PTSD Treatment for classified Ops

CPO Joseph Grant

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.

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

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/

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 !