Does anyone of my RP family know of any military personnel who suffered from PTSD prior to joining the military?

2020-02-13T08:37:51-05:00

How did they cope while in the military and what did they do to get help after military service?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 13 at 2020 8:53 AM

2020-02-13T08:53:08-05:00

I did,but didn't know what it was then.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 11:32 AM

2020-02-13T11:32:37-05:00

Unfortunately, I see it quite a bit.
Most don't cope with it very well, and that is how it comes to my attention.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Feb 26 at 2020 11:49 PM

2020-02-26T23:49:49-05:00

I did, but did not know it back in 1971 when I escaped a crazy family by enlisting (a draft lottery # of 32 was also motivating) and until 2010 I didn’t know I had PTSD, I was just a “different” kind of guy. The military was the best place for me to escape and grow. In the rear view mirror of life I now see how a diagnosis of PTSD would have been a blessing. What was liberating was my career field in emergency medical services. I discovered that I was intelligent and capable of learning and, lacking controls of my life, totally immersed myself in my job, but not so much the military. I got a part time job off duty working on an ambulance in town, I became a TA and later an instructor at the local community college teaching EMTs. I was “hot stuff” but very immature. Anyway, I could write pages, but suffice it to say I not only succeeded but later was commissioned in the AF Reserve (there are senior NCO’s and officers who would have a cardiac arrest if they knew that). I have also taken my PTSD seriously the past 20 years and today received a stellar ganglia block injection to treat the residual issues like the non-stop chatter in my head....it is gone! Praise God. Anyway....I pray this helps.