VAntage Point Why I get my health care at VA: Brandon Brandon joined the Marine Corps in 2001 and later deployed to Iraq. When he came home, his family found him changed. His aunt said he told her later that he had thought about suicide. Brandon came to VA for help and later spoke to us about his experiences. Tell us about your deployment. What’s on your mind? There was an island in the Euphrates River. The intel was that there was enemy on this island and that they were shooting mortars from this island. You know you have your M16 slung, your magazines, you have your grenades. So you’re swimming with a full combat load. That morning, my swimming partner was Corporal Jeffrey Green.