For Some Returning U.S. Veterans It's A Hard Road Back

For Some Returning U.S. Veterans It's A Hard Road Back
By Heather Maher
WASHINGTON -- The United States has now been at war for the longest period in its history; nearly 11 years in Afghanistan and more than eight years in Iraq.

The U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks 10 years ago set into motion a massive military effort that to date has deployed more than 2 million U.S. soldiers abroad.

But for many returning veterans, joining the military has proven easier than leaving it.

For reasons ranging from the emotional toll exacted by multiple deployments to the lack of jobs back home, readjustment to civilian life in the post-9/11 era carries a difficult set of challenges.

U.S. President Barack Obama recently paid tribute to what he called "the 9/11 generation" of military members -- more than 5 million American men and women who have served in the ranks of the U.S. armed forces since 2001.

"They were there, on duty, that September morning, having enlisted in a time of peace, but they instantly transitioned to a war footing," he said. "They're the millions of recruits who have stepped forward since, seeing their nation at war and saying 'send me.'"

Stress Disorders And Major Depression

The number of suicides among not just Iraq and Afghan veterans, but currently serving military members, has been rising in recent years -- driven by what experts say are psychological problems caused by traumatic experiences and the stress of multiple deployments.

Some 800,000 troops have been sent to war more than once, and four and five deployments are not uncommon.

In 2010, suicide rates across all military branches rose 20 percent, to 468. That's more than the number who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan that year.

A RAND Corporation study found that 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression.

This past July, the army recorded its highest monthly toll of suicides ever: 32.

In 2010, suicide rates across all branches of the military rose 20 percent, to 468. That's more than the number who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan that year.

Kerr, who claims he hasn't experienced major symptoms of PTSD, sees plenty of fellow soldiers who are struggling with it. "Obviously the injury itself is pretty traumatic in most cases. Getting blown up, I can tell you, is not a fun experience I would wish on anybody," he said.

"Some guys were lucky and they blacked out, but a lot of us were conscious the whole time, which makes it even worse. And then most guys have been deployed several times now [and] have seen things that nobody else should have to see, especially at ages 19 or 20, or whatever they are."

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