How Trauma Before Service is Shaping a Generation of Troops

Lt Col Charlie Brown As an abused child I was saddled with a lot of trauma but always thought I could handle it, plus it was embarrassing to admit I needed help, right? I hid my breakdowns like Maj Falcon did thinking that I could eventually sweep them under the carpet but subconsciously they were always there and came back at me in the form of flashbacks and dreams that wouldn't go away. My main reason for joining the military at seventeen years of age was to get away from home and hopefully a new start in life. I say after I joined the Marines I never went back "home." That's partially true. I did go back for about a half hour after I finished boot camp to retrieve my car and what was left of my belongings, then I was gone forever. At my first duty station I attempted to get help, but I was discouraged from doing this as it would be on my record forever and, "It's just a bad idea, you'll grow out of it." I am glad to read that there were officers like Maj Falcon who tried to help those she was put in charge of get the help they needed. Semper Fi Major, too bad you weren't my commanding officer back then.

These types of issues were not focused during my service! But this have changed for the better. Many youths today suffer with anxiety an things that impact t their a ility in the classroom.

They are still treated like disposable government property.