I am a veteran. What do I deserve?

The attention being paid to Veterans Affairs is a grand example of the boondoggle which occurs when science and empathy collide with politics and rhetoric. One might be left thinking Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is rampant and that all veterans and serving members of the Canadian Forces (CF) are somehow in need of help.

Veterans are making a lot of news lately. First with news that Veterans Affairs Canada did not use $1.1 billion in funding over seven years. Now with news that a $200 million mental-health initiative will be spent over either six years or fifty years depending upon which news release you are reading. This latter initiative spurred by news that there have been 160 suicides in regular and reserve forces in the past ten years. PTSD has become part of the common vernacular. 

I did some math. The national suicide rate predicts about 6.8 suicide deaths per year from a random selection of 68,000 Canadians – the enrolment of the CF. For the past ten years the CF – which is not a random selection – has averaged sixteen suicide deaths per year. More than double the national suicide rate. This is significant because Canadian Forces members are generally younger and healthier than the broad population. Being a member of the CF places you in a group with a heightened risk of suicide. 

This alarming correlation needs investigation. Why is the suicide rate in the CF so much higher than the national average? It could be the effects of PTSD after service in armed conflict – Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cyprus, Korea, and World War II spring to mind. If could be the enduring effect of a career that takes one away from loved ones for months at a time, even during periods of intense peace. It could be that the segment of the population drawn to service is pre-disposed to suicide for reasons that pre-date their enrolment. 

Canadians clearly feel that veterans who are suffering as a result of their service should get what help they need. But, this is where it gets tricky. Who gets what?

With all the recent attention I Googled, “Who is a veteran?” Veterans Affairs Canada considers any former member of the Canadian Forces who releases with an honourable discharge and who successfully underwent basic training to be a veteran. This morning, I learned that I am a veteran.

I was in the Royal Canadian Navy Primary Reserve from 1982 to 1996. I am the recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration – awarded to officers and Non-Commissioned Members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of service. The decoration is awarded to all ranks, who have a good record of conduct. Or, as Forces members like to say, “for twelve years of undetected crime.” I do not suffer any ill effects from my time in the service – except for a permanently damaged right index finger stemming from falling down stairs in the Hilton Hotel, Bristol, England because I was drunk and looking for a casino. Yah. I know. Not really Her Majesty’s proudest moment.

And this is where the boondoggle is. On one hand we have veterans and serving members who are genuinely in need. On the other hand we have politicians and interest groups making mileage from veterans because the current social climate does not permit for criticism of anything veteran. But, if you create a program that includes all veterans then you open yourself up to costs associated with almost 600,000 living Canadians who could avail themselves of the program, including me who mostly used my time in the Navy to pay for beer while I was in university.

It is very easy to caterwaul that our veterans (and serving members) need help. Some clearly do. It is great political mileage. But, really, every time a politician – on either side of the house – or lobbyist throws around the “veteran”  we should ask ourselves, “Do they mean all veterans or do they mean just those veterans who need help.”

I am a veteran. But, I am not in the latter group. I am very proud of my time in the Royal Canadian Navy. It was an interesting, challenging, formative time in my life. I do not, however, feel like I am owed any debt of appreciation. Indeed, I feel embarrassed if anybody ever pays me any special attention because of my time in the Navy. Nor do I feel like I need help. I respect that that there are veterans who do. But, in the current dialogue, realize that there are a lot of veterans – I will suggest a large majority – who feel like I do. We are grateful for our time in the Forces. But, we don’t feel we are owed anything. 

Craft programs to help those who actually need help. Do not get caught up in the rhetoric of respecting and saluting each and every veteran because lots of us just find it embarrassing.