chicago veterans speakers bureau
know before you go
Suicide is the number one cause of death for active-duty military personnel, not combat.
The enlistment agreement is not a contract. It’s a one-way agreement that is binding upon the recruit, but not binding upon the military. The military does not have to honor any promises made at the time of your enlistment contract that is a total of a eight year commitment.
https://centeronconscience.org/advice-to-those-considering-military-enlistment/
Post Traumatic Stress (PTS/PTSd) is much higher for veterans and active-duty military than civilians. PSTD can be an extremely disabling condition that many veterans struggle with their entire life.
Most recruiter are NOT teachers or counselors, but rather go through sales training for their positions. Recruiters are under great pressure to enlist a certain number of people each month.
https://centeronconscience.org/advice-to-those-considering-military-enlistment/
Since 9/11, 24% of women service members experienced sexual assault.
Women in the military face a higher risk of homicide than male soldiers. Between 2011 & 2025, 41 women in the Army died by homicide, more than half at the hands of other service members or veterans. Another 128 women died by suicide during the same time.
https://theintercept.com/2026/06/30/army-women-death-domestic-violence-sexual-assault/