What are your thoughts about conference on sex-intimacy-combat injuries?

2014-12-09T08:56:48-05:00

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2014/12/08/sex-intimacy-combat-injuries-war-wounds/20100725/

D.C. conference to focus war wounds' impact on sex and intimacy

2-day conference to focus on the impact of combat injuries on sex and relationships

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Dec 9 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-12-09T09:04:19-05:00

A conference on sex intimacy combat injuries could be useful depending upon what is covered, by whom, and who attends. I wish we were a bit more logical and strategic in what and how we tackle problems within the United States. My perception is that we currently go after popular or high visibility issues (this conference being the exception probably) rather than allowing data to drive what we prioritize. For example, research dollars go towards an illness because a Hollywood actor takes it on as a cause vs going after the #1 killer of Americans as the #1 priority, the #2 killer as the #2 priority, etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 9:21 AM

2014-12-09T09:21:06-05:00

I like that a discussion is being opened up on this subject. I wonder if the question "How many marriages have ended because of the condition(s) of returning troops?" got this rolling. Certainly physical injuries have become a hindrance to closeness and intimacy among couples just as the psychological ones have. This is certainly not a high visibility target in the present like Ebola among others are; so it is refreshing to see something like this being addressed.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 9 at 2014 10:01 AM

2014-12-09T10:01:17-05:00

SGM Private RallyPoint Member I believe this is not only important, but overlooked. For many intimacy is all but impossible when you return from deployment. When I returned from deployment, we were required to attend to attend a Chaplain's brief for "reintegration." Honestly, it was a check in the box.

Psychological support prior to deployment, during deployment, and upon return may reduce the inability to process what you are exposed to. It is not now, nor will it ever be about forgetting, but instead about how to understand and cope with those exposures.

I think this is a fine move.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 12:15 PM

2014-12-09T12:15:50-05:00

I hope something useful comes out of it. This is such a personal issue and service members, or their spouses, rarely let others know what goes on (or doesn't) behind closed doors. I don't know if they perceive the issue or problem as sexual inadequacy or dysfunction when they have underlying issues such as PTSD that could be the culprit. I personally know one service member that shared with me he has not been able to be intimate with his spouse for nearly 3 years since returning, and yes, he is being treated for PTSD.

Adding training or classes to DEMOB is not the answer in my opinion. There are already SO MANY that most everything is a check the box, hurry up and move on. Nothing has any meaning and nobody listens to anything.

Maybe training for counselors to be able to identify if these issues exists for those already in programs dealing with groin/sexual organ injuries, PTSD, and/or TBI and know it can be an issue for the service member and spouse (and family) , and have a way to work on/through it. There are plenty smarter than me and hopefully some of them will come up with something.