Sharing veteran stories is a powerful way to connect with and support the men and women who have served our country. But simply recording a story isn’t enough. As professionals, we need to ensure these narratives are handled with respect, sensitivity, and an understanding of the unique challenges veterans face. Are you ready to make a real difference in how we honor our veterans?
Key Takeaways
- Always obtain informed consent from the veteran before recording or sharing their story, clearly outlining how the story will be used and who will have access to it.
- Be prepared to offer mental health resources and support, as sharing traumatic experiences can be triggering for some veterans.
- Focus on authentic storytelling, allowing the veteran to lead the narrative and avoiding imposing your own interpretations or biases.
1. Obtain Informed Consent
This is non-negotiable. Before you even think about turning on a microphone, you need to have a clear conversation with the veteran about the project. Explain exactly how their veteran stories will be used. Will it be on a public website? In a private archive? Shared with family? The more transparent you are, the more trust you build.
Use a written consent form. I recommend using a service like DocuSign to streamline the process. Clearly state the purpose of the recording, who will have access, and how long the recording will be stored. Include a clause that allows the veteran to withdraw their consent at any time. It sounds simple, but I’ve seen projects derailed because this wasn’t handled properly.
Pro Tip: Don’t just hand the veteran a form. Sit down with them and explain each section, answering any questions they have. Make sure they understand their rights.
2. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
Sharing personal veteran stories, especially those involving combat or trauma, can be incredibly difficult. It’s your job to create a space where the veteran feels safe, respected, and empowered. This starts with your demeanor. Be calm, patient, and attentive. Listen more than you talk. Avoid interrupting or challenging their narrative. Let them set the pace.
Before the interview, explain that they are in control. They can stop at any time, skip questions, or request to edit the recording afterward. Have a list of mental health resources readily available. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wealth of resources, including the Veterans Crisis Line, which can be reached at 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Be prepared to share these resources if the veteran becomes distressed. A SAMHSA report emphasizes the importance of readily available mental health support for veterans sharing their experiences.
Common Mistake: Pushing a veteran to share details they are not comfortable with. Remember, it’s their story, and they have the right to control how it’s told.
3. Use Trauma-Informed Interview Techniques
Trauma-informed interviewing is a specific approach designed to minimize the risk of re-traumatization. It emphasizes safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Avoid asking leading questions or framing questions in a way that suggests a particular answer. Instead, use open-ended questions that allow the veteran to share their experience in their own words. For instance, instead of asking “Were you scared during the battle?”, ask “What was that experience like for you?”.
Be mindful of your body language. Maintain eye contact, nod to show you’re listening, and avoid fidgeting or distractions. Offer breaks as needed. It’s okay to pause the interview and give the veteran time to collect their thoughts. Consider using a tool like Otter.ai to transcribe the interview in real-time. This can help you stay focused on the veteran’s story without having to constantly take notes. However, ALWAYS inform the veteran you are using transcription software.
4. Focus on Authentic Storytelling
The goal is to capture the veteran’s authentic voice and experience. Avoid imposing your own interpretations or biases on their story. Let them lead the narrative. Ask follow-up questions to clarify details or explore specific themes, but don’t try to steer the conversation in a particular direction. Encourage them to share specific memories, emotions, and reflections.
I had a client last year who wanted to create a series of veteran stories for their company’s website. They initially planned to structure the interviews around a set of pre-determined themes. However, after speaking with several veterans, we realized that this approach felt artificial and limiting. We switched to a more open-ended format, allowing the veterans to share their stories in their own way. The result was a much more powerful and authentic collection of narratives.
Pro Tip: Ask about seemingly mundane details. What did they eat for breakfast? What kind of music did they listen to? These small details can bring the story to life and make it more relatable.
5. Respect Confidentiality and Privacy
Veterans may share sensitive information during the interview, including details about their military service, personal relationships, or mental health. It’s your responsibility to protect their confidentiality and privacy. Only share the recording with individuals who have been authorized by the veteran. Store the recording in a secure location, and be mindful of data security protocols.
Before publishing or sharing any veteran stories, review the content with the veteran to ensure they are comfortable with it. Give them the opportunity to make any edits or deletions they deem necessary. Consider using a secure file-sharing service like Box to transmit the recording and any related documents. A report by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) details best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. For more on this, consider ensuring we are truly listening to veterans.
6. Offer Resources and Support After the Interview
The process of sharing their story can be emotionally taxing for veterans. It’s important to provide ongoing support and resources after the interview is complete. Check in with them regularly to see how they are doing. Offer to connect them with mental health professionals or other support services. Let them know that you are available to listen if they need to talk.
Here’s what nobody tells you: sometimes, the hardest part is after the story is told. I know a veteran in Marietta who participated in a storytelling project about his time in Iraq. While he felt good about sharing his experience initially, he experienced a wave of anxiety and depression in the weeks that followed. Fortunately, the organization running the project had a robust support system in place, which helped him navigate these challenges. The VA’s Vet Center program offers counseling and support services to veterans and their families. You can find a Vet Center near you by visiting the VA website.
