All veterans need our maximum support, especially those struggling with PTSD. One of the most robust predictors of reduced risk and positive outcome is social support. It is not widely appreciated among the people and audiences that I speak with that the United States has sent over 2 million men and women on more than 3 million tours to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Improved protective gear, vehicle armor, time to initial battlefield medical aid and rapid medical evacuation to high-quality facilities and treatment have saved many lives. However, many of the wounded, who now number nearly 32,000, face lifelong uncertainties around costly and disabling physical and psychological health injuries that often include PTSD and related issues. The families of those who have deployed are warriors in their own right and perhaps our greatest unsung American Heroes over these past nine years of prolonged conflict. They need our support too. They live the solemn life and values of a soldier and often without the Esprit, privilege, and personal satisfaction one feels when wearing the uniform. As communities we must support service members, veterans, and their families without regard to our feelings or political views about the war. For most of them their service to country has been the most important aspect of their lives, and a central part of their ongoing identity. They need, value, and want to feel the support of a grateful nation. Particularly for war veterans who are no longer in the military, support and connection often comes from fellow veterans and through membership in Veterans Service Organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Counseling and mental health services are more available than ever before through Wounded Warrior programs, VA (Veterans Affairs) Vet Centers, employee assistance programs such as Military OneSource, military Family Support Groups, TRICARE health insurance benefits, as well as the VA and DoD (Department of Defense) health systems and a myriad of smaller community-level support projects. At the personal level friends, families, and veterans are best advised to go slow with regard to transition from theater to home. Much has changed since you or your loved one first deployed. The level of energy, tension, and vigilance required in theater does not shut down overnight; for most the process can take 6 to 9 months. During that period most veterans experience short-term post-traumatic stress symptoms, but most symptoms do not develop into full-blown PTSD. For those whose friend or loved one develops combat-related PTSD or other war-related psychological health issues, you are not alone and there are resources available for you as well. Seek assistance for yourself and for your loved one early and often, particularly if there are any signs to suggest violent tendencies, suicidal thinking, escalating alcohol use, or drug problems. Many in the military fear that seeking mental-health assistance will harm their careers. However, when PTSD is the problem, treatment is the solution. Early assistance saves careers. Treatment works and saves lives.