Marine Finds Unlikely Reinforcements Online: Nerds

John Hodgman was right. It’s the revenge of the nerds in America right now. These past few years we’ve seen self-proclaimed, highly-influential nerds using the power of online technology to play a huge role in driving public policy, political campaigns and organizing grassroots engagement. In the 2008 presidential campaign both McCain and Obama harnessed the power of new media to address voters, raise millions and rally their supporters.  And just in the last two weeks, Twitter is revolutionizing the way protests are coordinated and communicated in Iran.

But social networking isn’t just for electoral battles.  It’s transforming the way communities organize for the public good. And now, nerds -- and I say that with the utmost respect -- are changing the lives of thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Case in point, Rey Leal, an Iraq veteran, found his community online and began his journey home from war:

Rey served in Fallujah during some of the heaviest fighting, earning a Bronze Star with valor as a Private First Class, an almost unheard of accomplishment for a Marine of his rank. When he was discharged in February 2008, Rey looked forward to returning to Texas to begin a new chapter with his wife and infant son.  Unfortunately, Rey’s transition home from combat was far from easy.  He struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and spent months trying to deal with his symptoms, including severe depression and insomnia. His marriage at a breaking point, Rey sought treatment. 

Yet, instead of having resources at his fingertips, his closest VA hospital was over five hours away. And at his nearest outpatient clinic, there was just one psychologist, taking appointments only two days a week. It wasn’t until Rey saw IAVA’s “Alone” Public Service Announcement on TV that his transitional journey began.

He decided to check out the website, CommunityofVeterans.org—a social network exclusively for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The first of its kind, the website is the linchpin of a new national outreach campaign to ease the transition for vets returning home from combat.

Immediately, Rey found a community on CommunityofVeterans.org. Thousands of other veterans were inside.  For the first time since returning home, Rey started to feel like he wasn’t operating in a silo with unique issues, but could share them with his peers, many of whom were all tackling the same issues he was.

According to Rey, "“I honestly didn’t find help until I learned of IAVA and Community of Veterans.  This made me realize that I wasn’t alone in my struggle.  I felt I could talk to these strangers about my problems on COV and for some reason they wouldn’t judge me.  I knew they understood.”"

Rey told his story to other veterans through IAVA’s social networking tools and yesterday, I shared his journey with a much wider audience -- again with a little help from technology. I was at the Personal Democracy Forum (PdF) in New York City to present IAVA’s groundbreaking new social networking site with Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark and Ning CEO Gina Bianchini. For those of you who don’t know, the PdF is the world's largest conference on technology and politics. Everyone from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Ana Marie Cox have come together to explore how technology is transforming politics, democracy and society.

But Communityofveterans.org isn’t just a tech phenomenon—it’s a movement that is literally saving lives. And for that, we have online technology (and countless nerds) to thank.

Crossposted at IAVA.org

Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff

Comments

[Vajara]

We need more vets like you Paul to support our troops. Way too quiet with our news media as they seem to support the war contractors, Big Pharmas and Big Petroleum while having few correspondents reporting on these wars without clear missions. Thank you for your advocacy...seems Congress has forgotten our troops and only think they are doing something worthwhile by passing funding bills that keep these wars going, and going and goingwith no end insight.

Again, you are the Tops!!!!

[itolduso]

Paul- I often deal will individuals & organizations that work to help those that are struggling with homelessness, domestic violence, & P.T.S.D.'s... I am constantly humbled by their efforts.... but you are absolutely the most amazing, energizing, effective and organized advocate I have ever seen! At a time when only 1% of our population is shouldering the burdens of two wars, the challenges facing our troops & their families can seem overwhelming and impossible (not to mention INVISIBLE to the rest of the country thanks to the failure of the msm) but your efforts and the online community that brings these vets together is doing an amazing job of getting the word out- I see links to IAVA everywhere - and your efforts in Congress are very effective. God bless you.

[SiberianRat]

I completely agree.

[DrJulienArbor]

I don't know which is worse... Nerd or M'am.

Anyway...

http://www.curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1447959#i

http://www.curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1447968#i

[oldGunny]

As a Vet I would like to thank all who have posted words of support.

Semper Fidelis,
Gunny

[ThinkCreeps]

It's good that your guy found an online community to help. Without this there may have been a gruesome ending.

However, this in no way excuses the lack of care taken by his service prior to discharge, to ensure that his needs were assessed correctly and that appropriate resources assigned to help. If this happens to the decorated, what about the average guy?

[sueno]

Bravo!!!
Excellent article.
Thanks to all the military for their service
and good luck to you all.

[Idiocracy]

Thank you for all your efforts. These are just kids...coming home from the horrors of war.
They need all the help they can get to become normal again..

Bless you.

[JoeSchmuk]

"nerds -- and I say that with the utmost respect"

You're a little behind the times. Nerd is no more a perjorative. It is a badge of distinction, worn by those who have earned the appelation. Might as well apologize for calling someone a marine, or a saint. Who do you think are gearing up to engage in the already escalating cyberwars?

But point taken. good article.

[hoodrat]

From Uncles/Cousins, to a father who served during WWII/Korea/VietNam (3x), whom I watched fight old battles in his sleep, "they're just boys" being an often traveled dream of his, cousins who can't live with their families, uncles who, on discharge went to GODs house. Friends who smile at you - with you knowing behind the eyes, noones home - left the building long ago, you can't help but think if they only had structure in place to decompress....... And what's all this "Nerd" stuff? There have always been techies that make stuff, and knuckledraggers like myself who gleefully break them! You get your props : ) Especially on this article, sometimes no matter where the voice comes from, is a difference maker in one's life. And what the kids been through, they deserve more than their predecessors received - they earned it. As usual, your heads on a swivel bro, good piece. Semper Fi

[We-Are-The-Ones]

This is so heartwarming. Thank you for sharing. Thanks for your continued hard work on behalf of our soldiers.

[fairandjust]

Great News. Thank you for all of the work of IAVA and CommunityofVeterans.org

[Mysticalsister]

Hi Paul! Thanks for all you do for our vets. Your erudite commentary and extraordinary commitment to the needs of your fellow service people is a true inspiration. I'd just like to know when you're either going to get your own show -- and/or run for office.

I'd happily support either endeavor.

Personally, I think of you as a "Vets nerd." (All you need to be a nerd is to have great knowledge about a subject you feel passionate about. That's you, Paul!)

[donchep]

Thanks for the article Paul. I hope people who say "support our troops" blindly remember that we need to support them after they come home too. SUPPORT OUR VETS!

[NicoloM]

Good on you, once again.

[Polly]

I also always try to read your posts - you are great on the Maddow show also. Very good Post!!