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PTSD
Drones
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I sat in one of these for 4 years flying the robot from Las Vegas, NV. I can't speak for the entire community obviously. Nothing about the operational aspect of the job caused any stress that was overly traumatic for me. I never met anyone in my squadron that claimed PTSD from this job. Of course we can't read what is going on in other peoples heads I can't say absolutely non of my counter parts have it.
We all knew that we had a job to do. In some respects it is a thankless job with a good deal of responsibility and our actions had grave consequences if we did not do everything by the numbers. When employing weapons it was very procedural almost felt like launching something into space. It was not just flip a switch and squeeze a trigger. We had to make sure all appropriate approval and clearances were met. Our biggest concern was to maintain absolute SA of the battle space in order to mitigate CIVCAS and prevent Frat.
Most of the time the job was very boring doing collection. When these things would go dynamic it always occured after hours of doing nothing then all of the sudden all hell breaks loose and you go from practically falling asleep in your chair to being immersed into a dynamic situation.
As for the stress yeah there are heated moments when you are at an adrenaline rush to get as much info as possible and be ready to do the deed if necessary. After words everything calms down and it is business as usual.
We all knew that we had a job to do. In some respects it is a thankless job with a good deal of responsibility and our actions had grave consequences if we did not do everything by the numbers. When employing weapons it was very procedural almost felt like launching something into space. It was not just flip a switch and squeeze a trigger. We had to make sure all appropriate approval and clearances were met. Our biggest concern was to maintain absolute SA of the battle space in order to mitigate CIVCAS and prevent Frat.
Most of the time the job was very boring doing collection. When these things would go dynamic it always occured after hours of doing nothing then all of the sudden all hell breaks loose and you go from practically falling asleep in your chair to being immersed into a dynamic situation.
As for the stress yeah there are heated moments when you are at an adrenaline rush to get as much info as possible and be ready to do the deed if necessary. After words everything calms down and it is business as usual.
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One of the biggest misconceptions of people is that PTS is only seen on the battle field in direct contact. But remember that it may develop after any person is exposed to traumatic events, such as sexual assault, warfare, serious injury or threats of imminent death. So I would say it is possible that drone pilots could be exposed to PTS. I think I would lean in giving them the benefit of doubt.
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Cpl Michael Strickler
I am with you MSgt (Join to see). All to often we forget two big things. First as you said it is a stress disorder, not combat. People get PTSD from raising children (which I am starting to witness from my daughter can be considered its own form of combat...)
And second, the brain is a bunch of chemical reactions. This is a simple analogy I was told at some point. If your car has low break fluid it doesn't work right. Our brains, machines, are very similar. Though I do not think there is a link between brain chemistry and PTSD I am sure that if someone's brain is "running low on break fluid" in some way they may even be more susceptible to these traumas than others.
I remember seeing a newscast (while on deployment oddly enough) about some junior officer that never even deployed having PTSD. I used to think he was scamming the system, but with my daughter now I think differently. I go crazy every time she goes near the stairs or coughs too much.
I can imagine the stress of him thinking about those that were deployed and what they were going through, knowing you can't do anything, but ceaselessly thinking and worrying about what might be happening.
And second, the brain is a bunch of chemical reactions. This is a simple analogy I was told at some point. If your car has low break fluid it doesn't work right. Our brains, machines, are very similar. Though I do not think there is a link between brain chemistry and PTSD I am sure that if someone's brain is "running low on break fluid" in some way they may even be more susceptible to these traumas than others.
I remember seeing a newscast (while on deployment oddly enough) about some junior officer that never even deployed having PTSD. I used to think he was scamming the system, but with my daughter now I think differently. I go crazy every time she goes near the stairs or coughs too much.
I can imagine the stress of him thinking about those that were deployed and what they were going through, knowing you can't do anything, but ceaselessly thinking and worrying about what might be happening.
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SSgt Stevan Auldridge
Anyone who is responsible for the demise of another could have PTSD. Pulling a trigger or pushing a button can have psychological effects.
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The struggles of Drone pilots in wartime, serving their country on the ground, sitting at their computers. The Comedy Central app has full episodes of your f...
The struggle is real
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