How do you help a reservist with severe PTSD who doesn't want his chain of command to know?

2015-05-18T15:56:14-04:00

So, I found out some information on a soldier this weekend that is severely struggling with PTSD. To the point that he is Drunk 24-7 when he is not at Drill. This soldier has been having issues since he came home but seems to be able to hide this as he is a reservist and none of the people in his unit live anywhere near him. Im torn between trying to help him myself which I have found out many people have tried and he doesnt want the help or letting his chain of command know the situation

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-05-18T16:16:45-04:00

You need to make this known to his COC before it is taken to a level of know return. There are several agencies that the COC can get involved to assist this Soldiers but unless someone lets them know how serious the problem really is bad things are to come.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 18 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-05-18T16:51:04-04:00

You HAVE to let the CoC know, even if it costs your friendship. People with PTSD get stuck in their own situation and don't make the best decisions, they can only make the best decisions based on their own perceived options. If they don't want to get help, sometimes the best otion is to bring the help to them. Our lives all depend on each other within the unit, and you have a man with a chink in his armor. If someone suffers because he wasn't able to perform at 100%, that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Prayers from Tucson, my little brother.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-05-18T16:55:08-04:00

Sounds like he needs to go to the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). Take it to the CoC. Everyone is a leader in the Army.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 4:57 PM

2015-05-18T16:57:39-04:00

SrA Private RallyPoint Member, the substance abuse is a gigantic red flag. Even wothout PTSD present, it is not difficult to assume that alchoholism is working in tandem with depression - a dangerous combination. You need some experts on your side; don't try and go it alone. I don't know what the Soldier's (Airman's?) job is, but being drunk all the time is a potential danger to many people and property beyond just the man himself.

Is it your opinion that the alchohol use is due to PTSD or that the PTSD is amplified due to the depressant nature of the booze? Your friend needs help, and needs to find better outlets than the bottle. How far are you willing to go?

Response by SGT John W Lugo made May 18 at 2015 5:35 PM

2015-05-18T17:35:42-04:00

Good luck and thank you for not turning the other cheek, As an NCO you can't give up on anyone regardless if they want help or not! Suggestion is maybe get the Unit Chaplin involved. If not maybe seek assistance from VA as much as that maybe a waste of resources.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made May 18 at 2015 5:51 PM

2015-05-18T17:51:33-04:00

You have got to bring it up to the CoC, so they can assist with getting him help. This can escalate into a lot of things that will be worse if no one is made aware. In the long run after he has gotten the help he needs, he and his family will be grateful that a friend was there to ensure he got help. If it continues on the path he is headed right now it can/will result in injury or worse to others and himself and that is not what any of us want to see.

As every leader will tell you in your career, we can't fix, what we don't know is broken. We can't always see everything and I can only imagine in the NG and Reserve these situations are tougher because of the distances between unit members. Your CoC expects you and every other Soldier to take care of each other whether at drill or not. Let's get him some help.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 6:15 PM

2015-05-18T18:15:21-04:00

Now I just have to verify the unit that he is in and find a way to contact that CoC as I am not in the Army anymore... Kinda miss AKO :( I had planned on going to the Chain on this just wanted to see if there was other resources or certain routes I needed to take to get there.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 18 at 2015 6:20 PM

2015-05-18T18:20:40-04:00

Looking out for the best interests of a brother or sister in arms is very important. While this may cause a strain on the friendship in the beginning, if he gets the help he needs then over time the strain will or should dissipate. Helping someone get the help they need for this type of situation is paramount to unit cohesion and overall morale of that unit.

My advice would be to step up and bring this to the CoC. If this soldier is a friend he will understand. This is my advice and opinion. In the end it is all up to you SrA Private RallyPoint Member. Personally I would rather lose a friend while trying to help him/her than to lose a friend to what goes on inside their head. The sad fact is that I have lost friends to the ravages of the wars that go on inside their heads. Last year RallyPoint lost one of it's members that I know of to a similar situation. He came home from his war, but he never fully returned.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 6:40 PM

2015-05-18T18:40:09-04:00

As a member of the US Military and a member of the USAF, you have a responsibility to your fellow Airman to bring this kind of destructive behavior to the 1st Shirt/ Commander. Whether he wants the help or not, he needs it. You do not want to be the person who knew and said nothing after his actions kill others. There may also be a question of culpability if it is revealed that you knew and said nothing.

