Finding Purpose After Service: Jenna Carlton's Journey to Helping Fellow Veterans
Jenna Carlton, founder of *The Millennial Veteran* and creator of the *Veteran Workbook*, knows all too well the struggles many veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. After her own time in service, Jenna found herself lost, struggling to find her identity and purpose outside the military. But instead of succumbing to these challenges, she turned her experiences into a platform that now helps countless veterans navigate the same difficulties she once faced.
The Struggles of Transitioning
The transition from military to civilian life is a critical and vulnerable time for veterans. Statistics reveal that 57% of first suicide attempts among veterans occur soon after they leave the service, with the first three months being the most perilous. The suicide rate among female veterans has seen a particularly alarming increase—24% compared to 6% among male veterans in 2021. The reasons for these struggles are many: trauma, loneliness, unemployment, and disabilities, all compounded by the abrupt shift from the structured life of the military to the unpredictability of civilian life.
For Jenna, like many others, this transition was filled with confusion and pain. She found herself grappling with her identity, unsure of where she fit in a world that now felt foreign. But instead of being consumed by these feelings, Jenna took her experiences and created a resource to help others who might be going through the same hardships.
The Silent Struggle of MST
One of the most harrowing aspects of Jenna's journey was dealing with military sexual trauma (MST). Her experience, like so many others, involved someone close to her—a person who manipulated her into believing that his actions were unintentional and would never happen again. The betrayal was deepened when she later discovered that this person had assaulted others before her.
MST is a pervasive issue within the military, with more than half of female rape victims reporting that they were assaulted by an intimate partner, and 40.8% by an acquaintance. For male victims, over half reported being assaulted by an acquaintance. The stigma surrounding sexual assault in the military is so severe that many survivors fear reporting their attackers, often due to the fear of retaliation or ruining the life of a fellow service member. This silence, however, only serves to protect the perpetrators and perpetuates the cycle of abuse.
The Need for Open Dialogue
Jenna emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence surrounding sexual assault in the military. Both men and women must feel empowered to speak out without fear of shame or retribution. By fostering an environment where these conversations can happen openly, we can begin to create meaningful change for future service members. Jenna's own journey through trauma and healing underscores the importance of seeking help and utilizing the resources available.
A Message of Hope and Healing
After her assault, Jenna struggled with her self-esteem and turned to alcohol as a way to cope. This destructive behavior led her to further trauma and only deepened her pain. But through her work with *The Millennial Veteran* and her *Veteran Workbook*, she reminds fellow survivors that help is out there. It's okay to feel lost, but it's also okay to ask for help. There is no shame in reaching out, no need to numb yourself or blame yourself. Healing and happiness are possible, and you deserve them.
Jenna Carlton's story is one of resilience and hope. By sharing her experiences and creating resources for other veterans, she has turned her pain into a powerful tool for change. Her message is clear: you are not alone, and with the right support, you can find your place and purpose again.
Follow Jenna on Instagram at [@themillennialveteran](https://www.instagram.com/themillennialveteran), and you can purchase her Veteran Workbook on Amazon. https://a.co/d/45NXZbj
If you are a veteran survivor of MST, or struggling with mental health reach out to the Veteran Crisis Hotline: Dial 988 and Press 1 or Text 838255. Or 800.656.HOPE (4673) for the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
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