17
17
0
About 7.8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives--with women twice as likely as men to develop it. In the military, 30% of men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD. Sexual harassment/assault is another common cause within the military.
Should treatment for PTSD be more individualized to the specific causes? How can someone struggling get the appropriate support for his or her journey to heal?
Should treatment for PTSD be more individualized to the specific causes? How can someone struggling get the appropriate support for his or her journey to heal?
Posted in these groups: 
PTSD
Sexual Assault
PTSD Sexual Assault
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 12
Who else thinks the RallyPoint team does an awesome job at making these infographics for us? Hat tip Nick Petros, Meaghan Corson :)
(13)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
Agreed Sgt (Join to see) I'm sending it to my friend at Fort Wainwright for their PTSD clinic to see if they could use it.
(1)
(0)
9
9
0
This was posted 6 days ago, and after lurking here for a few weeks and seeing how this forum worked I was hopeful that I could post an anonymous comment for my fellow leaders to respond to, but I can't create my own thread, so I'll piggy back off of this one.
I am a SSG in the US Army. I will hit 8 years this Friday, SEP 19th. I will have been a SSG for just shy of 2 years of that point. That's E6 in just over 6, but won't make 7 in 7. I am the recipient of two purple hearts as an E4 in the same tour. To be honest I was put in for a 3rd, but I was advised by my CSM that I should fight against a 3rd submission in the same tour because it could possibly eliminate me from the Army as a re-enlistment candidate for various reasons, and despite what others say, it was a good call.
After receiving my 2nd PH and my ARCOM (downgraded from ARCOM V, thanks COL), I was put into a "mandatory TBI study" for AD personnel for 1 year. This was before they had the whole TBI scanners in the helmets thing that I noticed on my latest deployment. These people called relentlessly until I answered about a 30 minute barrage of questions every 3 months for a year. They even followed me from duty station to duty station even when I reclassed.
I went from 11 series to 25 series (SIGNAL, not "commo"), and have had an insane time trying to re-align myself as part of the team. I work with individuals which in my opinion, have no heart. I took shrapnel to the face and neck, was knocked unconscious, recovered the hamburger that used to be a majority of my platoon, and still managed to walk the 3 miles back and lead a convoy back to KAF for the ceremony to load them up on a plane. Yet I am here now with a bunch of POGS (sorry for the term, but it's how I feel), who have never deployed, have been to some awesome duty stations for the past 15 years (hawaii, germany, maryland, back to germany etc,) and for some reason can't run. Working with females is also another HUGE change for me, which I won't go into for sake of the intent of this post. It is insanely disappointing. I joined to be a man, because I wasn't before this. I was doing some terribly stupid $H!@ as a late teen, and joined to save myself. I was taught by my NCOs that what I do in combat will define me. And what I did is mine, and mine alone. Yet here I am now with these people that almost disgust me to be associated with as "Soldiers".
The point of this post is to ask you, fellow leaders, how I can overcome or adapt to this new environment I work in. It is NOT a sob story or anything to try and gain any type of favoritism, I just literally am at my whits end when it comes to this new job.
I'm an E6 with 8 years in service, been an E6 for 2 of those 8. My average peer is at 15-18 years in service, and have pretty much set their minds on retirement and don't GAF (you figure it out). I have no friends at this newest duty station, and don't plan on having any based on what I've seen. I'm used to having at least ONE battle buddy I can call and vent to. I have none here. I work with people who on average have not deployed, at least half. They are all on no running profiles. I have 50% vision in my right eye and shrapnel still in my right shoulder. I can still run a 15 minute 2 mile or less. Not great, but it's what is in my heart that keeps me going at my full speed. I want to headbutt people who say they are "hurt" and have never deployed.
Obviously I have anger issues. I just have no idea who to talk to about it here, especially with no battle buddies. Nobody here is my peer. I don't want to take any type of "PTSD" counseling sessions because I'm in TRADOC. I can't even go to sick call without being around a bunch of <6 months in the Army privates, who apparently have PTSD from their Drill Sergeants who, trust me (I've been through the training), are NOTHING compared to what you and I went through. It's a softer Army now. I want to rage at everything that is going on here, but in addition to "leaders" that are guaranteed their retirements at this point, and soldiers who are "entitled" to everything coming in, as well as civilians that pretty much run this place, I might as well be nobody. I am not the triple war vet, double purple hearted 'grunt' who I want to be, used to be, am. I am just a poser in this new "generation" of army who is seriously floundering and drowning. I have no idea what to do.
I need some help, I really do. I want it, I just have nowhere to turn. 5 minutes with any of these civilian "experts" on anything will let you know they are full of crap and don't actually wan't to be doing what they are doing...
If anyone has any advice on ANYTHING I am griping about I would be very appreciative of it...I am losing my mind after only 8 years, and would really like to fulfill my 20...
