This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with Marine veteran Andrew Higgins, who shares the brutal reality of military transition. After enlisting as an 0311 Rifleman, Andrew deployed to Afghanistan, where he faced life-threatening situations and the psychological conditioning of becoming a warfighter.
Now a Readjustment Counselor and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Andrew exposes the military’s most significant failure—its lack of support for transitioning veterans. He discusses the emotional toll of combat, the struggles of reintegration, and whether the responsibility for helping veterans transition should fall on the military or outside organizations.
If you’ve ever wondered about the mental challenges veterans face after service, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. What do you think? Should the military do more to support transitioning veterans? Comment below!
🚨 We Need Your Help Improving Veteran Support! 🚨
Andrew is conducting a research study on veteran reintegration experiences, and your input can help shape future support programs. If you are a U.S. military veteran, please take 8 minutes to complete this confidential survey:
👉 Take the Survey Here: https://alliant.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yAyHVylSQzoflQ
Your participation is crucial in helping improve resources for veterans. Mental health support resources are provided regardless of completion.
What do you think? Should the military do more to support transitioning veterans? Drop a comment below!
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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!
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Video Chapters:
01:15 – Growing Up in a Conservative Household
03:45 – Why I Joined the Marines: A Fascination with Death
06:10 – The Harsh Realities of Boot Camp & Marine Culture
09:30 – Combat Deployment to Afghanistan: Facing Life & Death
14:20 – Returning Home: The Unexpected Struggles of Reintegration
19:45 – Why the Military Fails Veterans After Service
24:00 – PTSD, Depression & The Silent Battle Veterans Fight
28:30 – From Warfighter to Therapist: Helping Veterans Heal
32:15 – How to Fix Veteran Transition: Who’s Responsible?
#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #mentalhealth #veteranmentalhealth
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