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Survivor Corps Co-hosts Historic Summit on Reintegration of Service Members and Veterans
Jan 26, 2009
For the first time, community leaders from government, businesses, non-profit and veteran service organizations convened in Washington, DC on January 26-27 to collaboratively address the reintegration of service members and veterans as they return home to their families, communities, schools and jobs. Booz Allen Hamilton and The Veterans' Coalition hosted the historic summit with Survivor Corps.

Over one and a half million American service members have deployed in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Over thirty thousand have been physically wounded, with many more experiencing less visible, psychological wounds such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Recent reports suggest an increase in rates of suicide, substance abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence among service members and veterans. And with President Obama’s longstanding campaign pledge to bring home combat troops from Iraq within 16 months there is potential for a reverse serge on the horizon.

"We must recognize that it is our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure, not just that returning service members and veterans survive, but that they have every opportunity to thrive physically, psychologically, socially, and economically," says Jerry White, founder and Executive Director of Survivor Corps.

Through ten years of experience working with survivors of conflict, Survivor Corps has found that reintegration is a key factor in whether survivors successfully overcome the traumatic experiences of war.

Scott Quilty, U.S. Program Manger for Survivor Corps, is a U.S. Army Captain (Retired) who knows first hand about the challenge of recovering from the wounds of war after being severely injured by an improvised explosive device while on duty in Iraq.

“Reintegration didn’t occur for me as a result of orthopedic surgery or expert prosthetic care," Scott says. "It came through months of learning about myself, how I had changed from my experience… and by becoming a productive member of my community. Most importantly, I didn’t do it by myself, or with the help of any single organization."

"There are numerous organizations…many of which are represented in this room, who are doing what they can to improve the reintegration experience," Harry Walters, Chairman and President of the Veterans Coalition, said in his address to the Summit. "On the other hand, many of these very good intentions and best efforts are uncoordinated and can be confusing to those most needing assistance."

The Community Reintegration Summit marked the start of an ongoing, close collaboration between the numerous individuals and organizations addressing the reintegration issue. Leaders from all sectors will share experiences, knowledge and perspectives on an ongoing basis in order to improve the overall quality of services and support for returning troops, their families and their communities.

"We truly believe this will be the beginning of a new type of effort that will positively impact the reintegration of service members and veterans to an extent never seen before," said Jerry White.

Tags: Veterans' Coalition, service members, United States, Survivor Corps, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, U.S., war, PTSD, veterans, Booz Allen Hamilton, advocacy