Thank you in advance...
I am a SSG in the US Army. I will hit 8 years this Friday, SEP 19th. I will have been a SSG for just shy of 2 years of that point. That's E6 in just over 6, but won't make 7 in 7. I am the recipient of two purple hearts as an E4 in the same tour. To be honest I was put in for a 3rd, but I was advised by my CSM that I should fight against a 3rd submission in the same tour because it could possibly eliminate me from the Army as a re-enlistment candidate for various reasons, and despite what others say, it was a good call.
After receiving my 2nd PH and my ARCOM (downgraded from ARCOM V, thanks COL), I was put into a "mandatory TBI study" for AD personnel for 1 year. This was before they had the whole TBI scanners in the helmets thing that I noticed on my latest deployment. These people called relentlessly until I answered about a 30 minute barrage of questions every 3 months for a year. They even followed me from duty station to duty station even when I reclassed.
I went from 11 series to 25 series (SIGNAL, not "commo"), and have had an insane time trying to re-align myself as part of the team. I work with individuals which in my opinion, have no heart. I took shrapnel to the face and neck, was knocked unconscious, recovered the hamburger that used to be a majority of my platoon, and still managed to walk the 3 miles back and lead a convoy back to KAF for the ceremony to load them up on a plane. Yet I am here now with a bunch of POGS (sorry for the term, but it's how I feel), who have never deployed, have been to some awesome duty stations for the past 15 years (hawaii, germany, maryland, back to germany etc,) and for some reason can't run. Working with females is also another HUGE change for me, which I won't go into for sake of the intent of this post. It is insanely disappointing. I joined to be a man, because I wasn't before this. I was doing some terribly stupid $H!@ as a late teen, and joined to save myself. I was taught by my NCOs that what I do in combat will define me. And what I did is mine, and mine alone. Yet here I am now with these people that almost disgust me to be associated with as "Soldiers".
The point of this post is to ask you, fellow leaders, how I can overcome or adapt to this new environment I work in. It is NOT a sob story or anything to try and gain any type of favoritism, I just literally am at my whits end when it comes to this new job.
I'm an E6 with 8 years in service, been an E6 for 2 of those 8. My average peer is at 15-18 years in service, and have pretty much set their minds on retirement and don't GAF (you figure it out). I have no friends at this newest duty station, and don't plan on having any based on what I've seen. I'm used to having at least ONE battle buddy I can call and vent to. I have none here. I work with people who on average have not deployed, at least half. They are all on no running profiles. I have 50% vision in my right eye and shrapnel still in my right shoulder. I can still run a 15 minute 2 mile or less. Not great, but it's what is in my heart that keeps me going at my full speed. I want to headbutt people who say they are "hurt" and have never deployed.
Obviously I have anger issues. I just have no idea who to talk to about it here, especially with no battle buddies. Nobody here is my peer. I don't want to take any type of "PTSD" counseling sessions because I'm in TRADOC. I can't even go to sick call without being around a bunch of <6 months in the Army privates, who apparently have PTSD from their Drill Sergeants who, trust me (I've been through the training), are NOTHING compared to what you and I went through. It's a softer Army now. I want to rage at everything that is going on here, but in addition to "leaders" that are guaranteed their retirements at this point, and soldiers who are "entitled" to everything coming in, as well as civilians that pretty much run this place, I might as well be nobody. I am not the triple war vet, double purple hearted 'grunt' who I want to be, used to be, am. I am just a poser in this new "generation" of army who is seriously floundering and drowning. I have no idea what to do.
I need some help, I really do. I want it, I just have nowhere to turn. 5 minutes with any of these civilian "experts" on anything will let you know they are full of crap and don't actually wan't to be doing what they are doing...
If anyone has any advice on ANYTHING I am griping about I would be very appreciative of it...I am losing my mind after only 8 years, and would really like to fulfill my 20...
Thank you in advance...
(9)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
SSG (Join to see) -- thank you from all of us for opening up like this; it takes courage. I am sending you a message here on RP with my cell phone number. Call me anytime you need to. Every member on RP is here for you in the same way, I suspect.
(2)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
SSG (Join to see) -- do you have a spouse/children? Just trying to be sufficiently helpful. Another person to connect you with here in that sense would be LTC Jason Strickland. He helps run an awesome organization called Project Sanctuary.
(3)
(0)
LTC Jason Strickland
SSG (Join to see), as CPT Aaron Kletzing mentioned, our organization, Project Sanctuary, is here for folks in your situation. Check out our website (http://www.projectsanctuary.us) for additional information. We offer most of our retreats just three hours from Fort Carson. Please contact me if we can help.
(2)
(0)
SGT David Petree
I got this # [login to see] said press 1 got it from the VA in Birmingham . it is the veterans crisis line. the real hard part is getting words to come out of your mouth when they answer the phone. I have called it`s helping.
