Description
Book SynopsisIn Our Veterans, Suzanne Gordon, Steve Early, and Jasper Craven explore the physical, emotional, social, economic, and psychological impact of military service and the problems that veterans face when they return to civilian life.
Trade Review"This chilling account explores the physical, economic and psychological consequences of military service on veteran health and takes a critical look at the many players involved in shaping veteran life in the United States." * New York Times *
"This little book is jam-packed with information that is not only fascinating, it promises to be incredibly helpful to any vet who will take the time to read it. . . Every veteran involved with the VA will find that
Our Veterans is a reference book they can access as an unprecedented toolbox full of information that will come in handy in every confrontation with the Department of Veterans Affairs." -- John Ketwig * The Veteran *
"The civilian community is largely unaware of the harm to all caused by the specialized problems facing our current veterans, and the growing drive to privatize the VA. Nor is it aware of the rising movement against this trend. Anyone having concerns about these issues will find
Our Veterans to be an essential source of information. It provides a thorough, well-written analysis of the situation, and the direction we need to take in response." -- Ronald Citkowski * Against the Current *
"The strength of this book is its honesty about the whole field of military service and its effects on those who survive it; as well as, those who don’t. The authors demonstrate through this, and previous activities, their concerns for the well-being of those who have served. Their writing is straight-forward, clear, and honest." -- Kim Scipes * Stansbury Forum *
"As Suzanne Gordon, Steve Early and Jasper Craven make clear in their new book,
Our Veterans, thinking about veterans as a monolithic group with the same experiences, same outlook and same needs is wrong. The extensively researched and sourced
Our Veterans sets out to explain why." -- Janis Hashe * East Bay Express *
"The authors of
Our Veterans have taken a deep dive into a large and little understood corner of the social safety net. Their detailed depiction of how the forces of neoliberalization interact with the unique history, culture, and politics of this sector is an important contribution to our understanding of how working people are affected by these forces in all aspects of their lives." -- Mark Dudzic * New Labor Forum *
"The authors bring extensive research, a strong progressive analysis, and powerful advocacy to this expansive review of veterans’ issues. . . .
Our Veterans illustrates the dangerous impact of the U.S.’s massive military on many service members. It also shines a light on the many ways in which corporate greed and privatization are encroaching on our public resources, including the resources to robustly support our veterans when they come home." * New Politics *
"An important addition to the literature about American veterans in the forever-war era. ... I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the complicated and interconnected world of veteran policies, politics, and processes, then work to make them better."
-- Jim Craig * Journal of Military History *
Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations ix
Preface xiii
Authors' Note and Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction: Friendly Fire 1
1. A Toxic Workplace 27
2. Life and Work after the Military 57
3. Stolen Valor 85
4. Last Stand of the Legion Post? 108
5. The New VSOs 134
6. A VA Healthcare Struggle 155
7. Playing the Veteran Card 176
8. Veterans and the 2020 Election 199
Conclusion: Rethinking Veterans Affairs 222
Notes 253
Selected Bibliography 311
Index 317
