The Never-Ending War: Veterans and the Fight Against PTSD

• In Event: Collusion in the Courts: What Many Courts Do Not Want to Hear about Veteran Defendants

Abstract

Historically, PTSD is a common side effect of war and always has been. More than 2.6 million Americans have now served in Iraq and Afghanistan. A recently released government study reported up to 20%, over a half-million, are suffering from PTSD. Many believe those numbers will ultimately be higher. Government studies of Vietnam veterans determined that between a third and a half suffered some long-term psychiatric issues related to their service. Just as PTSD is a natural side effect of war, research also reveals veteran-committed crime waves in the wake of every major American conflict, particularly Vietnam. Forty years after that war, hundreds of thousands of psychologically injured Vietnam veterans are incarcerated, chronically addicted and/or homeless across our country. As an attorney and former Army Scout who has represented veterans in many high-profile cases, I drafted and led passage of Minnesota’s Veterans Sentencing Legislation and have helped pass similar legislation in other states. Recognized nationally for my work on behalf of veterans in the criminal courts, I briefed the Obama Presidential Transition Team, and leadership of the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. My most recent publication is, “The Attorney’s Guide to Defending Veterans in Criminal Court.”

Author

• Brock Hunter, The Law Office of Brockton D. Hunter P.A.