I'm sick of people always concentrating on women. No-one wanted to help veterens much, until homeless female vets started increasing at an alarming rate. I find every bit of it sickening.

I know a lot of you, men as well as women veterans are in shock at where you have ended up after serving your country. Very few people(female veterans) really know just how bad it really is. I am a female veteran from the Vietnam Era, and when I got out of the service and I went to the Veteran's hospital to see a doctor because I was pregnant, they had no services available for me. Then when I finally had my breakdown due to PTSD from sexual abuse and verbal abuse from the soldiers returning from Vietnam, I ended up on the psychiatric wards in the Veteran's Hospital. And would you like to know how that turned out? I was the only female on the ward full of male veterans. And you can imagine the filth I had to listen to and the solicitations from them. The same men that I had to deal with while on active duty. The last time I was a patient on the psychiatric ward was in 2008, and despite all the many years that have passed, I still ended up on a ward with men, and it just broke me down. It is unfair and ashame. Right now I have a nice place to live due to housing, but when I first came here, I too ended up in a residential center for homeless veterans, and although others came later, I at first was the only female veteran and under abuse by one of the male veterans. So, my heart goes out to you my female veterans and don't give up, there are always ways to get around it. I love all of you are where I once was, may God be with you.

Do you understand the word misogynist, Mike? Do you have any idea of the difference between what a female faces versus a male in a homeless situation? I have worked with the homeless and my heart has been so wrenched by what women have to deal with out there. Yes, female veterans who are homeless should cause more concern for those who care and may bring more attention to homeless veterans in general.

Vets treated like this and all the idiots can do in Washington is push for the next war.

I think the point is that the issue of homeless male vets has been in the news and recieved widespread attention and that the women, until now, have been ignored. And if it were up to women haters like you it would continue to be ignored.

I'm sure George Bush and his cronies allowing private contractors to send home suspects of sexual assult with immunity isn't helping many cope with sexual trauma mentioned in the article.

My sperm count are low!!! What the hell are you gonna do about it???

Well kornfed, as a suggestion, you could go to your local redneck bar, I'm sure there might be some bubbas there that would bend you over, you'd have to change some of the letters in your name then, or drop you on your knees in the bathroom. Your sperm count would increase dynamically. I'm not saying...I'm just saying.

why should veterans be any different.look around you.in every american city im seeing more homeless.listening to the presidents speech tonight he knows all about it.he blames outsourcing but makes more free trade/job exporting treaties.im sure things would be different if he wasnt getting hundreds of millions in campaign contributions from the outsourcing companies and their billionaire owners

The military industrial complex, war profiteers and war mongers are accustomed to using up men and women to wage wars but discard them like trash once the war is over and the medals are issued.

While the WallSt FatCats get trillions in bailout and political candidates report tens of millions in annual income, millions of veteran who answered the calls of the nation are homeless or dead or surviving on subsistance.

Succumbing to the rhoretic about 'liberty, freedom, and the American Way' they have all become fools fighting and dying for America's privileged class, The Men of Power. They even got the women fighting and dying for them--after spreading their legs and using them up. Anguish does not adequately describe the exploitation of these women by the Men of Power.

The picture is now clear. The working stiffs are slaves and their children sacrificial lambs to ensure the financial well beings of the FatCats and Political Elites.

Unfortunately, in almost every war we've been in, this is what happens. You have soldiers returning to a changed nation and economy. It even happened during the civil war, when soldiers couldn't find work after the war up until the Iraq wars. Nothing changed. The difference is that during WWII and the Vietnam war there were "programs" created for jobs, housing and training. Most of these people went to Army because they were uneducated and couldn't find "good" paying jobs. A few went to the Army because of "patriotism".

What I don't understand is what about their families? There's an aunt or uncle, mom or dad somewhere who can take these vets in. But a lot of them come back with mental illnesses and unstable.

