Drone Pilots and PTSD?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 19:49:58 -0400

Just curious if this is an actual issue.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 7:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 19:56:34 -0400

I'm curious as well, I wouldn't see how but then again I don't know what a Drone Pilot sees or what their full detail of their job description.

Off subject (kinda) I know people who claim PTSD over everything & anything.
My kids, work, car accident….

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Oct 26 at 2014 8:05 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 20:05:33 -0400

I would expect that the answer is yes. In my experience, PTSD is less about the intensity of the experiences, but more often the gap between expectations/training and what once experiences. I have known people suffer great stress on a FOB because they were not expecting indirect fire... while I have seen plenty of infantry engage close with the enemy and not show signs of PTSD. Of course this does not apply to everyone, but my point is that often the state of the person is as important as the experience itself.

Further, some drone pilots may be supporting friendly troops on the ground, and have the stress of getting their aircraft to the objective in time, with lives dependent on it. They may also have to live with seeing casualties (either friendly or enemy) on a regular basis, which can certainly compound to create psychological effects.

I don't know all the details of a drone pilot's job, and I doubt many would speak up on the issue out of fear that others wouldn't understand them. However, with my common sense test, I certainly believe that some would be susceptible to PTSD if they are not properly trained and prepared for what they see in the course of their job.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/08/22/drone-pilots-suffer-ptsd-just-like-those-in-combat/

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 8:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 20:28:56 -0400

The struggle is real

Kroll Show - Drones

The struggles of Drone pilots in wartime, serving their country on the ground, sitting at their computers. The Comedy Central app has full episodes of your f...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 9:46 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 21:46:48 -0400

One of the biggest misconceptions of people is that PTS is only seen on the battle field in direct contact. But remember that it may develop after any person is exposed to traumatic events, such as sexual assault, warfare, serious injury or threats of imminent death. So I would say it is possible that drone pilots could be exposed to PTS. I think I would lean in giving them the benefit of doubt.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 10:21 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 22:21:41 -0400

I sat in one of these for 4 years flying the robot from Las Vegas, NV. I can't speak for the entire community obviously. Nothing about the operational aspect of the job caused any stress that was overly traumatic for me. I never met anyone in my squadron that claimed PTSD from this job. Of course we can't read what is going on in other peoples heads I can't say absolutely non of my counter parts have it.

We all knew that we had a job to do. In some respects it is a thankless job with a good deal of responsibility and our actions had grave consequences if we did not do everything by the numbers. When employing weapons it was very procedural almost felt like launching something into space. It was not just flip a switch and squeeze a trigger. We had to make sure all appropriate approval and clearances were met. Our biggest concern was to maintain absolute SA of the battle space in order to mitigate CIVCAS and prevent Frat.

Most of the time the job was very boring doing collection. When these things would go dynamic it always occured after hours of doing nothing then all of the sudden all hell breaks loose and you go from practically falling asleep in your chair to being immersed into a dynamic situation.

As for the stress yeah there are heated moments when you are at an adrenaline rush to get as much info as possible and be ready to do the deed if necessary. After words everything calms down and it is business as usual.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 28 at 2014 3:20 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 03:20:18 -0500

Yes I too suffer from Combat PTSD.... I was stationed in a small cubical in the middle of the states where it was my job to send out toilet paper to units and I just simply broke down knowing that the toilet paper I sent out could have been used by soldiers in combat.....sniffle...I just couldnt bare it anymore !!!!! Give me a break people, how much more bs will soldiers think of to make a fast buck?????