Veterans Health Administration

American Sniper illustrates how difficult transitioning to civilian life can be

Transitioning to civilian life can be extremely challenging. The current box-office blockbuster American Sniper graphically illustrates just how difficult this transition can be. The movie portrays the true-life story of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. For those who haven’t seen the movie, many Servicemembers and Veterans have commented on how accurate the storytelling and acting is. Like Kyle, many of the men and women who serve our country find themselves feeling isolated, angry or conflicted when they return home, making it difficult to move forward and start the next chapter of their lives.

VA continues to develop resources to help navigate the readjustment to civilian life.

VA has developed, and continues to develop, resources to help Servicemembers and Veterans navigate the readjustment to civilian life. In addition to in-person resources such as Vet Centers and VA Medical Centers, VA also provides online programs and telephone-based services. Some of those resources include:

• Veteran Resource Center — a trio of free and confidential online training courses created specifically to equip Servicemembers and Veterans with practical skills and tools they can use daily. These courses are ideal for individuals who want to learn skills at the time, place and pace of their choosing. These interactive courses feature real Veterans and military families who share their stories and offer lessons learned. The courses are:
  • Moving Forward: teaches skills to overcome stressful problems such as difficulties transitioning from military to civilian life, balancing work/school and family, coping with physical injuries, and relationship issues.
  • Parenting for Service Members & Veterans: offers parents ways to reconnect with their children and strengthen their family. It covers everyday parenting and family issues, as well as those unique to the military lifestyle.
  • Anger & Irritability Management (AIMS): provides practical tools to better understand anger “triggers,” and to keep control of your reactions during difficult situations. It also teaches communication skills to help you get along better with people.
• AboutFace — provides a way to learn about PTSD from Veterans who live with it. Veterans share their stories about the challenges they have faced and how treatment has helped them turn their lives around. Also hear from family members who explain how their lives were improved once their loved-one sought treatment.
• Coaching into Care — offers telephone-based support and coaching for family members who would like to help their Servicemember or Veteran get mental health care treatment. This confidential service can also help military family members learn new ways to talk with their loved-one about the difficulties they face and why treatment can help.

These are just some of the VA resources available to help Servicemembers and Veterans start and improve the next chapter of their lives. Many other important resources — such as Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255) and Make the Connection — can be found at mentalhealth.va.gov and ptsd.va.gov.