The picture is now clear. The working stiffs are slaves and their children sacrificial lambs to ensure the financial well beings of the FatCats and Political Elites.

People are starting to realize facts. ECONOMIC SLAVERY. We didn't end slavery, we just morphed it into smoke and mirrors. It isn't just female vets. We do this to all below the 'wealthy' stratus. Yesterday I was informed of pipa's new $2100 handbag and I was in awe at the thought of her godlike status. NOT!

I bet we could help all of these women for at least 10 years if US military just bought one fighter jet less than scheduled...

Amazing that crap like that is happening while US spends more on defense than the rest of the world combined...

Judging from the post written by women above they want to join the military, get the money, benefits and everything else equally with the men who join but want sexually segregated amenities. The military is not an exclusive club. Go any place where you have a bunch of 20 to 30 year old men and women and it is not your local church picnic. Many wrong decisions are made by people in that age bracket but to blame everything on the military is a cop out. No one can say who would end up on drugs, on the street and pregnant if they didn't join the military anyway. That happens.

Frankly I'm tired of everybody blaming their problems on the military and wanting compensation from the VA. I was in the military and in combat and my reward was to just get out, start my life and do something creative and leave the past behind. VA compensation is deserved by the many who have related problems, not enjoying the food or comments from your brethren in arms shouldn't qualify someone for PTSD.

Another amazing job under the Obummer administration, we can send them off to fight and make millions for our war machine corporations, but once they come back, let's just sweep them aside.

Yes, Obummer 2012! Let's see even more veterans go homeless after we bring them back from Afghanistan!

Obama, I give you full permission to use that as a campaign slogan, really!

leroy brown - All the millions generated for the military industrial complex

Face the fact that the US Military Defense Industrial Complex that got the US out of the Great Depression, 1939, before US Entry into WWII, 1941, employs almost a hundred million expensive overpaid US Citizens. US President FDR created the US Military Defense Industrial Complex after his New Deal to the American People Failed (US Government spending money did not have to create jobs). President FDR also knew that US Consumerism would NOT get the US out of the Great Depression like the sales of "War Materials" would and did, now a days known as Foreign Military Sales.

To this day the Foreign Military Sales generates US Jobs, and offsets the US Trade Deficits. Previous examples would be the "Deal of the Century" of F-16 Foreign Military Sales, there were other Foreign Military Sales that are still generating Profits for the US, like the Foreign Military Sales of F-15s, resulting in the continued employment of US Citizens making repair parts, performing maintenance, upgrades, retrofits, complete rebuilds, etc.. To even get close to this how many Apple iPhones (Made In China) would you have to sell to equal just one F-15 sold to US Ally Saudi Arabia.

What should and could happen pertaining to US Military Veterans will never happen under this Administration. Being a US Military Veteran more than once (Vietnam, "Cold War", South and Central Americas, First Gulf War, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.), this Administration has been the worst, and I am happy because of that, that I was Recalled to Active Duty again (and again and again).

A very simple question how can this administration provide more benefits to US Military Veterans without increasing the Budget for US Military Veterans while increasing the numbers of US Military Veterans (the RIF of 27,000 US Military Personnel, plus the 10,000 US Military coming back from Germany soon to be RIF'ed also and those returning from the Wars.).

The US has treated it's veterans shabbily from the time they screwed the Revolutionary War vets out of their back pay, through the forseeable future, and every day in between.

ANY war veteran should be GUARATEED a good standard of living for the rest of their lives, PERIOD.

Hear, hear!!!

Both men and women homeless vets can be assisted at very low cost and quickly. For example: Fort Wayne, Indiana vet hospital has some land which may have housing built on it for homeless vets. Being debated.

Meanwhile, the northern half of Indiana has 10% vacant homes per US census. Therefore, those which are within current building codes could be purchased at 50% market from freddie and sold as VA, zero down, to the homeless vets AND those returning from the middle east.

I think some white house czar could write up the prescription, have the prez sign the exec order and move off the dime within 4 weeks.

