I have noticed in recent months the increasing popularity of a ‘zero damns’ attitude in American society. While I get that it can be kind of funny to portray this attitude and persona, I don’t find it productive or beneficial to our community. I personally care a ton. Veteran suicide is at an all-time high: 22 veterans a day, and those are the just ones the VA is tracking.

The actual number is probably much higher. During these times, we need our community to rally together instead of not giving a crap about each other. Transitioning out of the military is difficult. There is more to it than getting a job, and those of us who have navigated those waters understand that.

Zero damns. No damns given. All out of give-a-damns. Imagine a world where this is true across the board: No one cares about each other, and we are all just doing our own thing. If this was true, we would not be able to cohabitate as human beings. As Homo sapiens, we are a tribal species and need to rally with and amongst each other. Why should we care about one another? Where is the line to give a damn?

Should we care about our friends that support us in bad times and even worse times? Should we care about the people who help us out when we are hitting low spots? It is a well-known fact that a negative mentality is a cancer. It spreads through a team or a community like a plague. A positive attitude and treating people with kindness and respect can be equally contagious.