From early on, we are initiated into the culture of the soldier. Children spend precious hours of their childhood chasing each other with plastic guns, reenacting battles in their backyards.
The transition to adolescence moves the battlefield to digital fronts, where teens begin to think critically about the strategies they utilize to conquer their competitors. At every hop and skip to adulthood, there is a medium for one to be absorbed into the warrior’s culture.
But our fascination with war is not about the violence — it’s about the triumph of victory. Terms like “glory” and “valor” are reserved for our enlisted forces — our last remaining everyday heroes.
Yes, the actions of individual soldiers are not always commendable, but the military as a whole accomplishes objectives through sheer skill, determination and force that are at times seemingly impossible.
But there are two sides to every story, and the darker side of this tale is much less inspiring.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans comprise roughly 20 percent of the homeless population in America. These veterans, who have served on every front from the Vietnam War to the War on Drugs in South America, often struggle with alcohol abuse and mental and drug-related problems.
The VA has no doubt been dedicated to alleviating such problems, but the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that approximately 50 percent of veterans who experience homelessness are not attended to by the VA’s programs. These individuals are forced to seek out the philanthropy of non-governmental organizations and faith-based services.
At the very best, the existence of such widespread veteran homelessness is incongruent with the level of respect and honor associated with serving in the armed forces. At worst, it is downright shameful.
The issues that spur homelessness in veterans are undeniably complicated, and certainly any solution undertaken will not solve every case of destitution.
However, unique opportunities arise for the state of Louisiana as newly minted veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan make their way home.
A 2007 report published by the Homeless Research Institute (HRI) showed that Louisiana has one of the highest rates of homeless veterans in the nation, behind only California, Texas, Florida and New York.
Current relief programs focus on just that — meals, shelter and psychological counseling.
No programs exist in Louisiana that specifically focus on endowing veterans with useable skills and job training.
As the HRI report found that many skills learned during military service are nontransferable to civilian life, state programs could be developed that introduce willing veterans to vocational colleges.
It was also found that 67 percent of homeless veterans that return to the U.S. have spent three or more years in service. Therefore, these veterans are reentering civilian life in their mid-20s without anything more than a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Lack of education, coupled with severe stress disorders, has resulted in these vets becoming poor candidates for the current job market. This is evidenced by the fact that 45 percent of these veterans request help finding a job versus 37 percent seeking housing aid.
Extending vocational school scholarships to veterans would effectively cause the state to meet these veterans in the middle.
This more proactive measure would supply veterans with marketable skill sets and may prove more effective in the long run than simply providing aid benefits.
Although the LSU system is currently operating under tight budget constraints, it should open its mind to one day partaking in such an initiative.
It is tragic that such widespread problems continue to persist, but at the same time they should not be ignored merely because they require difficult or elaborate solutions.
Every soldier entered into a contract with the United States government to offer his or her time, skills and if need be, life. And if the heavy hand of the federal government cannot protect their rights, Louisiana should take the time to care for its own.
 
Chris Freyder is a 21-year-old biological sciences senior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cfreyder.
 
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Contact Chris Freyder at [email protected]