Have You Ever Served In The Military?
One question can make a big difference…
Stand Up With Those Who Serve By:
- Support justice-involved veterans.
- Identifying legal challenges related to military service.
- Linking to effective military-veteran legal support resources.
Why Ask The Question:
Advocating for justice-involved Attorneys, paralegals, legal aid providers and other advocates encounter veterans, service members, and military family members, but they don't always know it. Veterans do not always identify themselves. They can be proud and stoic, and tend to be more comfortable helping others than asking for help themselves – even when they are in some kind of trouble or crisis. Military life can impact an individual's safety, finances, relationships, and opportunities. The best way to ensure service members and veterans get the representation they need is to ASK!
Ask The Question
When you encounter a new client, ask, "Have you or a family member ever served in the military?"
When The Answer Is "YES," you may consider thanking them for their service. You may also then be able to increase your understanding of the potential impact of military service on their current situation, and help them to identify veteran-specific programs, services, and benefits. Asking further questions will also help you to:
- Build rapport and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify any service-related legal or other stressors that may impact how best to pursue support and representation
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and referrals, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Explore sources of income and financial stability
- Identify any other areas in need of support, as well as individual and family supports and resources
- Address perceived barriers to seeking support and services
Read a vignette about how providers in Legal & Advocacy Services can make a big difference!
Following are some questions that could be asked in the context of gathering information for more effective referrals and services. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and show respect, curiosity, and empathy. Also be aware that responsiveness and effective follow-up are critical to building trust and rapport.
Portable Document Format (.pdf). Visit nh.gov for a list of free .pdf readers for a variety of operating systems.
- Build rapport with the parent and child and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
- Address perceived barriers to the child or parent(s) in seeking support
Provider Resources
Select your profession to see how:
