The VA Combat Call Center, located outside of Denver, Colo., is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week referral service for Veterans, family members and anyone looking to help a Veteran. We also field calls from active-duty members and their family members seeking counseling services with Vet Centers across the country.
If they call, we can help.
When a Veteran calls us, they are talking to someone who not only cares, but who can also relate to them on a personal level as all of our staff members are either combat Veterans themselves or spouses of disabled Veterans. Whenever they pick up the phone, it could be a battle buddy, or the spouse of Veteran who was injured in combat like their spouse. We value that personal connection as a powerful tool in helping us provide great customer service and meeting the needs of each Veteran or family member who needs our help.
In addition to being able to relate and connect with callers, our staff members are also highly trained and possess the experience necessary to provide the right help or service to them. Several of our staff members are licensed mental health providers.
Josh Hanover
One of our readjustment counseling technicians, Josh Hanover, served two combat tours in Iraq before completing his education.
“This multifaceted role means a great deal to me, both personally and professionally,” said Hanover, “because I think we have a unique opportunity to make a difference for Veterans, the VA and ourselves. As VA employees, we battle perceptions every day. Given the recent challenges faced by VA in providing care to Veterans, our staffing model serves as the gold standard of what VA care should look like. [That includes] Veterans taking care of each other to overcome the obstacles faced during our time in the military, as well as what we now face in the private sector.
“Personally, I feel fortunate to be in a position where I can be available for fellow Veterans who are having difficulties, in spite of my own ongoing struggles. It’s a great feeling to be able to demonstrate to fellow Veterans, and not just tell them, ‘Hey friend, it’s going to get better. Let me share some of my experience with you. Let me help you get started on your own personal journey to healing.’ Peer support is a key element to healing. We’re here to do that.”
Our Combat Call Center staff members are subject matter experts on mental health based services offered by VA, such as: mental health/readjustment counseling, homeless programs, bereavement assistance, substance abuse and PTSD treatment options. They can also assist the Veteran looking for services such as the G.I. Bill and VA home loan guaranty. We routinely provide callers with information about various VA programs, as well as local programs, and instruct them on how to obtain copies of their DD-214s.
On occasion, we will receive a call from a Veteran who is thinking about taking his or her own life, or is obviously suffering from severe depression. Our folks are trained to recognize the symptoms and take steps to get Veterans the help they need. We have a strong working relationship with the Veterans Crisis Line. When our staff has a Veteran in crisis on the line, he or she can get a counselor from the Veterans Crisis Line on the call, introduce them and then warm transfer the caller to a licensed professional, uniquely qualified to deal with veterans in crisis.
The Combat Call Center is always available to assist our fellow Veterans. Give us a call at 1-877-WAR-VETS.
Tom McCabe is a Readjustment Counseling Therapist at the RCS Combat Call Center in Lakewood, Co. He was came aboard as a supervisor at its inception in April 2009 and has served as the manager since August 2013. Prior to joining the VA, Tom was a Counseling Psychologist at the Army hospital at Fort Campbell KY. He served 25 ½ years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 2004.
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. I received a Honorable Discharge in Aug 93. After many denials, I finally was awarded my claim for PTSD in Jan 2012. With the help from two congressmen and Vietnam Service Officer in Detroit. In the last two years after failed attempts in getting the right meds from the V.A. I’m getting worse. Specially waking up after nightmares and my lady that lives with me told me I hit her and I have no idea that I did anything. the list goes on. even chasing after a cop once he pulled me over for confronting a driver for my road rage. He did pull his weapon and I did not stop until I access that I knew and possess the situation on how I can maneuver my way to take control of the cop that was holding a firearm at me. my DD-214 is a disaster. But my combat was inside Kuwait before the ground war. I’ve lost all connection with my brothers and I want an increase in my Disability to 100% now I’m 80% Can you direct me in the right direction to obtain a good claim? please
All I know is many Vietnam vets, like me, always have and always will be [expletive deleted] over by the system. No matter how many organizations we start, veterans are left without the help they need. Many of us have begrudgingly walked away into isolation. It’s clear the VA wants to categorize veterans issues but that simplistic approach seems more geared to ensuring pseudo success for VA programs and leaves many individual veteran needs unaddressed. It’s [expletive deleted] sad what is happening to vets. Claims go unsettled for years while the VA just hopes guys will die. Homelessness because the very politicians who sent us to a political war don’t have the political courage to enact laws or funding to provide relief to vets for the mess they created. Instead we get a, “thank you for your service”. Pathetic. Editor’s note: While that word is often used to add emphasis to statements, it is not appropriate for use on this blog.
On behalf of Vantage Point, I “thank you for your service” Mr. Johnson. As Veterans and military spouses ourselves, we understand the sacrifices made by service members and their families. We know first-hand what it’s like to go to war or to kiss our spouse goodbye as they ship out to fight one. However, we do not know what it was like to be a Vietnam Veteran. For that, we thank you. We thank every Vietnam Veteran for bearing a burden that no patriot should ever have to bear. Your sacrifice ensured that generations of service members can serve with their heads held high. Never again will America’s warfighters have to endure the crass treatment from the very people they served. For that Mr. Johnson, I thank you for your service.
Why Dont BOB have a phone number? C so us veteran can call him what really happening at the va hospitals, clinics ,doctor offices, and nurses. ? I can’t get no help with my pain problem. The doc told she can’t see me until I have control of the burn nerve problem. Sorry the nerves go crazy I have no control. Can’t sleep at night. It nonstop past 4 hrs meds help, their gone. It been 8 months no help for pain. Ready to do something that will take care of it my self.
He does and it has been published by many news organizations. Try a simple Google search for it.