Posted on Feb 13, 2020
Does anyone of my RP family know of any military personnel who suffered from PTSD prior to joining the military?
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How did they cope while in the military and what did they do to get help after military service?
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PTSD
PTSD
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 3
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Unfortunately, I see it quite a bit.
Most don't cope with it very well, and that is how it comes to my attention.
Most don't cope with it very well, and that is how it comes to my attention.
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PO1 Lyndon Thomas
Top, this is so unfortunate. What can we do to bring more attention to this matter and make it more accessible to veterans. i have an older brother who's a veteran and lives in the streets of our hometown. He's tried shelters and boarding houses for vets, and desperately needs help like thousands just like him. I've always though of starting a non-profit for veterans in my hometown. To help provide a safe-haven for them , offer minor medical attention and physiological counseling or just a place to talk it out.
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1SG (Join to see)
PO1 Lyndon Thomas - I think sometimes people join the military to escape a situation.
One story:
Some time ago I had a female Soldier who joined later in life (26, IIRC). She was in the middle of an ugly divorce, two kids, from an abusive husband who serially cheated on her. She came back from Basic Training talking about how could she transfer units to Atlanta. Turns out, she had struck up some kind of romance with an 18 YO Private and they wanted to move in together (in his mom's basement) and get married.
As a leader, this presented a lot of problems.
First, she just admitted that she had violated UCMJ with her extra-marital activities. Second, holy crap bad life choices.
Third, there is more to the story.
So I peel the onion some, and next thing I know I am getting her life story on blast. She was assaulted as a child and a teenager. Older husband guy was nice to her until he wasn't. Serial cheating led her to a suicide attempt - not disclosed to the Army. This kid was a great listener and (way too many details - redacted) a great lover (LOL). His mom was supportive of their relationship (#thingsthatdonthappen). She wants to have a baby with him. If only she could transfer to Atlanta - where there aren't any Civil Affairs units - they could be together fo-eva.
Jesus.
There is only so much you can do, really. Some things are deeply seeded, and they've come to conclude that this is normal.
Direct them to resources. Counsel. After that, it is God's hands.
One story:
Some time ago I had a female Soldier who joined later in life (26, IIRC). She was in the middle of an ugly divorce, two kids, from an abusive husband who serially cheated on her. She came back from Basic Training talking about how could she transfer units to Atlanta. Turns out, she had struck up some kind of romance with an 18 YO Private and they wanted to move in together (in his mom's basement) and get married.
As a leader, this presented a lot of problems.
First, she just admitted that she had violated UCMJ with her extra-marital activities. Second, holy crap bad life choices.
Third, there is more to the story.
So I peel the onion some, and next thing I know I am getting her life story on blast. She was assaulted as a child and a teenager. Older husband guy was nice to her until he wasn't. Serial cheating led her to a suicide attempt - not disclosed to the Army. This kid was a great listener and (way too many details - redacted) a great lover (LOL). His mom was supportive of their relationship (#thingsthatdonthappen). She wants to have a baby with him. If only she could transfer to Atlanta - where there aren't any Civil Affairs units - they could be together fo-eva.
Jesus.
There is only so much you can do, really. Some things are deeply seeded, and they've come to conclude that this is normal.
Direct them to resources. Counsel. After that, it is God's hands.
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PO1 Lyndon Thomas
1SG (Join to see) - You're spot on with this one. I've met seen and witnessed this story play out several times throughout my career. The last one costs a Navy commander and fighter pilot his career marriage and retirement. Affair with an enlisted female who was abused and neglected as a child teen and young adult (Seeking Father figure) turned romantic, ruined two lives. Having grown up in the 60's 70's and 80's. I saw more than any kid should have. I now see the damage theses things cause and it terrifies me that people are going through life undercover and not seeking to getting help. Excellent share brother! I agree with the recovery plan. god has to be a part. Have a great day and enjoy your weekend!
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I did, but did not know it back in 1971 when I escaped a crazy family by enlisting (a draft lottery # of 32 was also motivating) and until 2010 I didn’t know I had PTSD, I was just a “different” kind of guy. The military was the best place for me to escape and grow. In the rear view mirror of life I now see how a diagnosis of PTSD would have been a blessing. What was liberating was my career field in emergency medical services. I discovered that I was intelligent and capable of learning and, lacking controls of my life, totally immersed myself in my job, but not so much the military. I got a part time job off duty working on an ambulance in town, I became a TA and later an instructor at the local community college teaching EMTs. I was “hot stuff” but very immature. Anyway, I could write pages, but suffice it to say I not only succeeded but later was commissioned in the AF Reserve (there are senior NCO’s and officers who would have a cardiac arrest if they knew that). I have also taken my PTSD seriously the past 20 years and today received a stellar ganglia block injection to treat the residual issues like the non-stop chatter in my head....it is gone! Praise God. Anyway....I pray this helps.
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PO1 Lyndon Thomas
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth - Mine as well. Don't what or where I'd be without her!
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