Posted on May 4, 2016
How To Answer That Awful Question, ‘Do You Have PTSD?’
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Excellent mechanism and tool to disengage that uncomfortable question that tends to label every one of us... READ ON...
How To Answer That Awful Question, ‘Do You Have PTSD?’
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
11A: Infantry Officer
Army War College
PTSD
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
The one question that I find worse than "Do you have PTSD?" is the the one where they ask "What do you have PTSD for?" Sadly, I was witness to this question when I was down in my third AIT when this IET asked one of the other Prior Service Reclass Soldiers (SGT type with CIB and CMB with 4 tours under his belt). Needless to say, the SGT just looked at him and walked out of the classroom.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec - Ok. I was a tad confused. To end that little story, and remember I was just a little ol' SPC back then....after the SGT walked out of the room pissed off, I turned and ripped my class a new ass for that crap. Granted, the rule was that as long as I was in a student status, I could not do any corrections to the IETs. In this particular case, I gladly threw that rule out the window. After giving that ass chewing, I went and and just stood with the SGT.....in case he needed someone to vent to.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec - That would not have done anything. The way the IETs are coddled nowadays, well it's highly disturbing. As an example, same AIT class but a different IET. I had just come back from sick call and the standard was that any time one comes back from sick call they are to report to the NCOICs (a SFC) office and sign in from that. Right after I signed in, the NCOIC was talking with me about what I can't remember, but one of the IETs from my class was also in the office for what I don't know. Anyway, something was said, and the IET (a PFC), who was sitting, said "I don't appreciate the tone of your voice." He said it kind of low, but not low enough for me and the NCOIC to NOT hear. Me, I took a HUGE step backward to get out of the line of fire. The SFC said "Don't worry Livingston, I go this." She made him do 10 push ups then sent him to class. I was floored and dismayed as I walked out of the office and back to class.
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Great post, I like the fire truck analogy. My typical response in a social situation is to ask, "Do you wear high heels when you masturbate in front of the mirror?" That usually gets me a good amount of shock and awe value. Then I do my best to educate them and move on. While it is aggravating and can cause feelings of hostility in those of us who served, we need to remember as Elana's post alludes, the average person on the street doesn't understand and only remembers the negative points they see in the media. They will continue not knowing any better if we don't take the time to educate when we are able.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
I am going to start using that counter question from now on SFC. I was first asked if I had PTSD by a civilian just yesterday at work. It wasn't a typical question I get from a civilian so I literally had no answer.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
I don't mind the ignorant questions. Coming up with a response that won't result in an HR complaint is the hardest part.
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I have been out of the Military nearly 50 years and I still can't answer that question even to myself,I really don't know that's the truth
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