Elana Duffy Archives - Task & Purpose

By Elana Duffy Aug 3, 2016

Community

What We Lose When We Give Away Purple Hearts

“Man,” Donald Trump said, as retired Lt. Col. Louis Dorfman handed him a Purple Heart medal on Aug. 2, 2016....

By Elana Duffy May 4, 2016

Support

How To Answer That Awful Question, ‘Do You Have PTSD?’

“Oh, you’re a veteran, huh? Do you have PTSD?” This question, asked often but most recently slurred from the mouth...

By Elana Duffy Dec 30, 2015

Support

Enough With The Outrage, It’s Time For Action

In an age of looming government shutdowns, defunding of health programs, and less than 5% of the living population of...

By Elana Duffy Dec 16, 2015

Humor

An Army Interrogator’s Tips For Picking Someone Up At A Bar

There’s an old saying: You can take the interrogator out of the military, but you will never take the interrogator...

By Elana Duffy Aug 28, 2015

Career

This Entrepreneurship Program Taught Me The Skills To Build A Better Future

“If you don’t apply for this, I don’t even know you anymore.” Sometimes when Marine veterans talk, I listen. This...

By Elana Duffy Jun 8, 2015

Health & Fitness

Here Are 5 Reasons To Exercise Even If You Don’t Want To

In December, the disaster recovery charity racing team Race2Rebuild partnered with nonprofit Team Red, White, & Blue in New York...

By Elana Duffy Jun 1, 2015

Family & Relationships

For Veteran Couples, Some Things Don’t Need To Be Said

I’m going to have a roommate here pretty soon, and it’s not a third cat. While I am somewhat notoriously...

By Elana Duffy Jan 28, 2015

Support

Hiring Managers Need To Stop Prioritizing Rank

Recently, a friend sent me a flier and invite for a program teaching critical skills to those veterans going through...

By Elana Duffy Dec 24, 2014

Support

How I Ended Up Sharing My War Stories With 200 Strangers

Back in the early Fall, my friend called and asked if I would do him a favor. He needed someone...

By Elana Duffy Oct 24, 2014

Community

What Does The Term “Transition” Really Mean Anyway?

Transition. It's a funny word, especially when it comes to the military-to-civilian move that all of us must eventually make....

By Elana Duffy Sep 16, 2014

Community

Are Veterans Too Rigid In New Relationships?

In April, I wrote an article for Task & Purpose on why I am so difficult to date, and why...

By Elana Duffy Aug 20, 2014

Community

Why I’m Appealing My VA Disability Rating

Once upon a time, in a faraway desert, I carried way too much weight for way too many days. I...

By Elana Duffy Jul 23, 2014

Community

Here Is What A Routine Trip To The VA Hospital In NYC Is Like For One Veteran

Robert McDonald, the former Procter & Gamble chief executive, has been nominated to run the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs....

By Elana Duffy Jun 18, 2014

Career

Real Leadership Does Not Come From Followership

The next time some civilian says the word “followership,” or any strange perversion of verbiage thereof, I am going to...

By Elana Duffy Jun 12, 2014

News

Nobody Expects The Iraqi Inquisition

It hasn’t been a great week in the world, so I’ve gone on a rant. Recently, insurgents overran a couple...

By Elana Duffy Jun 4, 2014

Community

The Dangerous Black Hole Awaiting Veterans

I used to want to be an astronaut. No, that’s not a fair statement. I still want to be an...

By Elana Duffy Apr 29, 2014

Community

‘You’re Not The Easiest Person To Date, Are You?’ One Vet Shares Her Thoughts On Why Dating Is So Hard

We talk a lot about military transition. We talk about how hard it is to come home, to find a...

Elana Duffy

News

Featured in Elana Duffy

What We Lose When We Give Away Purple Hearts

How To Answer That Awful Question, ‘Do You Have PTSD?’

Enough With The Outrage, It’s Time For Action

An Army Interrogator’s Tips For Picking Someone Up At A Bar

This Entrepreneurship Program Taught Me The Skills To Build A Better Future

Here Are 5 Reasons To Exercise Even If You Don’t Want To

For Veteran Couples, Some Things Don’t Need To Be Said

Hiring Managers Need To Stop Prioritizing Rank

How I Ended Up Sharing My War Stories With 200 Strangers

What Does The Term “Transition” Really Mean Anyway?

Are Veterans Too Rigid In New Relationships?

Why I’m Appealing My VA Disability Rating

Here Is What A Routine Trip To The VA Hospital In NYC Is Like For One Veteran

Real Leadership Does Not Come From Followership

Nobody Expects The Iraqi Inquisition

The Dangerous Black Hole Awaiting Veterans

‘You’re Not The Easiest Person To Date, Are You?’ One Vet Shares Her Thoughts On Why Dating Is So Hard