Posted on Jun 25, 2015
Do You Buy This? A Unique form of Combat Stress for our Drone Pilots (Remotely Piloted Aircraft)???
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Obviously, despite my efforts not to.... I see the world, and DOD, from a ground Soldiers perspective. And, I suspect there is stress in all sorts of jobs.
I understand pilots (actual and remotely piloted aircraft - drones) have to face different dangers than I did, as well as live the the decisions they make and the damage and collateral damage of their strikes. But, I can't see this as a combat stress. And, I have never walked in those shoes either.
I did considerable research in grad school on shell shock, combat stress, combat related stress disorder, and the PTSD (the current term), and I am not sure I know enough about this new term, but I know when I read the article I actually laughed out loud... As, I just can't see this - feel this.
I know I lived by (shared a duplex) an F-15 pilot in Europe who would fly "Allied Force" Sorties and be back home each night... drinking... I know B2s fly from Whiteman and come back in a day... And, I know whenever I deployed, they were progressively longer... and conditions were not up to the standards my Air Force brothers consider adequate... Again, likely from my very jaded perspective is what probably made laugh out loud.
I also know I have PTSD, and TBI, and that I attended a lot of memorial ceremonies, presented a lot of Purple Hearts, and dealt with more than one incident of collateral damage.
So, help me understand... Because I want to understand this from the USAF perspective.
Claire McCaskill is my senator, and I actually sat in her office several times with my boss, and got scuffed up on issues in the Army and Fort Leonard Wood. She is a huge military advocate, and an unspoken watchdog and critic too.
But, again, I not seeing this one.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2015/06/24/sen-claire-mccaskill-wants-pentagon-to-address-new-form-of-combat-stress/29248023/
I understand pilots (actual and remotely piloted aircraft - drones) have to face different dangers than I did, as well as live the the decisions they make and the damage and collateral damage of their strikes. But, I can't see this as a combat stress. And, I have never walked in those shoes either.
I did considerable research in grad school on shell shock, combat stress, combat related stress disorder, and the PTSD (the current term), and I am not sure I know enough about this new term, but I know when I read the article I actually laughed out loud... As, I just can't see this - feel this.
I know I lived by (shared a duplex) an F-15 pilot in Europe who would fly "Allied Force" Sorties and be back home each night... drinking... I know B2s fly from Whiteman and come back in a day... And, I know whenever I deployed, they were progressively longer... and conditions were not up to the standards my Air Force brothers consider adequate... Again, likely from my very jaded perspective is what probably made laugh out loud.
I also know I have PTSD, and TBI, and that I attended a lot of memorial ceremonies, presented a lot of Purple Hearts, and dealt with more than one incident of collateral damage.
So, help me understand... Because I want to understand this from the USAF perspective.
Claire McCaskill is my senator, and I actually sat in her office several times with my boss, and got scuffed up on issues in the Army and Fort Leonard Wood. She is a huge military advocate, and an unspoken watchdog and critic too.
But, again, I not seeing this one.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2015/06/24/sen-claire-mccaskill-wants-pentagon-to-address-new-form-of-combat-stress/29248023/
PTSD
Combat Stress Control
Stress
Drones
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 45
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Sir,
I understand where you are coming from, but I had a buddy of mine who is a Corpsman (FMF, Combat Aircrew). He's now doing EMT for a North Carolina Fire Department, and recently did a few classes on PTS.
One of the things he ran into was the high instances of PTS in Dispatchers, in addition to the Responders. The Dispatchers aren't physically present at the scene, but they take the calls, hear what is going on, and are interacting with the people until the Responders arrive.
One of the "unique" issues they ran into is that they have no ability to affect the outcome of the situation. They are essentially in a "sit & wait" mode, while the events unfold, but they are "seeing" everything as it happens. There is a certain "helplessness" to the situation.
I'm not saying drone pilots are the same, but each person that interacts with continuous operations has a different level of stress. Control tower operators for flight ops tend to be wound a little tight. Dispatchers have a different kind of stress. Drone pilots have to switch from On to Off instantly, whereas ground operators have a different tempo.
I think this stress is more akin to our MP/Police brethren where they are interacting with the dregs of society during the day, and expected to act like everything is normal during the night. If we think about it like that, it makes a little more sense.
I understand where you are coming from, but I had a buddy of mine who is a Corpsman (FMF, Combat Aircrew). He's now doing EMT for a North Carolina Fire Department, and recently did a few classes on PTS.
One of the things he ran into was the high instances of PTS in Dispatchers, in addition to the Responders. The Dispatchers aren't physically present at the scene, but they take the calls, hear what is going on, and are interacting with the people until the Responders arrive.
