"At that point in my life if VA couldn’t help me I knew I’d go home and die"

However, his story is about remarkable resilience and recovery, showcasing the power of support and personal resolve.

First ones in

Deet’s journey began shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. He was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the initial force, which took strategic locations like Kandahar International Airport and the town of Bagram with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC)).

Kandahar and Bagram were important as they functioned as operational hubs, enabling coalition forces to establish a foothold in the region. By capturing these points, enemy activities could be disrupted, facilitating more extensive relief and support missions. His deployment was intense, fast-paced and concluded in 90 days, but the experiences left a lasting effect

“Combat is hard. Every day, you’re out there making life-or-death decisions—it changes you,” said Deets. “You don’t just go through something like that and come out the same on the other side.”

The 26th MEU (SOC) was among the first U.S. forces into Afghanistan as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and Swift Freedom. 26th MEU (SOC) participated in the 450-mile seizure of Camp Rhino and Kandahar Airport and constructed a detainment facility that held more than 400 Taliban and Al Qaeda combatants.

The struggle back home

Returning home brought with it new conflict. 

“I had nine days from the day I got off the boat to the day I processed out of the Corps,” shared Deets. “It was a rough transition. I had no time to prepare for the civilian world and I was dealing with the aftereffects of a combat deployment.”

Often, when service members leave the military, they experience difficulty with a sense of identity, financial strain, employment, education barriers, relationship changes, mental and emotional wellness, and physical limitations as a result of their time in the military. These abrupt changes left Deets feeling isolated and without a sense of purpose. 

“I didn’t have the coping mechanisms, and I felt lost and disconnected from everything,” said Deets. “Unfortunately, I found them through substance use.” 

Finding hope in dark times

After a confrontation with his young daughter, who challenged him to be the father she needed, Deets decided to seek help. 

“About 8 years later, my daughter was 12 years old, at the time,” shared Deets. “She banged on the garage door, she came in, and looked me dead in the face and said, ‘When you’re done being a crackhead, maybe you can be my [expletive] father,’ and slammed the door.”

Deets checked himself into a VA treatment facility. This decision marked the beginning of his recovery.

“That moment shattered me,” shared Deets. “It was the wake-up call I needed. I walked out of that garage that day, went to VA Cheyenne and said, ‘Hey look, this is where I’m at. I need help. It’s today or never,’” said Deets. “At that point in my life, if VA couldn’t help me, I knew I’d go home and die.”

A new VA chapter

In Dec. 2016, Deets enrolled in VA Cheyenne’s Residential Rehabilitation Transition Program (RRTP). VA residential rehabilitation treatment, sometimes referred to as inpatient or domiciliary care, provides comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to Veterans with mental health conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance use disorders.

While in treatment, Deets started rebuilding his life through VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program. CWT is a VA comprehensive clinical vocational rehabilitation program that provides evidence-based and evidence-informed services. 

The mission of CWT is to help Veterans living with mental illness or physical impairments to gain job skills and find employment and offers ongoing support in the workplace. To be considered for CWT a Veteran must be eligible for VA health care, have a goal to return to work and have barriers to obtaining and staying employed.

Deets began with simple housekeeping tasks and gradually took on more responsibility. This role helped restore his sense of purpose and equipped him with skills he used to secure a permanent role at VA in Nov. 2023.

Family and future

Today, Deets’ life is vastly different. He enjoys the loving and supportive relationships with his family and said his marriage is stronger than ever. He also moved into a new role at Loveland VA Clinic.

“After I graduated from the program in 2017, I spent two years as a housekeeper, one as a purchasing agent, one as an inventory manager and in Nov. 2023, I got promoted to inventory management specialist supervisor,” said Deets. “This is the longest I’ve held a job since I left the Marine Corps.”

Reflecting on his journey

Deets shared his story for the first time to inspire other Veterans and let them know there is a path forward regardless of their struggles.

“I want Vets to see that there’s hope,” stated Deets. “I was beaten down in the streets, begging for my life. I want Vets to see you can get through any of that.”

VA Cheyenne Health Care System can help you overcome substance use problems, from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. Learn more about services and support at Mental Health Home (va.gov)

Jesus Flores is a writer & editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran