Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with many Veterans and they have taught me so much about the sacrifices they made for our freedom.

I used to be amazed at the courage our military showed in very traumatic situations that, frankly, I wouldn’t have tried. More recently, however, I have come to realize that one of the most significant impacts on their lives was the need to adapt multiple times to fulfill their duties.

We have probably all heard or seen military recruitment materials that offer an opportunity for those who are interested in seeing the world while serving. That sounds very attractive, but it definitely does not describe the price that those who accept the challenge will pay.

Here are some of the specific adjustments our veterans have faced:

1. Culture: Joining the military not only subjects individuals to the hierarchical command structure, but it also affects day-to-day activities. The organization determines when you will get up in the morning, what you will eat, and the types of training and exercise you will do. Many of my veterans have told me that they learned to work hard and then play very hard, as they never knew what the future would bring.

2. Location – Publications and duty shifts can be done anywhere in the world, on land, in the air, or at sea. In addition to having specific training sites, the military will often go where they are needed to help in emergencies. More recently, in Canada, for example, we have been proud of the work done by the military in nursing homes in Quebec during the pandemic. The residence can be in a barracks, tent or other dwelling, often without the presence of relatives.

3. Health: the military helps its members to strengthen their physical and mental health, but discharge is often accompanied by the opposite. Many veterans suffer for years from flat feet, torn ligaments, or missing limbs. My work focuses on service-related mental health diagnoses including post-traumatic stress disorder, unresolved grief, substance abuse, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression.

4. Relationships: A member of the military’s work and lawsuits often affect their relationships. A veteran who has been trained to perform difficult tasks without regard for personal feelings often does not feel comfortable sharing the things he has seen and done with his loved ones. Your unexplained withdrawal or lunge can be very difficult for others to understand.

The adjustment for a veteran begins on the day of enlistment and does not end even with discharge.

Despite these things, our Veterans serve the country and return home as heroes. To do that, they have had to adapt many times over the years. They sacrificed so that we could experience freedom.

Remember to honor our veterans not just on November 11, but every day of the year.

They did things that I couldn’t even imagine doing!