'I Came Back Home with Less Than Zero': One Veteran's Road to Rebuilding

Robert Rice served in the United States Army in the late 80s, but after he was imprisoned for a DUI, he says he "came back home with less than zero.” Now he works as manager in the receivings and finishings department at BJ’s Custom Creations and has just a year left on his MBA from the University of Maryland. He was able to achieve these goals with the help of Easterseals’ Veteran Staffing Network (VSN) who took personal care to help him thrive after leaving service.

Rice’s situation is not unique. Transitioning from military to civilian employment can be difficult for many families. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, some of the barriers that veterans face include: learning how to apply for a new job, adapting to the different demands of civilian workplaces, and dealing with an overall lack of structure in civilian life. Easterseals VSN helps manage this transition and assures that veterans get support along the way.

After leaving the military, Rice felt alone: "I didn't know how I was going to find a job, didn't know how I was going to do anything." He also says he didn't know how to accept help, which is a common thread among veterans for many reasons, including the perceived social stigma about receiving assistance.

Rice began to get support after meeting the staff at Easterseals DC MD VA at a job fair. To begin his job search, he received a laptop and was connected with a veterans group at an American Job Center. From there, he was able to find his job at BJ’s Custom Creations, a custom print and embroidery shop outside of DC. When they hired him, he said, "it was a weight off my shoulders." Employment gave him the ability to find pride in himself once again. In his position, he is able to take on a leadership role and show what he is capable of in the workforce, not just to his employer—but to himself. “It gave me a little hope,” he says.  

Setting Veterans Up For Success 

Easterseals is committed to helping veterans reach their goals and thrive in the civilian world. In addition to the Veterans Staffing Network, Easterseals DC MD VA provides a wide array of support for veterans and their families.

Research shows that approximately 15% of all veterans serving in Afghanistan or Iraq have PTSD, and they have a much higher rate of substance abuse and suicide than the general population. The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic provides crucial services, most importantly access to counseling services. Despite rising numbers of former service members seeking counseling, there is still a widespread stigma against obtaining mental health services. Easterseals provides a welcoming environment for all veterans regardless of how and when they served, and has clocked in a total of 7,691 hours of therapy.

Homelessness is a major concern for veterans, who are approximately twice as likely as the general population to experience homelessness. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program helps veterans avoid homelessness through hands-on employment counseling and connections, while providing funds for those who need to acquire specialized licenses, training, and certifications. In addition, they provide connections with supplementary services to help veterans gain access to everything they need to succeed. 

Caregivers perform a vital role in helping veterans readjust to the civilian world, especially disabled veterans. Most of this support comes from family members who often serve as caregivers in addition to their other responsibilities. Respite Services and Caregiver Support gives caregivers a sense of ease knowing their loved one is taken care of, so they can take needed time off, avoiding additional stress or burnout. 

Encouragement and New Beginnings

For Rice, he states that his journey to success began with someone "just being encouraging.” From there, the material support helped him navigate a situation where he “couldn't understand why things happened the way they did, but they did." Looking back on his experience, he says, “there are others like me who maybe don't know a lot of these resources are out there.” He hopes by sharing his story, he can bring awareness to the services and supports available to veterans. 

As Rice said himself, "if I can give back in that small way, I'm all in."