While serving as a Navy chaplain for seven years, I learned three things that I could apply in counseling with any person in any situation. These are also things you can do to help military service members and veterans in your community.

1. Listen. If you're privileged to gain an opportunity to listen to a soldier (Army), airman (Air Force), marine (Marines), sailor (Navy) or Coast Guardsman, take the time to do it. You may not understand everything he or she talks about. You probably won't be able to relate to their experiences, unless you've "been...