(0)
(0)
8
8
0
PTSD isn't a sign of weakness mentally or physically. There are many excellent theories but the answer still alludes the professionals who have studied it for generations. It isn't natural to go to war. Every whistle and bell God programmed us with goes off inside as our biological defense mechanism to help keep us alive, just like it was designed to do. All that increased external stimulus and heightened "fight or flight" programming sometimes gets stuck in a loop in our heads. It kept us alive in combat, so maybe it is good? I think the body/mind connection gets a little confused. The thing that doesn't help are the constant deployments. If you make it back to a peaceful surrounding and have no issues that is FANTASTIC. The odds of not developing PTSD decrease with every subsequent deployment. Our mind gets confused. It was safe, then it was war! Then it was safe for a while.....then war! Some people are just left with their mind and body geared towards war. The severity of PTSD has a strong correlation with our ability to turn off these "switches" in peacetime. The question should not be "Why is PTSD so common." The question in my mind is "Why aren't more people affected with PTSD?"
(8)
(0)
SSG William Patton
SFC Mark, PTSD is under reported to answer your question. It goes against our nature as males to show signs of weakness and thus, we internalize our emotions. I had PTSD for 20 years before I finally tried to deal with it. Ironically, it was not the VA, but a college psychology professor who helped me address it. I had to write a paper about the most significant experience I had as an adolescent. That was easy, Vietnam. Writing about it, and then having to read my paper in front of a group of students, most a lot younger than I was, was as terrifying as combat. But, I survived, and afterward, felt better. That opened the door for me to begin to feel my emotions instead of supress them. There are signs we show when we have PTSD, like risk taking behavior, drinking or illicit drugs, to make the pain go away, or to feel the rush of combat. I got a high school buddy, who I also saw in Vietnam to finally go for a PTSD screening and he was approved at 60% on his first try. I have a brother in law who flew on Spooky that has it and I am still trying to get him to admit it. He has all the signs, but is afraid it will make him look weak. We are often our own worst enemy when it comes to our health. That is why it is under reported.
(4)
(0)
Col (Join to see)
The question is why don't the Services prepare warriors for combat properly and reintegrate them afterward. Why do the Services push the limits on Combat Trauma and write off the human cost to it as acceptable vice some multi-million dollar weapon system. The Army's own thorough research discovered in WWII that ~180 days was the combat exhaustion limit for nearly all personnel. So why was that "forgotten" and the standard Middle East conflict (OIF, OEF) tour became 365 days despite DoD's own well documented research? The answer lies within the military-industrial complex not a personnel system that is not combat smart.
(2)
(0)
SSG William Patton
Col. Dave, I left Cam Rahn Bay on 30 June 70 and 48 hours later I was at my parents home in Louisiana. The culture shock of coming home was far worse than it was when I landed at Ben Hoa a year earlier. I did not have a clue what to expect in Vietnam and I went through Tigerland at Ft. Polk, where you got a good taste of what it was like, but nothing prepares you for the real deal. Coming home, 48 hours after experiencing incoming rounds, was as I said, more of a shock. I can recall diving under the picnic table when someone would light of a bottle rocket prior to Independence Day celebrations or jump when fire crackers would go off, but that was more understandable than trying to learn how to act as a civilian after three years in the military, the last in combat. I did not know I had PTSD at the time, but knew something was not right with me. I was anxious all the time and felt guilty for being home when I knew a couple of my buddies would never have that feeling. I stayed drunk for about a month, until I met my wife, and she helped me put the pieces back together. I consider myself blessed, compared to many who did not have a support system like I did. I did not see combat frequently, like some did, but we lived under the threat of rocket and mortar attacks every week and sometimes, everyday. It took many years to put that behind me, but even today, I still think about Vietnam and my buddies al them time. It never goes away. Sorry for rambling.
(2)
(0)
SSG William Patton
Captain Gregory W., My nephew, are marine who served two tours, one in Irag and one in Afghanistan said he was in the field for most of the 24 months he was deployed. I spent 12 months on remote artilery fire support bases and and only saw base camp four times during that 12 months. Then infantry we supported before Vietnamesation would be in the bush for sometimes two weeks straight, then get three of four days in base camp before being sent out again. It is estimated 30% of Vietnam vets have PTSD and I think that is way under estimated.
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
Big Dogs --- To The Front on Vimeo
LEARN WHY WARFIGHTERS ARE BEING KILLED, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND HOW TO STOP IT. If you truly care who is responsible for killing veteran Warfighters; this is a video…
Combat Traumatic Stress is a permanent physical (physiological) combat injury or wound NOT a invisible "disorder." The 10-25% assessment rate is crap. People pushing disorderly facts are not fully connected with the struggle and possibly have fallen into becoming a tool of some bureaucratic system. We need to educate people to get past warrior stigma, that seeking treatment is what the strong do and to finally seriously address the suicide rate which is far higher than 23/day. We need your dedication to reality and action, to unite as warfighters. It is time for the Warfighters' Rights Movement ~ Get educated & join us!
