PTSD Treatment for classified Ops

CPO Joseph Grant — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:16:10 -0400

Anyone have any ideas for PTSD treatment for ops that won't be declassified until after I die. I gave up on VA treatment after they declared me incompetent because I missed an overdue bill and I cannot talk about the major incident. In are Submarine Force we don't discuss what happens after we leave the pier. I really feel like a pussy asking for help but .... I'm not climbing a bell tower to off people, I just want some ideas. I'm tired of the anger, nightmares, feeling like I'm crawling out of my skin and other shit.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 11 at 2015 5:00 PM

CPO Joseph Grant — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:00:56 -0400

Thanks, sometimes I feel like there's hope and sometimes not. I'm trying. I don't know how to describe in unclass ways what we did. I would have felt safer putting a mk48 in the water but that wasn't the mission.

I know I said this before but I'm tired of waking up at s dead run for my station. One friend called them boat mares and it fits.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 6:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:12:23 -0400

I would say that you really don't have to disclose a lot of information. An example would be if I went on a raid that was targeting a High Value Individual. I don't have to tell the person I am talking to who was the target or why I was there. All they have to know is that I was on a raid.

We get caught up with this classified stuff a lot. I have seen a lot of stuff, especially in the pre Iraq War build up. But I was a scout. I did scouting missions thought out my year in Iraq. I gathered intelligence. That is what a Long Range Surveillance Unit does. Did we get into some bad situations, yes. But that is part of the job. I don't have to say how we were gathering intelligence on or who we were working with in the area. All I have to say is that I was scout in Iraq in 2003 and I had some difficult experiences. If you have to go into details use a cover story. You can rely the situation in a similar setting at times. If you were in a spot where you can't say you can say you were somewhere else.

In addition to this there are people out there that can help you and can be told some information. When a Special Forces soldier comes back and has issues there are people there that can help those in his situation. Just because the operation is classified doesn't mean that there isn't a person out there that can't help. I am sure if you were to tell the VA about this they may be able to help.

Did you sign a Nondisclosure Agreement for this incident? That would also be something to consider.

Response by SGT Edward Perez made Jun 11 at 2015 7:13 PM

SGT Edward Perez — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:13:02 -0400

CPO Grant. I am no expert but have you tried to get leads from, VFW, AMERICAN LEGION. Are you a combat vet, then try a VET Center. Hope you find what you seek.

Response by PO2 Sid Carlton made Jun 11 at 2015 11:45 PM

PO2 Sid Carlton — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 23:45:13 -0400

I was on a fast attack. You can tell the story without giving out details. Your health is more important.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 12 at 2015 3:01 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:01:27 -0400

While I can't answer your specific question, I could not pass op the opportunity to tell you that you should never, never "feel like a pussy asking for help"... We all need help now and then and asking for it takes courage, which, in and of itself, proves you are not a pussy.

Don't give up... You will get the help you need. I am sure someone on this site will be able to answer your question.

We are all here for you, brother.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 12 at 2015 3:15 PM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:15:51 -0400

It's really just about knowing what to leave out, I think. I know that sometimes telling a story needs context, but think about what you can't say in advance and leave it out. I think just about any mission story can be told in a way that leaves out the details that makes it classified.

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 11:08 AM

SR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:08:51 -0400

Yep, it felt like a nighmare sometimes. Waking up after mission, some days after, in the middle of the night with old flashback memories going up... and only nurses at phone and nobody in front to talk... Sometimes very hard, with puzzle memory and no helps because all was classified "black".

This is like big shit under the carpet, and nobody to help after mission, and return to the boring batcave...
I understand your point !

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 27 at 2015 4:02 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:02:41 -0400

CPO Joseph Grant there is no shame in asking for help as that takes more balls than letting things just fester. I can't answer your question but you might want to reach out to DAV. I have heard nothing but good things about this organization. They may be able to help - these guys are ready to do battle with the VA or any other group that gives vets a hard time. Best of luck and you're never alone.

http://www.virginiadav.org/

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA

DAV - Department of Virginia. For almost 100 years the DAV mission is Fulfilling Our Promise To The Men and Women Who Served The DAV Department of Virginia is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia. Our Mission since its founding more than 80 years ago, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has been dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families.

Response by Sgt Clayton Dooley made Nov 15 at 2015 4:45 PM

Sgt Clayton Dooley — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 16:45:19 -0500

Smoke weed. It helps. Dont be ignorant about it and do some research. It has a stigmata about it because of legalities but it definietly helps

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Nov 15 at 2015 5:29 PM

SGT Dana Williams — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:29:55 -0500

You might try one of the Vet Centers. Many of the counselors/reps are former/retired military who have walked the same walk. Example: I worked with a former sniper (Vietnam) who felt he had been ordered to kill American defectors. I had been in the same area and was cognizant of the intel surrounding that particular assignment. It removed any question about targets being US nationals. Targets were Warsaw Pact.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Nov 15 at 2015 10:55 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 22:55:45 -0500

Chief (and anyone else). Sorry to hear your struggling. Sorry to hear it isn’t working with VA. The SIMPLEST answer is seeking out advice from your local SVO (VFM, Legion, Assoc of Purple Heart, etc.) Yes, we officers and senior NCOs think we can manage our own cases. Wrong and BAF IDEA. SVOs know how to do it. Yes, the VA has to know some of the circumstances associated with the trauma. But I can assure you (as someone in a similar situation) they are more interested in finding out what’s going on with you and finding a solution.
The VA uses what is called the “DSM-V” (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5) to identify if a client has the symptoms of PTSD. A Masters level therapist or higher can identify and recommend a diagnosis. There are three types of PTSD: acute, chronic, and delayed onset. In acute PTSD, symptoms last less than 3 months. In chronic PTSD, symptoms last 3 months or more. In delayed onset PTSD, symptoms first appear at least 6 months after the traumatic event. Some of the literature won’t mention combat. Other’s due. The DMS-V is NEW and the VA was asking for a service-related definition, be assured that working on a submarine during classified work (pucker factor) could NO DOUBT cause PTSD. And they aren’t going to need the 5 W’s.
Keep in mind that there’s the VA and VA Vet Centers. Both offer tremendous help to those struggling with PTSD. Get signed up for an interview/exam and annotate that it was DUTY and a specific event can be as VAGUE as it needs be.
FYI – I have training as an addiction counselor/family skills educator.
Fair Winds and Following Seas

http://www.healthcommunities.com/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/overview-of-ptsd.shtml

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Overview - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -...

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people who experience violent crime, disaster, or combat, causing anxiety and depression.