After the War Zone: A Practical Guide for Returning Troops and Their Families

This important work provides a broad array of information that will help returning soldiers, their loved ones, friends, and community to understand the challenges of reintegration to civilian life. It provides education and advice for neighbors, coworkers, employers, and service providers who assist returning vets and their families. Actually, the book is for anyone who wonders what to expect when a service member returns home from a war zone. It shows all of us how to help when the going gets tough (and it will). For those like me, who were personally affected by the Vietnam War and its aftermath, we know how vital understanding and support is for our latest generation of combat vets and their families. You'll find eye-opening facts on p.25, about Operation Enduring Freeedom/Operation Iraqi Freeedom. The authors point out that unlike the Vietnam War, when the draft meant that most Americans were directly affected by the conflict, the modern "all volunteer" military has left participating families feeling a sense of isolation from the rest of society. Another fact: The top two reasons returning troops seek care at VA Medical Centers are pain from musculoskeletal problems and mental health problems. This book addresses every aspect of reintegration one can imagine, such as anticipation of return, the post-deployment stage (honeymoon period) special issues for reservists and women soldiers, reactions of children, problems with PTSD, communication problems, what it's like to be a loved one left at home, issues for the extended family, the need for social support, separating myth from reality, finances, relationships, and much more. The Resource Section alone is worth the price of the book, plus there is an excellent index. Kudos to authors Laurie B. Slone, Ph.D. the Associate Director for Research and Education of the VA National Center for PTSD,and to Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD, the Executive Director of the VA National Center for PTSD and a Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmocology at Dartmouth Medical School. This book is broad in scope, and will change lives for the better. Very highly recommended!

Good read regarding "conflict areas."

This book contains all the necessary information to prepare for deployment, who does what, and how to re-adjust when coming home It is filled with resources of different agencies to notify and who and what help is available. It is geared for both the military person and his or her family.

Congratulations, you survived your deployment! The very Skills and Mindset you honed and sharpened will now get in the way of you returning to your normal home environment. This book is valuable resource for you, your family, and your community. It "tells it like it is" and how it has been for thousands of soldiers before you returning from the WAR ZONE or from supporting The WAR ZONE. I'm a Vietnam Veteran, who thought my return from combat would be a smooth transition. That was NOT the case! I was not prepared and neither was my family, my community nor my nation. By studying this book, we all can gain understanding of what is required of the returning individuals and what is required to support them through reintegration from Warrior to Good Citizen. After the War Zone: A Practical Guide for Returning Troops and Their Families

Very useful book, whether your the service member, spouse, family, or professional, it is packed with information and resource information. God bless our military families.

As a psychologist, this book is very good at describing the problems of both deployment and post-deployment for the spouse and the veteran alike. It is full of helpful resources specific for the military. I would recommend everyone with a loved one returning home read it.

I purchased this book when myhusband was deployed. I enjoyed this book because it showed both sides of deployments. The loved one who is deployed and the loved ones who stand by their side. I feel this book should be given to every family member before a deployment.

I bought it for a client