A fantastic article from NBCNews.com on from an Army Veteran with PTSD, Rob Ulrey – link here.

I couldn’t agree or said it better myself:

“The stigma [of PTSD] is so negative. I’ve heard time and time again from veterans: ‘I’m not getting the looks (from companies) that I should be getting. I’m not getting that second interview.’ I know some guys who are leaving stuff off their resumes or downplaying what they did during their time in the service so that it doesn’t trigger those kinds of questions (about mental health).

“You’re automatically tainted just because of your service, even if you don’t have PTSD at all,” Ulrey said.

It’s a sad state of affairs when companies are afraid of us. We lose out on opportunities because of fear and ignorance. Despite the obvious violation of Americans With Disabilities Act, hiring managers and HR professionals can oftentimes places us in a category of, “I just don’t know”…

It’s tough – PTSD wounds are invisible to the eye. Therefore, so many people sadly place more weight on the things the don’t know nor understand  about us than on the things that are clear and right in front of them: we’re battle tested leaders that can accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

I’m biased, but you’d be crazy not to hire or invest in us.

Well, the conversation is loud enough in the entrepreneurial community (and from non-veterans too!), that we need more veteran entrepreneurs.

So my message to fellow veterans that are this:

If you’re feeling poorly because the job market is kicking you down because of someone else’s irrational fear that we are all loose canons with, or without PTSD – we’re needed and wanted in the start-up community. Move beyond those frustrations and do what necessary to continue on with your mission. It’s not someone telling us no has ever stopped us before…