(4)
(0)
Cpl Dennis F.
SSG Pete Fleming I already have an account set up on Amazon to e-publish, it is just getting through this final problem. See above.
(1)
(0)
Cpl Dennis F.
SSG Pete Fleming Many Excerpt stories have been published around the internet at various sites/blogs.
(1)
(0)
SSG Pete Fleming
Cpl Dennis Fresch, don't get discouraged... I am sure you have people to help, if not I would gladly help you out.
(0)
(0)
Cpl Dennis F.
SSG Pete Fleming Actually, I am rather out in the sticks. I retired two years ago and did a 180 with my lifestyle from coastal Hi-rise condo La Vida Loca to farmer...any help is appreciated even if only prodding me to get off my ass.
You need to type the @ before my name or your replies are lost in the chaff.
You need to type the @ before my name or your replies are lost in the chaff.
(1)
(0)
4
4
0
PTSD occurs about 4 times more in the military, than in the population as a whole. Combat, or just being in a combat zone, provides too many opportunities to experience emotional or physical trauma. Current veterans who have had multiple deployments are more susceptible to severe PTSD episodes, especially if they were in direct combat. Many have survior guilt, something that afflicted me for a long time. I just could not figure out how I survived the same experience that killed or severly wounded buddies. Humans can only take so much psychological trauma before it takes its toll. For some, it can be only one event, while others, it may take several events, but all are affected in some way.
(4)
(0)
SSG Maurice P.
Sfc Gates correct me if i'm wrong but if you work in law enforcement or corrections where there is a need to carry a weapon (pistol-rifle-shotgun)
and your truly diagnoised with ptsd that it will end your career...i to am a combat soldier we also lost alot of soldiers (16) and (3)iraqi interpreters...
and your truly diagnoised with ptsd that it will end your career...i to am a combat soldier we also lost alot of soldiers (16) and (3)iraqi interpreters...
(0)
(0)
SFC Robin Gates
SSG Maurice Pownall; Yes, it can! The severity of the diagnose's and if VA changes you to medically retired for severe PTSD automatically brings you in front of a VA review board and they can pull your 2nd Amendment rights. If law enforcement/corrections it could jeopardize your job. We are fighting this right now with my son-in-law, since we are a outdoors/hunting family. A lot of Vets will stop the process or won;t seek help so they can maintain their right to bear arms. Now this can be a double edge sword. Legally and morally, so it is still a volatile area. Technically the way the law was written anyone diagnosed with and committed to treatment facility except (self admittance) falls under the VA guidelines. Now this can very from state laws also. This is real complicated area so a person have to check state, federal and VA. This is the short version and not precisely written. Get with a VA rep and local law enforcement to verify the laws.
(1)
(0)
SSG William Patton
I worked in law enforcement for several years, but it was before psychological screening was performed on new candidates. If I tried to go into law enforcement today, I could not pass the psyche eval. During my first year on the job, still a rookie, I was involved in one shoot out, where I ended up shooting a man trying to kill his family. Ironically, he was a former member of pararescue in the Air Force. He had returned from Vietnam two years earlier and had been shot down three times while trying to rescue downed pilots. When he saw me arrive on the scene, he opened fire. Two weeks to the night, and nearly the hour, I was involved in another shoot out with a former marine, also recently returned from Vietnam. He however surrendered peacefully. Those incidents only deepened my PTSD and I did not receive any counseling after each incident and not miss a shift of work. We now recognize the seriousness of emotional trauma and PTSD and take steps to intervene, but still, I do not think we do enough. Too many of our brothers and sisters die each week because of suicide and we need to help these veterans before many more die.
(1)
(0)
Cpl Dennis F.
SSG William Patton I had a vet friend from one of the old Vet Centers that had me out of bed many late nights trying to keep him from being shot by Police. He admitted to trying to perform suicide by cop. I feel for your dilemma in those actions.
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
The biggest part to treating this from my experience, is having the counseling performed by those who have had the same or similar experiences. You do not have an auto mechanic repair a jet engine and you do not have civilians, no matter how well trained, counsel those coming from combat. This was done in the past with poor success. Hopefully it is no longer the case.
(4)
(0)
SSG William Patton
Dennis, I would agree with you, but unfortunately, the VA takes a different approach when hiring therapists. When I was working on my internship to become a therapist, I applied to the VA and was encouraged to do so by my professor/advisor. Many in the graduate program had interned at the VA from my college, so it was assumed I would be accepted. However, I was the first one ever denied internship and it was because I was a Vietnam combat veteran and the head of the VA psychology department felt I was too close to the issue to be objective. I have PTSD, but have addressed the issues long ago. I am not cured, we are never cured, but I have learned how to cope, which is what we all can attain with help. I felt, as did my advisor, that my experiences, and success in overcoming many of the issues of PTSD, would be a good resource for my brothers and sisters, still overcome by the disorder. But, the VA always knows best. Bull Shit!!
