Jon Stewart Uses Humor to Demonstrate Economic Gap for Returning Veterans

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Watch this 12-minute video to better understand the challenges facing returning veterans as they attempt to transition into the civilian job market.

I say “attempt” because Jon Stewart demonstrates how difficult this can be.

And perhaps what is most interesting (and can be fixed the quickest) is not the question of certification.

It is the time it takes to receive a form that you must request in writing that will then allow you to request form DD 214 that lists what you have done in the military (good for showing to prospective employers). When requesting the form to request the DD 214, returning veterans are told they must wait 10 to 90 days for a response.

Jon Stewart goes through the telephone transfer calls you would experience if you tried to call the VA to get the form to request the DD 214. While an hilarious sequence on the show, it is a very serious impediment to returning veterans.

Is there someone in the military who watches this video and can:

1. Have the first request form automatically given to military personnel as they exit the military.

2. Allow the completed request form to be emailed and then receive the completed DD214 within 10 working days.

Better yet, give veterans a completed DD 214 as part of the discharge process!

(Yes, this might eliminate some civilian jobs with the military. But those people might be better employed doing real work rather than “make work.”)

Simple, right? Then how come this isn't already being done?

I do hope someone watching this video here or elsewhere on the Internet can do something about this NOW!

© 2012 Miller Mosaic LLC

Phyllis Zimbler Miller is a former military spouse as well as the author of fiction and nonfiction books/ebooks, including the military fiction MRS. LIEUTENANT: A Sharon Gold Novel.

Click here to visit her Amazon author page at amazon.com/author/phylliszimblermiller

She also has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is the co-founder of the online marketing company www.MillerMosaicLLC.com

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Not Only From Combat

As many of you know, I work on getting out information about PTSD. Because the symptoms may go unrecognized, it is important that as many people as possible learn about the symptoms.

And although I spend a great deal of my time talking about PTSD due to combat, PTSD can result from any trauma. Further, what is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another.

On the October 12th episode of the CBS drama BLUE BLOODS, a young female rape victim tells two NYPD detectives:

“They tell me that I have some sort of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I thought only soldiers coming back from war got that.”

When the two detectives nod in empathy, she continues:

“Do you know why I’m here? All of the drugs that they prescribed didn’t make me function again. They just gave me this whole other set of nightmares.”

And when she is told that two of the four rapists have been shot, she says: “I honestly wish someone would kill me.”

Why am I going into such detail about a fictional TV show?

Because fiction can often get across information more readily than nonfiction can. And I believe we all have a responsibility to recognize the symptoms of PTSD.

Please take a few moments to check out this PTSD information now at www.insupportofourtroops.com/ptsd-info/

Someone you know or love may need help — and your knowledge can help them.

P.S. If you are watching the Showtime drama HOMELAND, consider whether the main character, Carrie Mathison, has PTSD, especially given her actions near the end of the October 14th episode.

And in this same episode, the wife of the former POW (the other main HOMELAND character) asks in a fundraising speech for wounded veterans for support for military spouses BEFORE the combat family member comes home — to know what to expect and not to expect.

In terms of recognizing possible PTSD (which often develops a long time after deployment), this fictional idea could be very helpful.

(You also might like to check out my proposed TV fictional show dealing with PTSD at www.SolomonsJustice.com)

© 2012 Miller Mosaic LLC

Phyllis Zimbler Miller is the author of fiction and nonfiction books/ebooks. A new nonfiction ebook of hers is book marketing ebook TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO MARKET YOUR BOOK ON AMAZON AND FACEBOOK and her newest fiction ebook is the romantic suspense spy story CIA FALL GUY.

Click here to visit her Amazon author page at amazon.com/author/phylliszimblermiller

She also has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is the co-founder of the online marketing company www.MillerMosaicLLC.com