PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Richard Dawson, who enlisted in the US Army Reserve at 17, describes himself as a "former US Army Military Police officer transitioning from military life to civilian life" in his LinkedIn bio.
Dawson was greatly inspired by his father who was a correctional officer when it came to serving his country. He later joined the military as a police officer, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to AZCentral.
"It's not just about the law enforcement aspect of it. It's about the community," told Dawson to the publication.
Though his military life was dangerous and intense, he found his civilian life more challenging upon returning home. Later, the veteran managed to overcome those with the help of various organizations.
What challenges did Richard Dawson face while settling into civilian life?
Soon after moving in with his mother in Long Island, New York, Richard Dawson began to feel out of place as he didn't know anyone in the area. His mother became the only person he could confide in.
"So with that stress, with the depression, anxiety, not China, not able to find work. It all just started to pile on," explained the veteran, adding, "Yeah. And I needed a full kind of readjustment."
Deciding that he needed a change of scenery, Dawson moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with the help of a friend from the military.
He added, "I didn't have a change in my mindset yet. I carried that even over here to Phoenix. So things didn't pan out when I first moved out here."
Richard Dawson found help from the US VETS Inc
After being homeless and unemployed, the Phoenix Rescue Mission connected Richard Dawson with the nonprofit US VETS, which helped him find employment and gradually adapt to civilian life.
Dawson was hired by the organization in 2018 to assist people who are in a similar position as him. Working as a case manager, he helps veterans find employment, housing, and mental health resources.
"In my opinion, I'd rather wait for (the veterans) to open up. I'm not going to pressure them to poke and prod. I want to go at their pace," said the veteran.
He added, "Because what they're going through is not a race, and I tell almost all my veterans this: you're not going through a race and all this it's a marathon and you're kind of planning for your future."
Dawson still believes that the Department of Veterans Affairs has had considerable improvement and holds no resentment for being homeless after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"They've made drastic changes with working with veterans. I know there are a lot of past incidents here in Phoenix that have been readjusted. I don't have anything I would change right now," expressed Dawson.
