Veterans are Resilient, Not Invincible

Fact: It is true that Veterans are trained to endure many hardships and to be resilient; however, like all of us, they are affected by their experiences and appreciate compassion and understanding from others.

Military Training

Military training is designed to build a proud, physically and emotionally fit dedicated member of the United States Armed Forces. No matter which branch of service, basic training is an intense experience. It tests the individual’s ability to overcome harsh conditions with the goal of preparing the individual for all elements of service.

Unrealistic Expectations

Knowing that military training is intense often results in both Veterans and civilians believing that military personnel can tolerate almost any kind of challenge with little to no impact on their physical, mental or emotional well–being.

While this perception highlights the strengths of military training, it can also lead to unrealistic expectations related to the Veteran’s performance level and ability to recover from stressful events. For example, employers may minimize or dismiss signs that a Veteran may be struggling. Likewise, the Veteran could be hesitant to seek additional support, especially for mental health services due to the concern of being perceived as "weak."

Help Employers Recognize Stressors

Despite their rigorous military training, Veterans are not immune to life stressors. As an EAP provider, it may be important to help employers to create a workplace culture that encourages and destigmatizes help–seeking for personal and work–related problems. Help employers stay informed about resources and supports for Veterans, and remind them to show the same civility and sensitivity when working with Veterans as they do with their civilian employees.