4 Common Myths About Veterans | Michael G. Sheppard

4 COMMON MYTHS A B O U T

V E T E R A N S

Although there are 22 million veterans in the United States and two holidays dedicated to those who have served, there are still a few myths associated with veterans. Below you can find the most popular of those myths and why they are far from the truth.

MYTH #1: EVERY VETERAN HAS PTSD. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD affects 31% of Vietnam veterans, 10% of Gulf War veterans, 11% of veterans from the war in Afghanistan, and 20% of veterans from the Iraqi war.

Basing your knowledge on these statistics, don’t assume that every veteran is suffering from PTSD. Unless a veteran directly shares that information with you, assume otherwise.

MYTH #2: VETERANS WHO HAVE PTSD ARE VIOLENT. Although not every veteran will have PTSD, there are those who suffer from the disorder. A common association with PTSD is that it makes people violent and irrational.

Less than 8% of PTSD patients have violent outbursts.

Typically people with PTSD experience a number of problems including, depression, anxiety, drinking or drug problems, relationship problems, or physical symptoms like chronic pain.

MYTH #3: THERE ARE BARELY ANY FEMALE VETERANS. By the end of WWI, women were officially allowed to serve in the military as spies, nurses, or other in other supportive roles. After WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, more opportunities for women were created.

Today in the United States (including Puerto Rico and Foreign Territories) you can find almost 2 million female veterans.

MYTH #4: VETERANS GET HIRED EASILY AFTER RETURNING HOME. Transitioning from service life to civilian life can be challenging. When veterans begin their job search after serving, they often find that the skills they used in combat don’t easily transition to a typical 9 to 5.

Employers may also be apprehensive about hiring a veteran due to upcoming deployments or stereotypes surrounding veterans.