(2)
(0)
Cpl Dennis F.
SSG William Patton I could write an anthology of VA and Vet Center horrors from my useless experiences with them. I did it on my own nickel and with my writing outside of the VA system...and now they are paying me for fixing myself...go figure!
(0)
(0)
SSG William Patton
I gave up trying to figure out the VA, or the federal government, for that matter, along time ago. I am eligible for VA medical services, but like you, I pay for my own. I have never had a positive experience with the VA and no one I know personally, has either.
(1)
(0)
This thread also makes me think about the untold tens of thousands of veterans from Vietnam who did not get the help they needed for PTSD. I wonder what data there is on this -- specifically, how many Vietnam vets were estimated to have had trouble with PTSD. Anyone have insights?
(2)
(0)
MSG(P) Michael Warrick
As human beings we face a lot of situations in out lives that are not good. Perhaps PTSD is not properly diagnose by doctors and maybe PTSD is being treated now when it was not early for others.
(0)
(0)
PO3 Aaron Hassay
CAPT and SGT.
WHAT do you do when you find out your FATHER missing since 10 years old was and is a VIETNAM 10o percent SERVICE CONNECTED VET due to VEIETMAN? ANd you did not know this and did not meet him, having served your own country in a combat unit yourself honorably discharged even before reuniteing with him shortly on and off 2005,after being discharged myself 2002 a broken mess.
I HAVE been remarking on my own fight wth PTSD developed from PERsonal ASSUALT from SUPERIOR and HAZARDOUS Anxiety Stressors (COSC) COMBAT OPERATION STRESS CONTROL or (COSR) COMBAT OPERATION STRESS REACTION..but mainly that damn ASS Kicking from an e9 for no good fukn REASOn by 22 will stick with me as the reason I startd beating people up in the streets.
SO to the point. YOU mentioned VEITNAM and PTSD. I did not know, and received no benefit of my Father, MISSING after 10 years old, when I joined and served honorably, 18-26.
But I met him miracously again at 35 around 2006 when I thought he was dead. Guess what happened and what was discovered? He is now since 2005 before I would meet him 100 percent service connected VIETNAM COMBAT VET 65-68.
I am the son dependent also of a SERVICE MEMBER and never knew that.
SO the whole time when my mom had to flee my dad going APE SHt when I was a kid and I was homeless with my mom and lving that poor young homeless kids life...I was a dependent of the FEDERAL GOVTs MILTARY VA BRANCH just like KIDS from SERVICE MEMBERS ww2 and GULF WAR of 90 till today. But what happened to the VIETNAM VETS kids???
I just found I aged out of the system to get 1 benefit such as DEA Benefit, not to mention the support MY MOM could of used to stay away from HOMELESS NESS as my dad was dealing with REAL PTSD and has PHYSICAL wounds of VIETCON hand to hand combat crazier then I can admit in his 60s.
In the end, I am sad. why? well that is me 2 generations of MALES..my dad I never met and got benefit of as being able to be healthy and being able to nurture from WAR TRAUMA he was drafted into and being homeless a lot as a kid bouncing around a lot to many times to recall after MY MOM had to split for our SAFTEY and no SUPPORT NO VA OUTREACH.
What can I DO? I am on SSDI for ANXIETY and MOOD DISORDER. I need the NAVY to do a LOD or CHANGE My records through SECNAVCORB for all the PHYSICALS with OBVIOUS symptoms of ANXIETY STRESS health issues left untreated and undiagnosed in uniform myself enlisted and discharged honoraby 2002 a broken man from a HIGH SCHOOL AWARD winning athlete and BEST RECRUIT AWARD MERITORIOUS in BOOTCAMP 1994.
I am injured on SSDI for anxiety(PTSD really) and mood disorder(COMBATIVE depression) and SSDI did not even have access or knowledge that I was in the MILTItary and all my handful of really bad medical negligent medical care that wouldn't not even be accepted as "good" for a Prisoner of WAR held captive
I am trying to accomplish all this injured putting my own records together with PTSD symptoms such as inability to really CONCENTRATE which I find the be one of the biggest dilimas to this whole issue.
WHAT do you do when you find out your FATHER missing since 10 years old was and is a VIETNAM 10o percent SERVICE CONNECTED VET due to VEIETMAN? ANd you did not know this and did not meet him, having served your own country in a combat unit yourself honorably discharged even before reuniteing with him shortly on and off 2005,after being discharged myself 2002 a broken mess.
