All Lives Matter is a Copout by Brandon Young I am not a racist. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the '80s and '90s. White people were the minority in my high school. Asians and Indians were the majority, and I was a member of the Asian Community Association. My Godchildren are Guatemalan Americans, my niece and brother-in-law are Afghan Americans, and I am an … [Read more...]
Remembering Our Fallen
Remembering Our Fallen by Brandon Young I remember them, all of them. Every day. I don’t live for them, I could never do this justice. I cannot hold myself to any expectations worthy of their sacrifice because I could never earn what they willingly gave. Nobody can. Nobody ever could. We cannot live for them. But we can live. “Greater love has no one than this, that … [Read more...]
“Give it Over to the Road”: Turning 37, Looking Back and Accepting Life
“Give it Over to the Road": Turning 37, Looking Back and Accepting Life By Brandon Young I shouldn’t even be here, but I am. This month I turn 37. It’s been a long 37 years. I have learned much, the first of which is that I have much to learn, but the second (and possibly most challenging) thing I’ve had to embrace is how to be alive. How to live with myself now. How … [Read more...]
Friendly Fire: A Ranger’s Perspective on Controversies that Maybe Shouldn’t be
Friendly Fire: A Ranger's Perspective on Controversies that Maybe Shouldn't be by Brandon Young Seen = killed. This was the objective of our entire marksmanship program when I served as a Special Operator in the 75th Ranger Regiment. “Seen” was the critical precursor to action; shoot the enemy combatants. Leave the non-combatants be. Some of us out there have forgotten … [Read more...]
Hope in the Hardship Around You: The Military Way
Hope in the Hardship Around You: The Military Way by Brandon Young Family is brought together by adversity, held together by choice. When people meet my wife, Kelly, and hear our story, they often ask, “how did you do it?” Her response is typical, “you just do, nobody plans for this; nobody really knows what they are getting into, but you just make do and help one … [Read more...]
Military Training Saved You in Combat but May Bury You in Life
Military Training Saved You in Combat but May Bury You in Life by Brandon Young Note: The heartbreaking truth is that I can’t save you. And you cannot save your brother or sister. We can speak up; we can walk with the voiceless. We can have the courage to be real, be seen and be heard. We can hear others without judgement. We can get help, trained professionals that can … [Read more...]
Isolation and Relationships after the Military: A Ranger Speaks
Isolation and Relationships after the Military: A Ranger Speaks by Brandon Young There are many numbers out there related to veterans that we become accustomed to seeing: 18.5% of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans experience the symptoms of depression and/or Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), 19.5% experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while in service, 2.6 million OEF/ OIF/ … [Read more...]
One Question Every Veteran Wants to Answer
One Question Every Veteran Wants to Answer by Brandon Young Civilians sincerely want to learn how to better approach veterans today in America, and the solution is far simpler than it appears at face value. Civilians can better understand the challenges and opportunities that veterans and military families face post service, including their experiences overseas, when we … [Read more...]
