Five Ideas to Transform a Soldier's Life - Healthcare strategist proposes policy
changes to benefit veterans
Veterans Day is the time to rethink veteran policies. Soldiers and their families are in a
state of crisis at home. A healthcare strategist proposes five ideas that promises to
change things.
(1888PressRelease) November 07, 2009 - Honolulu, Hawaii - Veterans Day is
Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Since 9/11, more than 1.6 million men and women
have served in the U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"War changes people," stated Noe Foster, CEO of theStrategist. "Research confirms that
the battle does not end when combat soldiers return home. For many the battle
intensifies."
A large number struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD) Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI), substance abuse, violent rages, and strained family relationships.
Our combat veterans need more than lip service and parades.
Here are five policy changes to transform the life of a soldier and help him or her win
their personal battle at home:
1. Presume Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will occur. One in three soldiers will
return from war with PTSD. The probability increases dramatically with multiple
deployment. Treat all combat soldiers in theatre and at home as if they were already
experiencing PTSD. Lift the 5-year diagnosis time period attached to PTSD disability
benefits. Screening for PTSD is flawed since symptoms can be masked for many years.
Like other mental health conditions, PTSD carries a debilitating stigma that hampers
early intervention.
2. Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) from occurring. One in five combat veteran
returns home with a TBI. Repeated deployments increase the likelihood of an occurrence
exponentially.The cause of a war-related TBI is most often from exposure of a detonated
IED or from a motor vehicle accident. Improved safety devices like head restraints need
to be explored.
3. Prepare job-ready Guard and Reserve soldiers. Help them translate their experience in
a combat zone to skills local job markets want. National Guard and Reserve troops make
up 48% of the armed forces in the war zones. Many while down range have received
“Dear John,” letters from employers whose businesses have collapsed and closed.
4. Auto-enroll Guard and Reserve soldiers who have been deployed to war into the
Veteran Affairs health and benefit system. Only 20% of veterans now use the VA
healthcare system. Many fail to register for these benefits.

5. Search for and identify children of active duty Guard and Reserve troops. Provide
school-based mental health wellness programs to help them cope with a parent’s
deployment and return. While in Iraq, Afghanistan, or at home, soldiers worry for the
health and happiness of their children. Studies reveal that children of deployed troops
experience significantly more stress than their friends.
Noe Foster is the CEO and founder of the Strategist, a healthcare advisory firm. Foster is
the author of "Stop the $,$$$,$$$,$$$ Bleeding: How you and I can turnaround
healthcare costs now."
Contact: Noe Foster, theStrategist
E-mail: NFoster ( @ ) theStrategist dot tv
Tel: 808 753.7223
http://www.thestrategist.tv
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