I HAVE been remarking on my own fight wth PTSD developed from PERsonal ASSUALT from SUPERIOR and HAZARDOUS Anxiety Stressors (COSC) COMBAT OPERATION STRESS CONTROL or (COSR) COMBAT OPERATION STRESS REACTION..but mainly that damn ASS Kicking from an e9 for no good fukn REASOn by 22 will stick with me as the reason I startd beating people up in the streets.
SO to the point. YOU mentioned VEITNAM and PTSD. I did not know, and received no benefit of my Father, MISSING after 10 years old, when I joined and served honorably, 18-26.
But I met him miracously again at 35 around 2006 when I thought he was dead. Guess what happened and what was discovered? He is now since 2005 before I would meet him 100 percent service connected VIETNAM COMBAT VET 65-68.
I am the son dependent also of a SERVICE MEMBER and never knew that.
SO the whole time when my mom had to flee my dad going APE SHt when I was a kid and I was homeless with my mom and lving that poor young homeless kids life...I was a dependent of the FEDERAL GOVTs MILTARY VA BRANCH just like KIDS from SERVICE MEMBERS ww2 and GULF WAR of 90 till today. But what happened to the VIETNAM VETS kids???
I just found I aged out of the system to get 1 benefit such as DEA Benefit, not to mention the support MY MOM could of used to stay away from HOMELESS NESS as my dad was dealing with REAL PTSD and has PHYSICAL wounds of VIETCON hand to hand combat crazier then I can admit in his 60s.
In the end, I am sad. why? well that is me 2 generations of MALES..my dad I never met and got benefit of as being able to be healthy and being able to nurture from WAR TRAUMA he was drafted into and being homeless a lot as a kid bouncing around a lot to many times to recall after MY MOM had to split for our SAFTEY and no SUPPORT NO VA OUTREACH.
What can I DO? I am on SSDI for ANXIETY and MOOD DISORDER. I need the NAVY to do a LOD or CHANGE My records through SECNAVCORB for all the PHYSICALS with OBVIOUS symptoms of ANXIETY STRESS health issues left untreated and undiagnosed in uniform myself enlisted and discharged honoraby 2002 a broken man from a HIGH SCHOOL AWARD winning athlete and BEST RECRUIT AWARD MERITORIOUS in BOOTCAMP 1994.
I am injured on SSDI for anxiety(PTSD really) and mood disorder(COMBATIVE depression) and SSDI did not even have access or knowledge that I was in the MILTItary and all my handful of really bad medical negligent medical care that wouldn't not even be accepted as "good" for a Prisoner of WAR held captive
I am trying to accomplish all this injured putting my own records together with PTSD symptoms such as inability to really CONCENTRATE which I find the be one of the biggest dilimas to this whole issue.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
I truly don't believe PTSD is more common. I think there are many more cases of it that went unreported or were reported as something different since we are really just starting to talk about it and recognize it as a real mental illness. I remember growing up my Grandfather used to talk about it and say that they were just weak men who like to whine and can't handle the real world. I can't say I even knew about PTSD until I was diagnosed with it after my TBI and coma. I keep rambling on but honestly to get to the point, I don't think there were ever less people that suffered from it and it has always been this bad. It was just a different time and people didn't want to talk about it and/or didn't know about it. It wasn't researched the way it is now.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
COL Mikel J. Burroughs has a great online program that helps PTSD vets find community and cope. He is a great person to connect with on this topic
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
First, I believe that everyone handles things differently. You may shoot someone and have night mares, whereas the guy to your right was in the same TIC, neutralized a threat and didn't think twice about it.
In my free time I am a city firefighter where I live. Horrible car wrecks, people hurt, children suffering - doesn't phase me. We had a guy resign due to nightmares. Like I said, it's different for everyone.
The big however in that is this:
Having PTSD "pays", if you will.
Someone separating service with this diagnosis will receive some sort of financial stipend monthly for it being a 'disability'. I feel like it is abused and taken advantage of in a plethora of cases. If the financial aspect of the diagnosis was to go away and was replaced by fully funded treatment and therapy, I'm willing to bet there would be fewer cases than there are now.
In my free time I am a city firefighter where I live. Horrible car wrecks, people hurt, children suffering - doesn't phase me. We had a guy resign due to nightmares. Like I said, it's different for everyone.
The big however in that is this:
Having PTSD "pays", if you will.
Someone separating service with this diagnosis will receive some sort of financial stipend monthly for it being a 'disability'. I feel like it is abused and taken advantage of in a plethora of cases. If the financial aspect of the diagnosis was to go away and was replaced by fully funded treatment and therapy, I'm willing to bet there would be fewer cases than there are now.
(1)
(0)
SSG Jacob Wiley
And in that I mean fewer cases (the false claims being eliminated), ensuring only those who truly have issues get the help they need. No shame in saying "hey I need help" - but there's a big problem with claiming an ailment just to get some money each month.