In fact, if you haven't made the call already... DO IT NOW!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-05-18T18:43:12-04:00

The ONLY option is to notify his chain of command. End of conversation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 6:45 PM

2015-05-18T18:45:06-04:00

Bring it to the chain but explain your concern about getting help for PTSD. I would think that If discharge is neccessary and medical authorities dx as PTSD then it should be honorable and VA can provide medical and financial help.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-05-18T19:14:46-04:00

I wish I had someone care enough to step in and help me. Because by the time my ptsd showed its head I had gotten in trouble with the law. I'm now getting to a place where I can most of the time sidestep it. But it still gets the best of me. When that happens I fell that my senior leadership just wants to get rid of me then help me. So I do my best and drive on. Trying to improve were I'm lacking on my own.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-05-18T20:45:39-04:00

You have to bring it up the chain. You can also give him military one source if he is uncomfortable seeking help face to face. But no matter what bring it up...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 11:57 PM

2015-05-18T23:57:23-04:00

Bring it to the chain of command. They don't have to tell him who said something. I have had a Soldier (not in my unit) call me about a Soldier in my unit before, as well as people paying attention to what other people post on FB. Then because of certain worrisome posts, a few of us were calling the soldier to see if they were ok. Gotta get people involved, let the soldier know that no matter what - you're there for them

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 10:19 AM

2015-05-19T10:19:59-04:00

Just to update everyone, I informed the CoC last night so the ball is in their court now. I will still be following this Soldiers issue from the sidelines thru different people that are closer to him then I am... I appreciate everyones thoughts, I think the conversation was a great help, Seeing all the response for just going strait to his chain of command while it is great, and I hope they get him the help that he needs, I am hoping that his CoC actually does something other then sweep it under the rug.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-05-27T18:43:39-04:00

I would bring it to his chain of command. It would be very unfortunate if it escalated into something worse.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 23 at 2015 5:19 AM

2015-06-23T05:19:39-04:00

You can let his CoC know but they won't have the same authority over him like the way active military would over their SM.

Response by SrA Steve Susumu Monas made May 26 at 2016 9:06 PM

2016-05-26T21:06:00-04:00

Airman Wolf. Self-medication with alcohol is common with people with PTSD. He need to go and tell the chain of command ASAP. It is a horrible thing to live with. When I was active duty, they didn't even recognize I had a problen. I did tell everyone, it fell on dead ears. It's a different Military you are in now. They do recognize it. He needs to speak up otherwise he will be fighting the war in his head alone. It's not easy but you are a good friend so please do the right thing. Number one thing is he has to stop self medicating and get help. Mention it to your first shirt if he refuses.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made May 26 at 2016 9:48 PM

2016-05-26T21:48:26-04:00

Help the soldier, do the right thing, for the right reason. If you don't, you have left the fallen comrade behind. My question is, could you live with that...

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 26 at 2016 11:26 PM

2016-05-26T23:26:31-04:00

TAKE CARE OF THE TROOPS!

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made May 28 at 2016 6:15 AM

2016-05-28T06:15:51-04:00

This is something the chain of command needs to know. He might be drinking in His "down time" but having said that, we must remember our "jobs" are around the clock and we must be ready to to deploy. A soldier with this type of problem needs medical detox under close supervision. He needs to address the issues that he is drinking to forget (there may be more effect ways) his budget may be in shambles, but you made it sound as though he is isolating. This is a recipe for disaster. You have identified a serious problem that is beyond the your scope of duties other than watching and buddying up. This soldier needs professional help and by going up the chain, duties may be modified and perhaps one of the "22" will get his problems addressed in a safe environment as possible and not add his Name on the list. I would suggest that you get counseling also. The burden of another's life is too heavy to carry alone

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 7:36 PM

2017-04-07T19:36:22-04:00

Use outside sources such as AA meetings to help with the drinking and most YMCA have counseling that obviously report to no one in the armed forces. Churches offer counseling well some due, it's not to far fetched to think a local minster etc would be willing to listen and not judge or report to anyone. Sometimes just having someone willing to listen is a good start and you can build off of that as time goes on.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 30 at 2019 4:50 PM

2019-01-30T16:50:44-05:00

Refer the troop to one of the help lines for confidential assistance, here's one [login to see] . You're in a tight spot, the guy told you something in confidence and by discussing his issue you stand to loose a buddy.
The consequences of not discussing his issue with the CoC and enlisting their aid could be far greater for the troop then being ticked off at you. Personally I'd seek out the 1SG or Commander they will be the most mature, experienced, trained and should have the outreach capabilities to get them help. Normally I'd say see the SQD Leader but that's a crap shoot judging by some posts on RP lately.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 30 at 2019 5:52 PM

2019-01-30T17:52:24-05:00

I know how it feels. I was reluctant to ask for help because I did not want to be medically discharged. Also, I did not know if help existed and who would provide the help. Encourage him to get help. Many folks with PTSD end up making bad mistakes.