Veteran Therapy Groups on RP

SSgt Joe V. — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:19:14 -0400

I have decided, after only being very active on RP for the last two months or so, that the main purpose of this site is Military Therapy.

I know it has been said on here more than once that this is a place military can come to 'be' with other military and like-minded individuals, but I think it goes way above and beyond that.

RP and its members is a therapeutic network for those suffering with the effects of military life. Even our debates that go too far ease some of the tension in our 'regular' lives. Maybe they cause emotions to get very high, but I have seen few threads end with complete hatred :-)...(Damn Pirates)

Getting immediate feedback when experiencing issues - whether it be issues with saluting a 1st as a 2nd, wearing a cover on your neighborhood dog-walks, betrayal by deserters, presidential candidates, or more pressing issues like Post Traumatic Stress, depression, anxiety, physical ailments with debilitating effects - is a basic need of humans. Feedback in general, helps us improve. Non-constructive feedback helps us steer clear of certain individuals and gather up the positive resources available.

Rally Point, in the last two months, has been more of a positive progress, growth and feedback system of support for me than the last nine years of on again/off again therapy in the civilian world.

So, my point in this rant, is that I want to thank my new-found support system for all my crazy issues.

Specifically (and not in order of importance - you're all important now):
Thank you to - SGT Private RallyPoint Member, Capt Bob Abbott, PO3 Steven Sherrill, SSG Donald Mceuen, SFC James Sczymanski, CPT Private RallyPoint Member, MSgt Tifani McCauley, TSgt Hunter Logan, MSgt Mike Mikulski, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member, CW2 Private RallyPoint Member, LTC John Shaw, MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Mark Merino, MSgt Jamie Lyons - there are more, I just got tired of forgetting to type the @ symbol first...

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 10 at 2015 11:22 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:22:07 -0400

Yep, came to that conclusion some time ago myself!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 11:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:23:59 -0400

I have found this site to be VERY therapeutic. I am so happy I have been able to connect with people, such as yourself SSgt Joe V.. I thought coming onto this site for the purpose of helping my PTSD was a reach, but it really has helped me a lot. I am glad that I can help you on my way to recovery. We will get there one day! Thank you!!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 10 at 2015 11:26 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:26:52 -0400

Funny thing is, I didn't realize I cared, or missed anything about military life until I got on here. I had looked at as a closed chapter in life. Now I realize that regardless of service branch or any outside factor, service is a part of who everyone is. Whoever it is that came up with this, and the admins, you people are AWESOME!!!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 10 at 2015 11:29 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:29:54 -0400

I could not agree more!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 11:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:35:24 -0400

We all do our best.
If answering a question or sharing my experience can help someone, even if I never know it, It is worth it to me. A few minutes spent here can make a difference.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 12:38 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:38:06 -0400

Thanks Brother. This is indeed a rare place. Here you can find so many that have experienced at your have and can help. Or you can see what other are doing that works and ask for help. I wish there was something like this in the past. Back in 04, when I got out, it was hard to talk to anyone. It was still new and no one really didn't want to admit they were suffering. They didn't want to be viewed weak. Now we are past that. Some of us are victorious with our battles. The war never ends. I will say at times things can turn dark extremely quick. We have to pop a smoke, send up a flair, and call in a 9-line for support. RP is a great with doing that. As another war fighter we are brothers. We have seen stuff that changed us. We can't go back to those days before war. I tried. It didn't work. We can only look to the future and how we can better ourselves. And avoid being taken by pirates and forced into becoming one.

Response by PO3 Tanis Huston made Apr 10 at 2015 12:51 PM

PO3 Tanis Huston — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:51:18 -0400

I have only been on the site for about a week total, it was a random feed that popped up on my Facebook that a friend shared something and it intrigued me.

Little did I know that it was going to be a turning point for me. Other then my husband and my dad (who is a former Marine) really got what or who I was. I work as security in a Casino, for a lot of people I work with, this is their first job. They have no care or respect for anyone, they hold little not honor or integrity for their job. There where days that I hated going to work because I felt like I was one of very few that actually cared and took pride in what I did.

Now when I'm at work and on a break I can just pop in and feel like I'm back on ship with my buddies debating over things that it never matter who was right or wrong. I have noticed that I have started to have a voice again, I'm not afraid speak my mind or stand up for what I think it right!

Thanks RP and all of its members for helping my find my voice and myself!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 10 at 2015 12:59 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:59:16 -0400

Well said!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 10 at 2015 12:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:59:33 -0400

The importance of veterans who have "beat" PTSD is sharing their experiences. They are like the quartering party, they know the route, obstacles, and destination. They are in prime condition to help veterans with PTSD.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 10 at 2015 2:02 PM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:02:12 -0400

Joe, you sharing your story helped me share mine. Thank you and blessings!

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Apr 10 at 2015 2:56 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:56:47 -0400

Excellent points! I didn't realize it initially, but as my involvement and interactions have progressed I find there is a lot of truth to the points listed in your post.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 4:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 16:26:10 -0400

I agree. This good that we are admitting why they get on here. Most that have never will not understand.

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made Apr 11 at 2015 1:27 AM

CPL Jay Freeman — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 01:27:10 -0400

I have to agree I have this site on my Cell phone so I can check in from time to time lol and I sent my info in to become verified since there also was a conversation about unverified accounts

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 11 at 2015 11:07 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 11:07:36 -0400

There is a bond between people who have suffered the same pains and sufferings. If you have PTSD you are not alone as others have reached the finish line in therapy and want to help. For those who are finished, you have the skill and experience to help others who are traveling down that dark and lonely road. I have written an 8 page paper on PTSD and will share it for free. [login to see]

Response by Capt Bob Abbott made Apr 11 at 2015 1:08 PM

Capt Bob Abbott — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 13:08:08 -0400

I initially signed up on RP months ago when it was new, thinking that it was a military LinkedIn. I didn't do much and hadn't been on it since. Just this past week a friend "friended" me here and it sent me an email. I logged in and was curious about the feed, then I saw Joe's post about PTSD and therapy.

That's when I realized this wasn't like LinkedIn, nor Facebook. This is like Reddit, but with respect and heart. All of us have gone through similar experiences, and while my friends and family can't relate, you do. My distaste for things from box vans tailgating me to self-entitled kids to running, at least some of you can relate. And that helps me with the Monster, as it quietly tells me I'm the only crazy one.

I don't go to group at my local VA. I have challenges sitting across from a multiple purple-heart vet missing limbs and then I'm supposed to talk about my "problems"? Mine are nothing compared to them. Yet here, maybe because it's not face-to-face, here I can relate my experiences and feel like I'm helping others while you help me.

So thanks RP. And yeah, this place helps me deal not only with the PTSD, but it also scratches that itch I sometimes get when I miss the espirit de corps. But not the running. I'll never miss the running.