One of the "unique" issues they ran into is that they have no ability to affect the outcome of the situation. They are essentially in a "sit & wait" mode, while the events unfold, but they are "seeing" everything as it happens. There is a certain "helplessness" to the situation.
I'm not saying drone pilots are the same, but each person that interacts with continuous operations has a different level of stress. Control tower operators for flight ops tend to be wound a little tight. Dispatchers have a different kind of stress. Drone pilots have to switch from On to Off instantly, whereas ground operators have a different tempo.
I think this stress is more akin to our MP/Police brethren where they are interacting with the dregs of society during the day, and expected to act like everything is normal during the night. If we think about it like that, it makes a little more sense.
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GySgt Curtis L Leetch
Sgt Aaron Kennedy! I think you NAILED that one!!! "Helplessness" (you can stop what is happening, or about to happen), you just try to get the proper assets in the proper places and pray "they" will make it right...
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Cpl George Randitsas Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) is normal. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is what is caused by PTS. Just because someone has PTS, doesn't mean they have PTSD.
If you are able to cope with your PTS, you may not have the associated disorder.
This is a overly simplified explanation.
If you are able to cope with your PTS, you may not have the associated disorder.
This is a overly simplified explanation.
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GySgt Curtis L Leetch
Sgt Aaron Kennedy and Cpl Randitsas, PTS is not uncommon, and is not exclusive to being in a war zone. A bad accident; fire in the home; or other sudden, serious, traumatic events can cause PTS.
Generally, the mind works through it, and rationalizes what has happened. Not that the afflicted person will ever forget it, but the mind had reconciled the event and it moves on.
The disorder (PTSD) comes when the mind, not the brain, is unable to reconcile the information satisfactorly, but refuses to let it go and move on (a sort of fixation... more or less). Sometimes there is no satisfactory answer for why something happens, but the brain can't let it go. The disruption/distraction this causes can negatively impact short term memory, mood and behavior.... translation: it degrades the ability of the person to function "normally".
A Good diet, exercise, an ipad / notepad / day planner, can help with the short term memory problems. If the problems are behavioral (excess drinking, temper issues, fighting, etc), tell your doctor what is going on....
If you start having thoughts of suicide or violent actions... Seek IMMEDIATE Medical assistance (i.e., your Doctor, Neurologist, Chaplin or other TRAINED care provider).
My Information Source:
Johns-Hopkins University Hospital (Neurology Department)
Prince William County Hospital (Neuro) and Gainesville Family Practice.
Generally, the mind works through it, and rationalizes what has happened. Not that the afflicted person will ever forget it, but the mind had reconciled the event and it moves on.
The disorder (PTSD) comes when the mind, not the brain, is unable to reconcile the information satisfactorly, but refuses to let it go and move on (a sort of fixation... more or less). Sometimes there is no satisfactory answer for why something happens, but the brain can't let it go. The disruption/distraction this causes can negatively impact short term memory, mood and behavior.... translation: it degrades the ability of the person to function "normally".
A Good diet, exercise, an ipad / notepad / day planner, can help with the short term memory problems. If the problems are behavioral (excess drinking, temper issues, fighting, etc), tell your doctor what is going on....
If you start having thoughts of suicide or violent actions... Seek IMMEDIATE Medical assistance (i.e., your Doctor, Neurologist, Chaplin or other TRAINED care provider).
My Information Source:
Johns-Hopkins University Hospital (Neurology Department)
Prince William County Hospital (Neuro) and Gainesville Family Practice.
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I firmly believe adrenaline over a long period of time changes the constitution of the brain. It sounds like their optempo is high and their missions are complex. We can add another perspective: they kill people.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
Your welcome sir. I have PTSD as well and wrote an 8 page therapy paper which gives me a lot of perspective, I can email it to you if you wish. I agree with you. I have been wanting to discuss American COIN vs British COIN but my mind is not up to all the busy thoughts.
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All of our stress levels differ, I have the patience of a farm animal, but not everyone is as dull as I am.
Do I think that drone pilots face stress ? Yes I do, anyone who has been tasked with a mission is stressed to some degree. Pilot A might be extremely stressed due to his makeup while Pilot B faces no stress at all. It may have to do with self-confidence.
The issue of PTSD isn't as cut and dry to me. I am going out on a limb here, but other than flying requirements, blowing people up in a manned aircraft and blowing people up from Las Vegas is still blowing people up.
Some just can't take that stress.
.
Do I think that drone pilots face stress ? Yes I do, anyone who has been tasked with a mission is stressed to some degree. Pilot A might be extremely stressed due to his makeup while Pilot B faces no stress at all. It may have to do with self-confidence.
The issue of PTSD isn't as cut and dry to me. I am going out on a limb here, but other than flying requirements, blowing people up in a manned aircraft and blowing people up from Las Vegas is still blowing people up.
Some just can't take that stress.
.
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