city with coffee shops and restaurants. Soldiers interacted with the friendly Kosovo people who love Americans and are grateful for their service there. The residents have little, but were generous with what they had. They invited soldiers in for tea and coffee.  In addition, US involvement has improved medical facilities. The chaplain added that we are making a difference in a part of the world that needs our compassion.

In conclusion
The Minnesota National Guard has pioneered a program called Beyond the Yellow Ribbon in hopes of changing how soldiers and airmen are reintegrated to their communities. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is named as a reminder that the yellow ribbon is untied. Supporting soldiers must continue beyond the transition of re-entering civilian life.

A short poignant video concluded the evening. Soldiers are saying: “I need you to support me. You are what I’m fighting for. I do my job. Some people hate me. I don’t complain. I just want you to say, ‘I’m proud of you.’ Remember me.”

Each and every soldier needs our help - let’s do them proud!

For more information, visit Military Support Ministry