Common Mistake: Assuming that the veteran is “fine” after the interview. Be proactive in offering support and resources.
7. Properly Archive and Preserve Veteran Stories
Once you’ve recorded a veteran’s story, it’s crucial to preserve it for future generations. This means creating a proper archive, both physical and digital. For physical materials, use acid-free paper and archival-quality storage containers. For digital recordings, create multiple backups and store them in different locations. Consider using a cloud-based storage service like Amazon S3 Glacier for long-term archival storage.
Metadata is key. Document everything you know about the recording, including the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, date of the interview, and a brief summary of the story. Use a standardized metadata schema to ensure consistency and compatibility. The Library of Congress offers guidelines for digital preservation and metadata creation. You’ll need to think about file formats, too. Consider using non-proprietary formats like MP3 for audio and MP4 for video to ensure long-term accessibility.
8. Share Stories Responsibly and Ethically
When sharing veteran stories with a wider audience, do so responsibly and ethically. Avoid sensationalizing or exploiting their experiences. Focus on highlighting their resilience, courage, and contributions to our country. Always obtain the veteran’s explicit permission before sharing their story publicly. Be mindful of the potential impact on their privacy and security.
Consider the context in which the story is being shared. Is it for educational purposes? To raise awareness about a particular issue? To honor the veteran’s service? Make sure the purpose is clear and aligns with the veteran’s wishes. If you’re using the story for fundraising, be transparent about how the funds will be used. We ran into this exact issue at my previous firm. We were working with a non-profit that was using veteran stories to solicit donations. However, they weren’t clear about how much of the money was actually going to support veterans. This led to a public backlash and damaged the organization’s reputation. Don’t let that happen to you. In fact, you might want to check if veterans’ policies are being kept.
9. Case Study: The “Operation Homecoming” Project
Let’s look at a fictional, but realistic, case study. The “Operation Homecoming” project aimed to collect and share stories from veterans returning from deployment in 2028. The project, spearheaded by a small non-profit in Roswell, GA, focused on veterans transitioning back to civilian life. They recruited 50 veterans from the Atlanta metro area. Each veteran participated in a 2-hour interview, conducted by trained volunteers. The interviews were recorded using high-quality audio equipment and transcribed using Descript.
The project team then created a website featuring excerpts from the interviews, along with photos and biographical information about each veteran. They also partnered with local schools and community organizations to host public events where veterans could share their stories in person. The project used a phased rollout, starting with a private launch for the participating veterans and their families, followed by a public launch a month later. Over the course of a year, the website received over 10,000 visitors, and the live events reached over 500 people. The project received positive feedback from veterans, community members, and local media outlets.
One of the key success factors was the project’s commitment to ethical storytelling. They obtained informed consent from each veteran, provided ongoing support and resources, and shared the stories responsibly and respectfully. They also created a detailed archive of the interviews, ensuring that these valuable narratives would be preserved for future generations.
10. Stay Informed and Adapt Your Approach
The field of veteran support is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest research, best practices, and resources. Attend conferences, read articles, and network with other professionals in the field. Be willing to adapt your approach based on new information and feedback from veterans. What worked well five years ago may not be as effective today.
For example, there’s a growing awareness of the impact of moral injury on veterans. Moral injury is the distress that results from actions that violate one’s moral code. Traditional PTSD treatments may not be effective for moral injury, so it’s important to be aware of alternative approaches. The National Center for PTSD offers resources and training on moral injury. By staying informed and adapting your approach, you can ensure that you are providing the best possible support to veterans.
Sharing veteran stories is a privilege and a responsibility. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that these narratives are handled with respect, sensitivity, and integrity. The most impactful thing you can do right now? Make a commitment to listen more than you speak. You can start by understanding a citizen’s duty in unlocking veteran stories.
What if a veteran becomes distressed during the interview?
Stop the interview immediately. Offer support and resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line (988 then press 1, or text 838255). Let them know that it’s okay to take a break or end the interview altogether.
How do I ensure that I’m not exploiting a veteran’s story for personal gain?
Be transparent about your intentions and how the story will be used. Obtain informed consent and give the veteran control over the narrative. Avoid sensationalizing or exaggerating their experiences. Always prioritize their well-being and privacy.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with veterans?
Pushing them to share details they are not comfortable with, assuming they are “fine” after the interview, failing to obtain informed consent, and not providing adequate support and resources.
How can I find veterans who are willing to share their stories?
Connect with local veteran organizations, such as the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Reach out to military bases or veteran support groups in your area. Consider partnering with a local university or college to recruit student veterans.
What are the legal considerations when recording and sharing veteran stories?
Obtain informed consent and ensure compliance with privacy laws, such as HIPAA (if applicable). Be mindful of copyright laws and obtain permission before using any copyrighted materials. Consult with an attorney if you have any questions or concerns.
The most important thing to remember? Every veteran has a unique story to tell, and it’s our job to listen with respect and compassion. Start today by reaching out to a veteran in your community and offering to hear their story. You might be surprised by what you learn. It’s also important to consider if we are failing them financially.
