Thank You For Your Service

Schumann’s typical work day begins with him oversleeping, taking his meds, and begrudgingly heading to his cubicle at a call center. He searches for other jobs online while at work, but really doesn’t want to be anything, except the soldier he can never be again.

A coworker makes Schumann feel worse about himself. This veteran, Calvin, has PTSD, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and had 40% of his body burned while enlisted. He also has limited range of movement and hearing aids in both ears. He went through a wide range of emotions and ample rehabilitation, and has accepted his present situation. Calvin has to lay out all his clothes and everything else he needs for work. His memory and organization skills are so impaired he must have a precise routine to manage simple daily tasks. He wishes he could still be in the military, but knows he can’t.  

Finkel introduces the reader to General Peter Chiarelli, the US Army vice chief of staff. He is in Washington, DC, holding a press conference on the new suicide prevention program he’s spearheaded. 

Chiarelli feels a personal responsibility to help ease the stigma and improve the care available to veterans to deal with PTSD and brain injury, and to prevent the rising suicide rate.