Journey Through Cancer – Chapter 23 – One Veteran's Reflections

Among my friends is a young (from my perspective) couple; he is an Air Force officer: she is a stay-at-home mom. The wife drove me to my radiation treatment session Friday. This, of course, gave rise to conversations about what military service is like today and what it was like during my two enlistments. Naturally, there are differences between the Navy (in which I served) and the Air Force, but there are many common principles. Although some Naval traditions and customs originate in the distant past when men first went to sea in boats, the Air Force has a much shorter history, originating as a part of the Army. Nevertheless, among the principles that both services shared was, “We take care of our own.”
When I was on active duty, that principle meant, among other things, that when some was injured on duty the services didn't just put them out. In fact, after my motor vehicle accident (not even a combat injury), when authorization came through for my discharge, I was informed that I had to be “fit for full duty” before I could be discharged. Furthermore, a member of my unit during my first hitch developed diabetes. Although it could not be considered “service connected,” it prevented him from continuing his enlistment, but he could never become “fit for full duty.” Therefore, the Navy medically retired him with the appropriate benefits, a percentage of base pay, exchange privileges, commissary privileges, and hospital care for life.
In contrast, I repeatedly hear of men and women wounded in combat zones with injuries severe enough to never be declared “fit for full duty” being discharged while under medical care. Furthermore, they must apply for VA benefits rather than receive the benefits of a medical retirement. However, I do understand from a political point of view why this should develop. We have been involved in some very expensive wars and are currently bogged down in Iraq. Every time the funding comes up in Congress, there is a fight. If wounded troops are medically retired, their pay and benefits continue to be part of the DOD budget, but if they are discharged, their benefits are part of the VA budget, a hidden cost of war.
From my own experience of care in the nearly twenty-five years that I have received medical care from VA facilities, I can say that they will receive care as good as or better than civilian medical care. However, when dealing with procedural issues, I sometimes have to remind myself that it is run by the government and derived from the military. Furthermore, I have talked to enough of our staff to know that many of them are reservists who would bring with them military medical experience which would make the care close to that of a military hospital. Nevertheless, it is not quality of care that concerns me, but rather responsibility for care.
What Marine would want to continue to serve in a Marine Corps that doesn't care for its own? What airman would want to continue to serve in an Air Force that doesn't care for its own? What sailor would want to continue to serve in a Navy that doesn't care for its own? What soldier would want to continue to serve in an Army that doesn't care for its own? Nevertheless, this seems to be what the politicians have given us.
I am so grateful that we have a VA medical care system that takes good care of our wounded warriors. At least the nation as a whole is not abandoning them. Furthermore, we are blessed with staff throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs who distinguish themselves as more than just bureaucrats. They have kept up the level of service in spite of continual underfunding. This is particularly evident at James A Haley VA Medical Center, the busiest VA hospital in the country which is further stressed by the influx of “snow birds” every winter. In the more than twenty years that I have received care there, I have never had less than the best of care, better than any health plan has ever given me.
As a Buddhist today I could never kill anyone, but I cannot disrespect warriors who have taken on the commitment to protect me. I really can't hold them accountable for the wars into which the politicians send them, even when the “enemy” poses no real threat to us. The true warriors' goal is to serve others which is the basis of altruistic motivation.