#264 Veteran RoundTable: Afghanistan Withdrawal / Evacuation

Borne the Battle

Approximately four months have passed since the Afghanistan withdrawal. Since then, Veterans across the country have grappled with figuring out what it means to them. For some Veterans, these last four months could have felt like a painful slog. For others, it could have felt like a chaotic blur that whizzed right on by.

We know that every Veteran will process the withdrawal from Afghanistan differently.

This episode of Borne the Battle features four intrepid Afghanistan Veterans who discuss how they processed their own emotions as the Afghanistan withdrawal unfolded while reflecting on their service. The four Veterans are:

• Marine Veteran Stephen Kupryk served two tours in Afghanistan and now wrestles professionally under the name Steve Maclin.
• Air Force Veteran Amanda Huffman served in Afghanistan as a civil engineer before transitioning out of the military. She now hosts her own podcast addressing real issues women face while in the military, called Women of the Military Podcast.
• Marine Veteran Daniel Sharp served 11 years in the military and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He now runs his own media company to bring laughter to troops worldwide, and hosts his own podcast named The Smoke Pit.
• Marine Veteran Zachary Bell served two tours to Afghanistan and now dedicates a substantial part of his life assisting service members, Veterans, first responders and their families with his project, Veteran With A Sign.

During and after the withdrawal, Kupryk thought about what he would have done differently. Huffman experienced the withdrawal with a therapist by her side. Sharp thought about the war in Afghanistan within its broader historical context, while Bell coped by using humor.

In the end, no Veteran should ever have to feel alone. If this Borne the Battle roundtable resonated with you, please consider parsing through your own experience with fellow Veterans. To learn more about group counseling services, talk to a representative at your local Vet Center.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• Air Force Veteran Jamie Fox

Additional Links:

If you are a Veteran in crisis and need Veteran-oriented help, contact: 1-800-273-8255.

• Check out VA’s four-part series on how Afghanistan Veterans can get help through VA with the following links:
  • How Afghanistan Veterans can reconcile their service
  • How Afghanistan Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans
  • How spouses, caregivers can support Veterans with PTSD
  • Resources for PTSD
• VA and Indian Health Service broaden scope to serve American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans
• VA statement on GPO printing and mailing delay
• VA advances Electronic Health Record Modernization program

For Veterans who need assistance due to the Afghanistan withdrawal, consider calling The Independence Fund call center