Most Veterans Remain Proud, but Disappointed With the Government

(NewsUSA) - If they had to do it all over, the vast majority of America's veterans would put on the uniform and serve again. But many veterans don't think the government treats them well, or that they are getting the benefits they deserve.

These are just two of the findings from The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Veterans Pulse Survey, a landmark survey that for the first time offers detailed insights into how America's 22 million veterans feel about topics ranging from their time in the military, challenges faced when transitioning to civilian life and their views on benefits.

Nationally representative of America's veterans, the survey was conducted by global research firm GfK for DAV, a nonprofit organization that helps more than 1 million veterans of all generations in life-changing ways each year.

"The DAV Veterans Pulse Survey shows that veterans of every generation are proud of their military service," says J. Marc Burgess, DAV National Adjutant and CEO.

Veterans believe their service had a positive impact on their life. In fact, 79 percent said they would "do it all over again." However, the survey findings also reveal that only 1 in 5 veterans feels the government treats them well.

Survey findings point to major gaps in the health care and disability benefits veterans receive.

Only 38 percent of veterans feel they had the support needed when re-entering civilian life. Veterans identify the challenges of daily living, such as employment, finances and housing, as the biggest hurdles they faced upon leaving the military.

Less than half, just 44 percent of veterans, report they have received the health, disability, financial and education benefits they were promised. And only 18 percent believe that veterans with disabling injuries have received the benefits they were promised.

In terms of health care, 87 percent of veterans agree that the federal government should provide a system dedicated to the needs of ill, injured and wounded veterans.

Younger veterans are much more likely to report that finding meaningful employment after leaving the military is difficult -- 36 percent say it was tough.

"The survey findings point to a number of steps we can take to ensure all veterans, whether they are 18 or 80, have every opportunity to achieve success," says Burgess. "Employers can hire veterans, elected officials can make sure all veterans can get quality health care and the benefits they have earned, and everyday Americans can volunteer or support one of the many organizations like DAV that are working to help veterans succeed."

Learn more at www.dav.org. To view the survey results, visit www.VeteransPulse.com.