Our Veterans: Winners, Losers, Friends, and Enemies on the New Terrain of Veterans Affairs

Our Veterans explores the impact of military service and the problems veterans face when returning to civilian life, criticizing advocacy organizations, philanthropies, corporations, and politicians. It examines the cost, quality, and effectiveness of VA healthcare and generational divisions and political tensions among veterans. It proposes a new agenda for veterans affairs linking service provision to broader social programs benefiting all Americans.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Our Veterans: A Comprehensive Exploration of the Physical, Emotional, Social, Economic, and Psychological Impact of Military Service and the Challenges Faced by Veterans in Returning to Civilian Life
Suzanne Gordon, Steve Early, and Jasper Craven delve into the profound impact of military service on individuals, examining its physical, emotional, social, economic, and psychological dimensions. They critically assess the role of advocacy organizations, philanthropies, corporations, and politicians who claim to be "pro-veteran." The authors explore the ongoing debate surrounding the cost, quality, and effectiveness of healthcare provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and highlight generational divisions and political tensions among veterans, as exemplified by the events of 2020, including the Black Lives Matter protests and the Trump-Biden presidential contest.

In their groundbreaking book, Our Veterans, Gordon, Early, and Craven propose a new agenda for veterans affairs that links service provision to veterans to the pursuit of broader social programs benefiting all Americans. They argue that veterans' needs should be prioritized and that the VA should be equipped with the resources and support necessary to meet those needs effectively.

The book begins by exploring the physical toll of military service, including the physical injuries, mental health issues, and chronic illnesses that veterans often face. Gordon, Early, and Craven highlight the challenges that veterans face in accessing healthcare, particularly for those who live in rural areas or have limited financial resources. They also discuss the impact of military service on family relationships and the challenges that veterans face in reintegrating into civilian life.

The authors then turn to the emotional impact of military service, examining the psychological trauma that veterans experience, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. They highlight the importance of providing veterans with access to mental health services and the challenges that veterans face in seeking treatment. Gordon, Early, and Craven also discuss the impact of military service on veterans' sense of identity and the challenges that they face in finding meaningful employment after leaving the military.

The book also explores the social impact of military service, examining the challenges that veterans face in finding housing, education, and employment. Gordon, Early, and Craven highlight the importance of providing veterans with access to affordable housing and the challenges that they face in accessing education and employment programs. They also discuss the impact of military service on veterans' families and the challenges that they face in maintaining relationships with their loved ones.

The economic impact of military service is also explored in the book, with Gordon, Early, and Craven highlighting the challenges that veterans face in finding employment and the impact of military service on their retirement savings. They also discuss the impact of military service on the economy as a whole, including the cost of healthcare and the impact of military service on the job market.

In addition to these issues, Our Veterans also examines the political tensions that exist among veterans, particularly in the context of the Trump-Biden presidential contest. Gordon, Early, and Craven highlight the challenges that veterans face in accessing political representation and the impact of political polarization on veterans' rights. They also discuss the importance of promoting veterans' rights and the need for greater political engagement among veterans.

One of the key strengths of Our Veterans is its comprehensive approach to the issue of veterans' affairs. The authors draw on a wide range of sources, including interviews with veterans, military experts, and policymakers, to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges that veterans face. They also provide a range of solutions to these challenges, including advocating for increased funding for the VA, improving access to mental health services, and promoting veterans' rights.

However, Our Veterans also has some limitations. One of the main criticisms of the book is that it does not provide a clear solution to the issue of veterans' healthcare. While the authors highlight the challenges that veterans face in accessing healthcare, they do not offer a clear solution to the problem. This is a significant issue, as veterans' healthcare is a critical issue that affects the lives of millions of Americans.

Another limitation of the book is that it does not provide a clear analysis of the political tensions that exist among veterans. While the authors highlight the challenges that veterans face in accessing political representation, they do not provide a clear analysis of the political polarization that exists among veterans. This is a significant issue, as political polarization can have a negative impact on veterans' rights and the ability of veterans to access the services that they need.

Despite these limitations, Our Veterans is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the issue of veterans' affairs. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges that veterans face and offers a range of solutions to these challenges. It is a must-read for policymakers, military experts, and anyone who wants to learn more about the impact of military service on individuals and society.

In conclusion, Our Veterans: A Comprehensive Exploration of the Physical, Emotional, Social, Economic, and Psychological Impact of Military Service and the Challenges Faced by Veterans in Returning to Civilian Life is a groundbreaking book that provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges that veterans face. The authors critically assess the role of advocacy organizations, philanthropies, corporations, and politicians who claim to be "pro-veteran" and propose a new agenda for veterans affairs that links service provision to veterans to the pursuit of broader social programs benefiting all Americans. While the book has some limitations, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the issue of veterans' affairs.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478018544