the #1 Problem with the military transition program - Pathologizing

The number one problem with the military transition program is that it pathologizes normal human behaviors and marks Veterans as wrong, bad, or weak if they have a difficult transition to civilian life.  In this model Veterans are viewed as 'broken' and in need of 'fixing'.  This drives Veterans to ignore their own needs, pretend they are fine when they are not, and  not seek help for fear of being judged or looking weak.  The current transition process actually drives Veterans away from help.  Who wants to voluntarily seek help if they know  they're going to be painted as wrong or defective?  

A more effective model is normalizing depression, anxiety, uncertainty, and stress as common responses that all humans may have during transitions.  These responses are actually a signal that the human body is working exactly as its supposed to (and we can want it to be different).  Normalizing reduces the stigma around assistance by letting Veterans know they are not wrong or broken; they're simply humans who haven't yet been trained on how to move through a transition.  It says the Veteran is great just the way they are, AND  they can learn practices and skills to have more ease during a transition.