Sure, there will be some failures, especially among those having the nightmares. But, having a good home may also help alleviate nightmares.

22 million vets, 6 million combat vets, 1 million with nightmares. Please feel free to listen carefully to any vet who trusts you enough to confide in you. If you sense the person is in real deep sadness, do not be afraid to phone VA for immediate help.

I agree and its time that this government really do for us and not EVERY TOM, DICK.AND HARRY.

Obviously he cares more about (N)Obama than the homeless shattered vets who fought for his right to complain. That's how the right wing destroys reason.

Hmmm...Obama, he's the President that got Osama Bin Ladin after 8 years of Bush doing squat?He's the guy that's bringing Americans home from George Bush's wars over the protestations of the Republiclown legislators right? And wasn't it the Republiclowns during Dubya's years that voted to strip funding from the VA and veterans help organizations leaving them to beg for money? Yes, by God it was them. And now somehow the GOP 'base' have been told that Obama is a 'war lover' and they fall for that like sheep? What are they gonna do when Obama wins again? Go out and buy more guns? Funny stuff.

Has any one else noticed that the only candidate who is a veteran is also the only candidate who would just flat stop the wars and bring the troops home?

it sure looks like the choices were going to have for president is going to be romney,a wall street insider paying a whole 15 percent in tax,yeah he will do a great job for the whole country.or newt a degenerate philanderer who helped make the housing crisis with his support of freddy mac and fannie mae.or better yet or current president who during his speech tonight made it clear hes all to well aware of the destructive nature of his unfair trade practices ???[against america???] and the outsourcing they cause,but does them anyway.and this is the best america can field?crap!

Try it. Go through the experience. Find out what it's like to give something of yourself. Make a contribution. Then you might understand a little bit of what service and duty is all about. It's not about you. It's about us.

We joined because we wanted to do something for our country. We "asked not what our country could do for us". Why should it only be the men of any nation who get the burden of this responsibility, we're citizens too, and as such, we owe something back as well, even if we are, in many ways, still treated as second class citizens. We're trying to change that attitude as well...

To serve their country rather than suckle from the teat for free as so many do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will also stand up again when the next American Revolution arrives.....

John-3222051,

a. Some of us answered our Nation's Call., b. Some of us were Drafted and stayed in realizing what a big bad World the Real World is., c. Some of us were Drafted then returned as US Military Officers after College believing that we could change the US Military while still knowing from Experience just how bad the Real World really is. d. Some of us were continuely Recalled to Active Duty due to our Real World expertise and knowledge. I am a combination of a., b., c., d..

I just heard parts of President Obama's State of the Union Address 2012 via the internet, he has flat out stated the decision must be made Strong US Military and treatment of US Military Veterans OR Medicare, Medicaid, etc.. That says it all about President Obama.

As a disabled and widowed retired vet with 2 children I would say DO NOT JOIN. The pay and benefits are not worth giving your life or health. You and your family will not be fairly compensated. (ie: retirement and disability pay = $12,000 a year, try paying medical and dental premiums, co pays, and raise 2 kids on that) Look at the pay and benefit packages that state and federal employees, like police officers have. That will tell you real quick that your government and your country do not appreciate the sacrafices you make.

And who are you fighting for? To enrich the 1% so they can pick at the financial bones of your family, friends and neighbors.

Let them bring the draft back. See how the ultra rich squirm and weazel their way out of putting their precious, ivy league bound children in harms way for their country.

joining the military gave me the honor of defending my country. in return for serving my country, i received a trade that helped me get a job once my duty was up. what you do while serving is up to you. if you don't take advantage of the opportunities offered to you it is entirely your fault. no where is it written that you'll be set for life once you join the military.

