Indiana Budget Shows Veterans Low on the To-Do-List

Indiana veterans returning home face dearth of services 
Associated Press
September 4, 2015

"They wipe their hands of it and say 'Well, it's for the federal government to do' instead of being progressive and forward thinking." Retired Brig. Gen. James Bauerle

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana has a large number of veterans who are returning home as the Army thins its ranks and winds down overseas engagements, placing more demand on a network of veterans' services that is already stretched thin.

Unfortunately for Hoosiers coming home, local veterans advocates says Indiana lags far behind other states when it comes to getting services to those in need.

The problem may be particularly acute in Indiana. But Army Brig. Gen. Malcolm Frost says it's happening across the entire nation.

"It is a problem and there is a high demand," Frost said Friday in an interview with the Associated Press.

"That population is going to continue to depart the military for the next decade."

In addition to reducing its presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military is required to scale back as a result of cuts to the federal budget, drawing the number of soldiers down from 570,000 to perhaps as low as 420,000, Frost said.

That reduction will essentially give pink slips to many soldiers who have made a career out of repeat deployments. And as the number of veterans grows, so too will the need for services that help them transition back to civilian life, in areas from job training to medical care and counseling.

A 2014 report by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs found the state was deficient in 21 ways — both large and small — that hamper the delivery of services.

The report found that in 2013 the state spent $3.67 per veteran. Meanwhile, Texas spent $18.69, Missouri spent $15.97 and Alabama spent $29.40.

"Where is the governor's priority on taking care of veterans?" Bauerle said. "They wipe their hands of it and say 'Well, it's for the federal government to do' instead of being progressive and forward thinking." read more here