Is survivor's guilt a common trait with service members who have seen combat?

SSG Karim Majid — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:10:08 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2023 2:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:45:22 -0400

Yes, it happens to most Servicemembers, in my case I had to attend Behavioral meetings to overcome it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2023 4:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:02:28 -0400

SSG Karim Majid Combat veterans face a number of challenges. The VA or a Vet Center can provide help.

https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/ptsd/
https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Eligibility.asp

PTSD treatment | Veterans Affairs

Whether you just returned from a deployment or have been home for 40 years, it’s never too late to get help for PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). Getting counseling or treatment can help you manage your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. Our National Center for PTSD is the world leader in PTSD research, education, and treatment. Find out how to access PTSD health services through VA.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 2 at 2023 5:19 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:19:54 -0400

Yes.

And for those who have deployed, but not seen combat.

And less common, but still occurs in those who did NOT deploy while others did.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Nov 2 at 2023 10:27 PM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 22:27:49 -0400

It is with me.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 3 at 2023 8:17 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:17:18 -0400

I would say it is. Training generally makes most service members strive to serve and do their best to accomplish the mission while bringing us home. The training makes the US Military a force to be reckoned with but it also pushes a specific mentality you see across the Military that we all push doubt onto ourselves if that mission wasn't fully successful in our eyes when someone doesn't make it home. Could I have done more? Why me? All of those are real feelings and I think many of us struggle with that at some point.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 3 at 2023 8:51 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:51:48 -0400

Yes. Now get out there and make their deaths mean something. Be a good citizen, treat people better, help others whenever you are able and never forget them.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 3 at 2023 10:07 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:07:18 -0400

I’ve found more than any survivor’s guilt in my case,was the guilt I felt years later after I left the Army and wondered did I do enough,instruct and teach enough to the trainees who were going to that place I had just returned from, Vietnam,I was a very young NCO without any teaching experience and probably scarred by my tour in an Infantry company,so that’s my version of guilt, Welcome Home Brothers.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Nov 5 at 2023 7:30 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 19:30:40 -0500

Probably more than we know.

I myself have felt survivor guilt over my combat deployments. I never experienced any direct "force on force" encounters but I was extensively exposed to the aftermath of such events. I never really understood why God allowed me to come home when so many others did not. All I can do now is try to be the best person I can be and make their sacrifice not be in vain.

I like to think my career as a Paramedic post military service somehow puts back a little bit of "good" for al the "bad" I saw in the world. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Time will tell in the end.

Response by SPC Michael O’c made Nov 15 at 2023 7:13 PM

SPC Michael O’c — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 19:13:22 -0500

I think survivors guilt means you care. It shows up different for all of us, just like the other commenters said.

For me, I was at a Memorial Day event 4 years ago and had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everyone who died while I was there. It doesn’t mean I’m not sad/grieve those guys, but I respect what they did and what happened, whether I like it or not.

Everyone in my unit never said it, but we all agreed we would die for each other if we had to. I just didn’t have to, and also was lucky.

I had done some work on other guilt-related PTSD stuff, so that probably helped shift from guilt to gratitude.

Hope you feel better — sadness/grief is better than guilt any day. Take care, PTSD treatment works for most of us. It’s worth doing just for survivors guilt, even if you don’t have other symptoms.

Response by CPL Ida Mason made Nov 15 at 2023 7:28 PM

CPL Ida Mason — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 19:28:30 -0500

I am a veteran and yes it definitely has and still does happen to me.

Response by SGT Ed Matyjasik made Dec 2 at 2023 2:49 PM

SGT Ed Matyjasik — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 14:49:21 -0500

It is with me.

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Dec 2 at 2023 4:37 PM

1SG Russell S. — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 16:37:16 -0500

Yes

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 4 at 2023 5:25 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:25:23 -0500

YES!!!

Response by LTC Keith L Jackson made Dec 14 at 2023 1:10 PM

LTC Keith L Jackson — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:10:50 -0500

YES!!!

Response by SSG William Hommel made Jan 16 at 2024 9:55 AM

SSG William Hommel — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:55:43 -0500

Heck, I got out after 11yrs in 89 before things kicked up and felt a lot of guilt later over not having stayed in and deployed with my brother and sister vets. I can't even fathom suvivor guilt from surviving combat. When I see a fellow vet wearing combat patches I always approach and thank them profusedly.

Response by MSgt Mike Stiffler made Jan 25 at 2024 7:44 PM

MSgt Mike Stiffler — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 19:44:44 -0500

I was scheduled to go TDY to Saudi but was pulled at the last minute because of medical clearance. The guy that took my place was severely injured along with plenty of others in my unit when Kobar Towers was bombed. I still think that was supposed to be me almost 30 years later.