Thousands of veterans are returning from American engagements inIraq and Afghanistan, and their transition back to civilian lifehasn’t been easy. It’s been estimated that up to 20 percent of theU.S. force suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. But whilePTSD is a major issue facing veterans and gets a lot of attentionin the mass media, there’s a host of other issues veterans face asthey leave the military for civilian life.

And benefits brokers and agents across the country already havestarted to feel the impact. Some estimates state that half ofAmerican workplaces have a returning veteran or an employee with areturning veteran in their family on staff. So if the calls haven’tstarted, they’re bound to. And those calls will be calls forhelp.

Employee assistance programs saw a surge in requests from theirclients about veteran issues. And as forces continue to leave Iraqand soldiers return from extended tours in Afghanistan, EAPs arebracing for an even larger demand.