Integrity doesn't stop when you hang up a uniform.
Integrity doesn't stop when you hang up a uniform.
(2)
(0)
Col (Join to see)
Unfortunately greed and fraud are a skill developed by a entitlement-based society but that pails in comparison to the untold, uncounted numbers of undiagnosed, homeless, unemployed, divorced, and not properly accounted for suicides. Does anyone actually think 23 suicides a day is a valid number. Far more are not properly accounted for and why would even one vet suicide a day be worth stopping some fraud. This suicide bomb is far more serious than concerns over fraud and is totally unacceptable. Military should back each other up and support first, second guess later. We are too often our own worst enemy and feed the civilian justifications to filter our employment, medical and basic rights opportunity because we are simply now a threat as the warrior class.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
RallyPoint Team Great post and information. You can get help from a number of different sources outside the VA and ones that can be anonymous as well.
We've got a program that we started up called Sponsor a Vet Life (SAVL) and that is exactly what we provide (peer-to-peer) support via an online methodology in the Virtual World that helps members with PTSD, TBI, MST, and that are severely disabled reintegrate back into social settings and group functions. I'd like for you to check it out one of these days on a Monday evening. Here are the directions to attend a webinar and collaborate:
If you are interested and would like to attend a Webinar first, we are conducting them on Thursday nights at 7:00 PM EST. Please go to this link:
http://www.sponsoravet.life/#!veteran-webinars/ybtiq
Here is a link to our RP Group Page. Please follow the page:
https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/sponsor-a-vet-life-virtual-world-solutions-d-b-a-sponsor-a-vet-life-wharton-nj
I look forward to communicating with you in the future. I hope you can attend a webinar and thanks for your support of the veterans, service members, and retirees on RallyPoint.
We've got a program that we started up called Sponsor a Vet Life (SAVL) and that is exactly what we provide (peer-to-peer) support via an online methodology in the Virtual World that helps members with PTSD, TBI, MST, and that are severely disabled reintegrate back into social settings and group functions. I'd like for you to check it out one of these days on a Monday evening. Here are the directions to attend a webinar and collaborate:
If you are interested and would like to attend a Webinar first, we are conducting them on Thursday nights at 7:00 PM EST. Please go to this link:
http://www.sponsoravet.life/#!veteran-webinars/ybtiq
Here is a link to our RP Group Page. Please follow the page:
https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/sponsor-a-vet-life-virtual-world-solutions-d-b-a-sponsor-a-vet-life-wharton-nj
I look forward to communicating with you in the future. I hope you can attend a webinar and thanks for your support of the veterans, service members, and retirees on RallyPoint.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
PHYSICAL ASSAULT...Nicely named FAN ROOM COUNSELING(NAVY) or WALL to WALL COUNSELING(ARMY MARINES) SENIOR TO JUNIOR is another sure way to develop this syndrome. I think it happens more then people would really expect of keep track of. A sign of "weakness"? NO NEVER! its just pure reality to start breaking a young MANs trust in TEAM and HONOR, when a senior(who is not your dad and should DADs ever ASSAULT their sons or daughters for not living up to the DADS MARK??) uses his "RANK" "SENIORITY" "STRIPE" on his her "ARM" in the middle of the ocean "to get his point across" to a kid "SPIT FIST THREATS" of LIFE ALTERING Thoughts "GIVEN" DELIVERED ON MARK to a KIDS internal PSYCHE---but never returned-obviously from the SAME KIDS unless the KID wanted to end up in the BRIG for defending himself..NOT AGAIN THE ENEMY..but just a FUKd UP MAN in the SAME Uniform..who found a WEAKER man to BEAT UP for nothing really life changing..no real reason at all...save a fuking uniform infraction...frazzled after days of Hazardous Strenous Duties at SEA..dazed and depressed a bit already and numb...even before that ASS HOLe decided to pLay GOD in his HEAD.
SO what happens to a young man who was used to be on teams in HIGH SCHOOL and was on VARSITY and looked up to by younger kids and actually succeeded? was he provoked to succeed and give it his all because the HIGH SCHOOL COACH beat him up??? haha.yah really...no NEVER....
He actually won THE MERITORIOUS BOOTCAMP BEST RECRUIT AWARD TOP 5 Percentile! And He did not even know that was an award he could get until it was given to him at graduation.
SAME SAID KID BECOMES a despondent mess street fighting for fun or pure anxiety at anyone that seemed to look at him wrongly out of uniform starting during that time of being ASSAULTED and not being able to leave SAID UNIT.
ANd that kind of anger was actually encouraged I suppose. But I would say this it leaves a broken man unable to FIT IN anymore and TRUST TEAM. It leaves a man who is or was COERCED and threatened to PERFORM like an indentured servant or SLAVE now scared of what will happen.
