Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time around veterans. I know what it means to put on the uniform. I served over six years in the Navy, including during the Gulf War, and like many veterans, I learned that service does not necessarily end when you take the uniform off. Recently, I was reminded that for many veterans, the hardest part can begin after they leave.
In August, I brought together veterans and people who work with veterans every day here in El Paso for a roundtable about where Texas can do better serving veterans. I wanted to hear where the system is working, where it is falling short and, most importantly, where veterans are getting stuck.
The answer I heard most clearly was during the transition out of the military.
Service members can have up to 18 months to prepare for civilian life. But 18 months can go by quickly when you’re trying to figure out where you’ll live, how to find a job, how your military experience translates to a civilian career and what happens to your healthcare and benefits especially if you are deployed.
Despite that preparation, it’s important to ask, “Do we do enough to help someone before they leave the military, or do we expect them to figure it out once they’re already on their own?”
Texas has good programs and people doing good work to care for veterans. But a program does not provide much help if a veteran doesn’t know it exists, doesn’t know whether they qualify, or can’t figure out who to call.
Transportation is one of those concerns that was brought up during the roundtable. So did the shortage of mental health providers, particularly in rural communities where the nearest provider may be hours away. We heard about the stigma that can keep veterans from asking for help, and the equally serious problem of whether someone will be there when they finally do.
We also heard from women veterans about needs that are too often overlooked, including access to reproductive healthcare, childcare and safe housing for women experiencing homelessness with their children.
All of these are practical barriers that can determine whether someone gets back on their feet.
We talked about veterans who become involved with the criminal justice system too. A veteran does not stop being a veteran because they are arrested or incarcerated. We need to do a better job identifying veterans in the justice system and connecting them with rehabilitation, mental health services, legal assistance and veterans courts where appropriate.
And we need to start preparing for the needs of an aging veteran population. Texas will have more Gulf War-era veterans entering older age, which means thinking now about veterans homes, long-term care and protecting elderly veterans from financial exploitation.
El Paso has people who care deeply about this community and spend every day helping veterans navigate these challenges. The problem is that veterans can still fall into the spaces between programs.
A veteran who can’t get to an appointment may go without care. Someone who can’t find mental health treatment may have trouble keeping a job. Losing that job can put housing at risk. And once housing is lost, every other problem becomes harder to solve.
That’s why I don’t think the answer is simply to create another program or pass another bill every time we find a gap. The answer is found in better coordination, ensuring veterans know what resources already exist and particularly in rural Texas, finding a way to bring services closer to the people who need them.
As we prepare for the 90th Legislative Session, I’m taking what I heard in that room with me. We’ll look at the ideas raised, from improving the transition out of military service to expanding access to care, supporting women veterans and their families, strengthening reentry services and preparing for an aging veteran population.
The people who work with veterans every day know where the system breaks down and we have a responsibility to listen to them.
I’ve spent over six years wearing the uniform. I know what it means to serve. Saying “thank you for your service” is easy. But making sure there is a clear path forward when that service ends is harder. That is the part we need to get right.
