PEWAUKEE, Wis. — Transitioning out of the military and into civilian life can put a toll on mental health.
According to the most recent data from Veteran Affairs, there were 136 veteran suicides in Wisconsin in 2022 and suicide was the 12th leading cause of death for veterans in 2022.
What You Need To Know
- According to the most recent data from Veterans Affairs, there were 136 veteran suicides in Wisconsin in 2022 and suicide was the 12th leading cause of death for veterans in 2022
- Jeremy Lyon said the military experience runs deep and it can be difficult to transition out of the military
- He said it is important veterans know what resources are available or to at least find a sense of community when they exit the military
Jairo Javier enlisted in the Marines in 2014 when he was only 17-years-old.
“My uncle was a Marine. I idolized him as a kid growing up. So, I always had a desire to be a Marine, even though I did not fully understand what that fully entailed,” said Javier.
Javier served nine years total, six of which were active duty and three years in the reserves. He said he misses many things about it.
“The brotherhood, the comradery, the high stakes environment, just the intensity behind the job,” said Javier. “You don’t truly appreciate it until after you leave. At least that was my case.”
(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)
When Javier retired from the military, he had taken up skydiving as a sport to keep him busy.
Now, he says he spends a lot of his free time out on the water boating.
“Regardless of what background you have, getting out on a boat and coasting across the water or floating on the water is something that is a stress reliever,” said Javier.
Jeremy Lyon works for the division of veterans’ benefits at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.
He said the military experience runs deep and it can be difficult to transition out of the military.
(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)
“There’s that fundamental fact that you are now missing that fundamental mission you were a part of and missing that team and the comrades you had besides you,” said Lyon.
He said it is important veterans know what resources are available or to at least find a sense of community when they exit the military.
“I have heard of a number of veterans who go fishing, go boating, go horseback riding, these are all great experiences,” said Lyon. “They bring us together as a community, they give you a peer network of other veterans to talk to.”
While Javier said he found boating to be a good pastime, Lyon said veterans can also get involved with the American Legion or one of the other veterans’ groups in the community.
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