Posted on May 18, 2015
How do you help a reservist with severe PTSD who doesn't want his chain of command to know?
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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
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PTSD
Chain of Command
PTSD Chain of Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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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.
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SFC Mark Merino
My point exactly MAJ Ken Landgren My decisions revolved AROUND my drinking. Once I finally removed that problem from the equation, things seemed to fall into place (go figure).....lol
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SSgt (Join to see)
SFC Mark Merino
I appreciate you sharing your struggle with alcoholism. Shining a light onto the dark places in our lives is never easy. I have a great deal of respect for you for having done it.
I appreciate you sharing your struggle with alcoholism. Shining a light onto the dark places in our lives is never easy. I have a great deal of respect for you for having done it.
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SFC Mark Merino
SSgt (Join to see) the funny thing was that I had a dozen people debating on how to "label" my drinking. I am/am not an alcoholic, I'm a binge drinker, I'm just using alcohol to mask my problems, my ex causes me to drink, I had low self-esteem.........it just doesn't matter what "label" they assign anyone. I don't make good decisions when I drink. Take alcohol out of the equation and enjoy the benefits.
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SSgt (Join to see)
The important thing, SFC Mark Merino, is that you recognized the effect that alcohol was having in your life. You recognized it was not positive. You cut it out and reaped the rewards.
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SrA (Join to see), 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?
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?
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SrA (Join to see)
Well I only know this person thru a friend, He is ARMY not Air Force, I know the unit he is in as it was a sister unit to my Last Army Command. I know that it is PTSD related as I know that this particular soldier has been diagnosed with PTSD but To help a brother regardless of what he thinks of me for doing it there is no end to how far I would go to make sure that a brother does not end up as one of the #22
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1SG (Join to see)
Then SrA (Join to see), you have your answer. You'll need help on this one, and if his CoC is somehow blithely unaware that they have a Soldier having a meltdown, they need to be. Tell the commander or 1SG what you've told us, and what you suspect the causation might be, and offer your services to assist.
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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.
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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
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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...
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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.
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SrA (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) Always here for you brother if you need to chat... I have plenty of resources down in OR that I can get you in contact with as well as you can always contact me on here if you need someone to vent to
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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.
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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!
In fact, if you haven't made the call already... DO IT NOW!
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SrA (Join to see)
I had already planned on calling His unit once i fully had which unit he for sure is In i only know him thru a mutual friend this was more so in the question as there are other routes that can be taken along with his unit that may have more effect on the situation. As this Soldier lives almost 100 miles away from his unit with no units around where he is at...
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SSgt (Join to see)
SrA (Join to see) ,
Good deal SrA Wolf. You are doing the right thing. Contact the unit and put them in contact with people directly in the "know".
Good deal SrA Wolf. You are doing the right thing. Contact the unit and put them in contact with people directly in the "know".
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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 (Join to see). 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.
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 (Join to see). 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.
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