You did your 4 years, got lucky and got out. Congrats. Try doing 20 years. Think of having a disability solely because of your duty. Think of not being able to work. Try having your husband killed on active duty leaving you with 2 children. I have already exceeded my doctors estimates of my life expectancy. When I die my children will be utterly orphaned. My husband gave the ultimate sacrafice, I am sacraficing half of my life and the well being of my children. Getting through each month financially and emotionally is a struggle. How many physical and emotional scars mark you? What did you lose?

The words I would like to say to you are unprintable. But I will say you are a selfish, unthinking jerk. All my fault? Yeah, for being loyal, hard working and serving my country.

I couldn't begin to understand the sacrifices you've made yourself for this ungrateful nation, and while I wouldn't completely agree with 21railroader's views about it being completely up to you on what you do in your time in the military (obviously it's not completely up to you) just because he did his 4 years and got a job and benefits out of it doesn't make him selfish, that's like saying a person who works for a living and expects money in return for his/her hard work in order to support himself and or his family is selfish.. I myself did my 4 years in active duty and am now going back to school on the GI bill, but just because I didn't stay the whole 20 years doesn't make me selfish, and I do have great respect and admiration for those who do 20 years because it is not easy.

I didn't even think about it. All the men in my family have always joined up.

paramed, NO ONE said life would be easy. Some people are lucky and some are not, some make it happen and some wonder what happened.

You say that you would not join up again, yet you stayed 20 years? This does not compute. For 20 years ALL you had to focus on was your job as the military just about took care of everything else. AND IF your husband was active duty, you were double dipping. Yup, you guys were making damn good money and when he died, you probably got between 250 and 500 thousand dollars.

If you blew your pay and now are poor, that is on you and should not be on the country to support you further UNLESS you were injured and then the VA will compensate you. Also not an easy task to get money from the VA, but again, who said life was supposed to be easy?

BUT then again, what you wrote makes me wonder if you really are a vet. A retired E6 gets more than a thousand dollars a month in retirement...so that number is fishy. You say your husband died on active duty? Then you have his benefits AT LEAST until your kids are adults. You say that you are disabled? The VA will also give you extra money on top of your retirement IF you prove that you have a service connected disability.

NO..I REJECT what you are writing as it just does not add up.

I served in Combat Arms for 21 years and I know a little about how vets are treated and again, YOU NEED TO GET OFF YOUR ASS and make it happen. No one said it was going to be easy and maybe that is your problem. You want it all and you want it easy....but again, what you wrote doesn't add up, so I really question if you were in the military for 20 years.

When my husband died the death benefit was 200K. Half of that was put on the house we still live in and the other half is put away for the childrens education. I spent 20 years and am fully retired. I have a service connected disability- but if you knew ANYTHING about how that works you would know that the government REDUCES your retired pay by the amount of disability recieved. ie: If you get $1,000. a month and your disability pay is $400, then your retired pay automatically becomes $600 so that you do not make more than your original retirement pay. So YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. My retired pay is 694. a month and my disability is 443, so I was off a bit- I make 13K ayear. And I wonder what exactly am I supposed to get off my ass to do? I have applied and am fighting the system to have my disability rating increased. They will most likely approve it after I am dead.

You are a loud mouthed, know it all buffoon. Since you don't seem to know jack about retired pay, disability and death benefits I reject your assinine opinion and seriously doubt YOU were in the military.

You are lucky you have it easy. You could be in my shoes and preparing your children to be orphans. But it didnt happen to you, so like an awful lot of others, you don't give a crap. That is why I say don't join. I worked very hard to be top in my field, for example- was chosen to be on NASA space shuttle recovery team, was also one of the 1st women with a special forces NEC. I never knew how badly my government would lie and treat me.

God I'd love to see a homeless Bill O'Reilley.

i think you lie cause bill o'riley would never say such a dam thing like that.

You can blame religious organizations for those Somalian immigrant's they are the ones involved they are sponsoring them.