I can tell you this. THat same supposed MAN e9 that thought he was some BADD ASS should get a WHIFF of my FIST in his FACe etc...as a grown MAN myself in an ALLEY alone NO UNIFORM oN..just me able to defend myself like any human should be able to do anywhere.
I think we should all develop some sense of humbleness in uniform for those we are superior of. We live or are developing out of a world of BARBARIANS who get what they get because fo BRUTE force. But do you rule your lady your love with brute force? no, the more you talk to her the better things get.
Let me reiterate. I am a man. A man who survived his TEAM( not the ENEMY I was taught to be the ENEMY on TV) A MAN who survived someone he was supposed to TRUST from assaulting him and not talking about it ever scared and frightened until this last year.
And in the 16 years in between homelessness joblessness confused disoriented and disjointed. But now I put the pieces together.
If we can create ARMYs and AIR FORCES and NAVYs to go and kill other humans around the world at any given notice and not feel any feelings then me BEING REAL about attacking your OWN BROTHERS AND SISTERS for no PARTICULAR reason should have not much RICHTER SCALE MEASUREMENTS on our COLD spirits of delusion.
LETS TRY TO BE CIVIL here. Don't ACT LIKE THE ENEMY to your OWN TEAM and FAMILY. TREAT YOUR OWN TEAM AND FAMILY like you would like to be treated. Unless you hate yourself somewhere and are angry inside. And in that case seek help and talk about it. BUt don't beat someone up about it that is just serving as a punching bag for your sickness. GOD REALLY PUT us in a bind if this is what is really going on. I HOPE TO RISE ABOVE THIS IGNORANCE.
I will say this for full measure. I have won more fights now then I ever considered I would ever get in. I trained at it from a street fighter to a trained fighter striking and submission. ANd I would not use it only in self defense. I can not see getting off using it as a threat to someone who is not trained and could not defend themselves.
It is that sense of security that we need to develop. DO NOT PICK ON PEOPLE especially your OWN DAMN TEAM.
SO what happens to a young man who was used to be on teams in HIGH SCHOOL and was on VARSITY and looked up to by younger kids and actually succeeded? was he provoked to succeed and give it his all because the HIGH SCHOOL COACH beat him up??? haha.yah really...no NEVER....
He actually won THE MERITORIOUS BOOTCAMP BEST RECRUIT AWARD TOP 5 Percentile! And He did not even know that was an award he could get until it was given to him at graduation.
SAME SAID KID BECOMES a despondent mess street fighting for fun or pure anxiety at anyone that seemed to look at him wrongly out of uniform starting during that time of being ASSAULTED and not being able to leave SAID UNIT.
ANd that kind of anger was actually encouraged I suppose. But I would say this it leaves a broken man unable to FIT IN anymore and TRUST TEAM. It leaves a man who is or was COERCED and threatened to PERFORM like an indentured servant or SLAVE now scared of what will happen.
I can tell you this. THat same supposed MAN e9 that thought he was some BADD ASS should get a WHIFF of my FIST in his FACe etc...as a grown MAN myself in an ALLEY alone NO UNIFORM oN..just me able to defend myself like any human should be able to do anywhere.
I think we should all develop some sense of humbleness in uniform for those we are superior of. We live or are developing out of a world of BARBARIANS who get what they get because fo BRUTE force. But do you rule your lady your love with brute force? no, the more you talk to her the better things get.
Let me reiterate. I am a man. A man who survived his TEAM( not the ENEMY I was taught to be the ENEMY on TV) A MAN who survived someone he was supposed to TRUST from assaulting him and not talking about it ever scared and frightened until this last year.
And in the 16 years in between homelessness joblessness confused disoriented and disjointed. But now I put the pieces together.
If we can create ARMYs and AIR FORCES and NAVYs to go and kill other humans around the world at any given notice and not feel any feelings then me BEING REAL about attacking your OWN BROTHERS AND SISTERS for no PARTICULAR reason should have not much RICHTER SCALE MEASUREMENTS on our COLD spirits of delusion.
LETS TRY TO BE CIVIL here. Don't ACT LIKE THE ENEMY to your OWN TEAM and FAMILY. TREAT YOUR OWN TEAM AND FAMILY like you would like to be treated. Unless you hate yourself somewhere and are angry inside. And in that case seek help and talk about it. BUt don't beat someone up about it that is just serving as a punching bag for your sickness. GOD REALLY PUT us in a bind if this is what is really going on. I HOPE TO RISE ABOVE THIS IGNORANCE.
I will say this for full measure. I have won more fights now then I ever considered I would ever get in. I trained at it from a street fighter to a trained fighter striking and submission. ANd I would not use it only in self defense. I can not see getting off using it as a threat to someone who is not trained and could not defend themselves.
It is that sense of security that we need to develop. DO NOT PICK ON PEOPLE especially your OWN DAMN TEAM.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Recent Command Post contributions
Command Post
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
