Posted on Jun 10, 2015
1LT Jessie Koyle
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I have a very good friend who was just fired from Gold’s Gym because a military veteran pulled his PTSD card over being told to “Fuck off” because he was stealing clients. Instead of letting this be dealt with in-house, this veteran goes to Corporate Gold’s Gym and demands that my friend be fired or he will sue Gold’s. Not only is this very wrong but this makes all veterans with PTSD look bad and I’m sure Gold’s Gym will think twice before they hire another veteran if all they do is cause unnecessary problems. If this had been a valid PTSD situation, then i would be all for it but this veteran just had a personal issue with my friend and didn’t have the balls to handle it like a man. Is there any way to deal with a person like this and make sure that there is some sort of consequence for pulling the PTSD card like that? He is making all veterans look bad, we are to be the more professional ones!!
Posted in these groups: Gold's GymImgres Employment78568930 PTSD
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Responses: 13
SSgt Charles Edwards
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Unfortunately, something like this is just limited to this one little case. It seems that many veterans (PTSD or not) feel they're entitled to more post service. While the benefits we receive are great (free education, how can you beat that?), there have been instances where veterans push for more and look foolish in the process.

On a personal note, the only thing I've ever expected from the civilian world is for my co-workers to put in a solid day's work. Too many times I've been frustrated with the lethargic work attitude and as a result, puts more pressure on everyone else to pick up the slack.
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SPC Dennis Sentelle
SPC Dennis Sentelle
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Just what is the meaning of push for more. You were not around when we returned from Vietnam 1965-1966 and received the rude welcome homes from our fellow country men and women. never ask for anything from anyone. I suffer from PTSD 70% disability and I deal with my demons every night during my nightmares I have never used the so called PTSD card as you refer to it . I did ask for help when I returned home from Vietnam but received none so I fought this demon myself for almost fifty years. 2013 I trusted the Va. medical services to give me some help. My issue before with the military behind me I just happed to get a very good doctor who has given me back my life after two years of treatments. Not all veterans use these cards, so please don't place all of us in the same fish bowl.
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SSgt Charles Edwards
SSgt Charles Edwards
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I wasn't saying all veterans abuse their status for personal gain. What I was referring to is how there have been cases where vets have tried to make a bigger deal of their status. You are right, I wasn't around during the Vietnam War, but I have done my research. You guys went through hell only to come back home to a fresher one. That wasn't right. I want to apologize as I should have been more specific about the veterans I was referring to, because the cases I've read about have revolved primarily around those who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Once again, I'm not putting everyone in that category, but as the saying goes: the actions of the few can define the majority.
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SPC Dennis Sentelle
SPC Dennis Sentelle
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Thank you SSgt Edwards for your reply. This article just hit me a little close to home. I am sure there are a few that do play this card, but most Vietnam vets would rather that no one know of this terrible nightmare that they have been left with.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
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I hope that companies and other employers will look at veterans as individuals and not as a group. It is not a good practice to judge a group of people because of a few bad apples. That is no different than claiming that most or all Muslims are terrorist because there are many Muslims in GITMO who are suspected of terrorism.
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MSgt Alfred Lagrimas
MSgt Alfred Lagrimas
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Right on. The word individual means that. Unfortunately it's like "atta boyz", you only as good as the last one. But one bad time, one bad egg,or one bad meal is all they remember. Hey L T, hope your friend got a job
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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This doesn't sound right. Let me understand LT, the vet was a gym member who was told to "FO" for stealing clients by the gym employee, the member then went to corporate to play the PTSD card? Just want to make sure I have it straight.
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1LT Jessie Koyle
1LT Jessie Koyle
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The vet was a gym employee in sales with my friend. My friend told him to FO when he took clients that were supposed to be his based on the rules that they have at Golds. the vet didn’t like the way the Golds owner handled it and sent the “felt threatened and i have PTSD” complaint to Corporate where they demanded that Golds fire my friend because they are scared of getting sued by this vet.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Thanks 1LT Jessie Koyle for explaining that. Yes totally handled piss-poorly. We earn rights as vets but with those rights comes responsibility. Guys like this give everyone a bad wrap especially those with PTSD. Your friend hopefully can get a good lawyer because that sounds like Gold's made a bad choice in both respects.
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