After the Uniform: General Barry McCaffrey

There is no doubting General McCaffrey is an expert on Military Affairs.  He recognizes the unfair burden this war has been for so few to carry.  He also recognizes that our current generation of military and veterans are the most battle-weary of any generation preceding them (the downside to an all-volunteer force in the modern age).  Aside from these acknowledgments, McCaffrey brought up four major points:

• New Types of Injuries:  McCaffrey stated that every war has its signature wound and this one is no different.  Due to the asymmetrical nature of IED attacks, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are, bar none, the most prevalent injury seen resulting from this conflict.  McCaffrey asserts that more needs to be done to assure that these wounded warriors get adequate and appropriate care.
• The VA is a Giant Bureaucracy:  McCaffrey also stated that the VA is a bureaucracy that is so big it is creating unnecessary hurdles to providing timely and appropriate care for returning veterans.  He asserts that the system is broken and can only provide for the needs of our veterans by expanding their resources.  McCaffrey espouses the concept of a veteran health card that would allow a veteran to get free medical care anywhere, any time.  I am sure that this will be a hotly debated subject in months to come.  McCaffrey is stating he supports universal health care for veterans.
• Corporate Awareness of Veterans' Issues:  McCaffrey questions the true awareness of veterans' issues on the corporate side.  He questions whether they actually understand the challenges facing a warfighter returning home.  Despite the latest efforts by veterans' organizations to promote the hiring of veterans, are these employers educated and prepared to support our service members transition back to civilian life successfully?
• Veterans Treatment Courts: McCaffrey asserts that many veterans who have turned to alcohol or drugs to cope with their issues, have committed non-violent (in some specific cases violent) crimes should have a separate court that would facilitate the treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation of our nation's heroes.  For more information on this issue visit this website.

General McCaffrey demonstrated a keen understanding of the many different facets of the challenges facing our service members and our veterans.  Despite this, I still was left with a sour taste in my mouth.  While I recognize his years of service and his dedication to his country and its men and women in uniform, one simple sentence is what I will remember him for:  "PTSD can be cured within a year"

I am not going to address this comment here.  Because I feel so strongly about this comment, I will be drafting a letter to General McCaffrey (which I will post in the blog and forward to him) and afford him the opportunity to respond.