Iraq War Over But Utah Veterans Struggle In Civilian Life

(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY - It was been almost five years since Edward Carey jumped into action in Iraq to save the lives of his comrades.

Enemy rockets hit the chow tent during dinner time and Carey, a combat medic led his squad into the chaos to treat the injured.

They saved lives that day and the Army awarded Carey for his heroic efforts.

Still, years later, he is haunted by the thought that he couldn’t save everyone. “I still blame myself,” he said.

Carey is one of many Utah Iraq war veterans who is struggling with post traumatic stress after the war. His emotional wounds have taken a toll on him and his family.

His wife Danja, whom he describes as his “rock” has been forever changed too by her husband’s experience.

“Some days I’m in tears. I want my husband back,” she said. Overcoming emotional wounds is a big issue that impedes many Iraq war vets from successfully becoming civilians again.

Carey, who served two tours in Iraq, said going from warrior to civilian does not happen automatically.

“You spend years training for war, but nobody trains you to become a civilian again," he said.

Patricia Gullberg, who is a counselor at the Salt Lake Veterans Administration, said veterans come home with so many readjustment issues, including PTSD. She said the good news is veterans can get better.

“The bravest thing a person can do is ask for help,” she said. Gullberg added that over time, the symptoms can fade and vets can get back to their lives again or even take on new roles that make them happy.

Edward Carey finally feels like he’s made progress after attending a 7 week program at the VA in Colorado.

Another aspect of civilian life that does not come easy for many combat veterans of today, is employment.

The state of Utah said in 2011, 7.1 % of all Utahns were unemployed. During the same year, 12.6 percent of Iraq war veterans were jobless.

Chuck Rackham, who helps unemployed vets look for work says the jobless rate is even higher for combat war vets who are 18-24 years old – around 30 percent nationally.

Jordan Studer is 25. He served two tours in Iraq with the Army. He’s been a civilian since December. He said he spends all his time looking for work.

“I’d get a job at 7-11 if I could. I just want to work,” he said. Studer said he is ashamed of having to take unemployment benefits because he’s always been able to provide for himself.

He enrolled in the Army at 17 and it’s been his only work experience – his resume reflects that and it’s not what employers want, he said.

Chuck Rackham, who is Program Support Manager with the Employer Partnership effort, helps Utah vets find jobs, by teaching them interview and resume skills and hooks them up with employers.

He feels confident there is plenty of work. He says many vets have just have to be willing to learn some job hunting skills and have to make decisions for themselves after years of following order.

That is often hardest he says, for the younger veterans who have spent all or most of their adult lives working for the military.

Below are resources for veterans who want to find work, or want to get counseling with all types of readjustment issues, including PTSD.

If you are a veteran who needs work, here's some options:

Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces: www.employerpartnership.org

Heroes to Hired: https://h2h.jobs/

Utah Department of Workforce Services:
https://jobs.utah.gov/jobseeker/veterans/index.html

Special Program For Employers to Hire Vets:
https://jobs.utah.gov/jobseeker/veterans/patriotpledge.html

If you are veteran who needs help for physical, emotional, issues -- including PTSD, visit: www.saltlakecity.va.gov

The VA hospital in Salt Lake has a walk-in clinic every Tuesday at 11am, Building 16.

Veterans do not need an appointment for the PTSD clinic, only need to provide DD form 214.

Видео Iraq War Over But Utah Veterans Struggle In Civilian Life канала KUTV2