Quiet fatty and move out of your parents basement.

kach- As you don't seem to be a vet, try it first, then post. You INSULT EVERY VET. Too bad you didn't study history BEFORE you stated " probable a large percentage of discharged military have historically been homeless"

That wasn't kachiuma talking, it was his azz. He's a smart dumbazz.

reg, i was serving in the navy . when women started complaining that they wanted equal treatment so that they would have the same opportunities as men for advancement. well they got their wish. although i may not believe that women should be sent into combat zones, they asked for the chance.

I'm not sure where the women were serving really comes into it. They could have been serving as nurses, working in administration, intelligence,etc. I got the impression the main thrust of the article is that a great many of our vets are facing difficulties like homelessness when they return and for years after. It's more of a clarion call to attend this issue,whether these vets are male or female.

All recruits into the military are processed through the Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS). A doctor examines each recruit, both physically and mentally. Those not fit for duty in the military are not allowed to enlist.

You have some good ideas.

I served in the US Navy for 20 years, did 3 tours in the middle east, and then retired. I ranked in the top 10 percent in the military, was decorated for action during Desert Storm, and was the top sailor at every command. The first time I made a mistake in the civilian world, I was lucky not to end up in prison - in fact, my military service was ridiculed by the district attorney's office. Oh well.....

I also have often thought about all the empty buildings as being used for group homes for female veterans...espeacially with children or extended families...there are so many in my area and yet no-one does anything and when I approach the subject no-one wants to talk about it, their answers are shameful...crime will increase, prostitution, sucicides, its a bank thing...or my favorite no money-no-time...I think they should stand back a few feet and look at the big picture, they will have that if they don't help or worse, I don't know whats worse but Im sure there is a worse...I heard on the news today that gymnasiums that aren't in use will become homeless shelters, well bravo its a beginning but why not take it further, a home that cant be sold lease it to veterens, a fixerupper...a woman can make a home out of anything if they let her, a kitchen, bathroom and she can begin to heal, throw friends into the mix and you will see a real improvement...whats wrong with that, homeless women veterans is shamefull, ptsd with that and a pre-condition of abuse needs nurturing...truely. lets take this into concideration the next time there's a war or bring back the draft and let the rich worry about their women, the aunts, sisters, moms, and wives that will have to serve if drafted...then worry about homes and care when they return damaged and broken inside and out...this is the United States...United...get it, Lets Unite on this cause, lets bring the military to the banks and the veterans to them...lets help as a country as people helping people...I have read awful things here tonite, terrible awful, things that dont even have anything to do with the subject at hand Homeless Women Veterans, some were viable comments, but others, well you should be ashamed...as I've said someperson somewhere has to know how to initiate this, think about it and try, please try...well, that's it for me tonite...gotta go.

ark,

rummy and gates cannot find about 1 trillion that they spent in the middle east!! The research budget alone can stand up to a 70% cut and we will not miss a beat in defense. The 'toys' we design, build and deploy are often inferior and do not help the mission.

The combat engineers robots!! 4 men from here died in afghan two and a half weeks ago. musta been a large under road charge. They drove after the robot said clear.

Strongly urge we need devices to detect battery ergs from buried cell phones, Or blocking signals on cell phone wave lengths before us and beside us as we drive.

Or ultra sophisticated depth radar / ultrasound that can show material discrepancy ahead of us.

Once we know where the bugger is, we can whack it for about $25.00

We can defend ourselves and all of North America for about 300 billion per year WITHOUT mass military layoffs - except within the pentagon. Also, many foreign so called bases are our listening posts which must be retained. Many have just a few Americans there.

Yakee, it doesn't make sense doesn't it. ALL of our political leaders fervently support vets. but they never follow through with it. It makes no sense.

Yakee... you speak the truth. Your scenario and the plight of thousands of vets, both female and male, should have every state and federal politician hanging their heads in shame. How dare we as a country spend tax dollars for illegals in health care, housing, grants for starting a business, etc, BEFORE we make sure every veteran gets the help they need, because they DESERVE our support during service and after.