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SoldierGround Forum >> Combat Veterans with PTSD
| 9/16/12 3:40 AM | |
machinegunman
38 
Member Since: 9/10/12 Posts: 66 |
First off, Battalion Landing Team 3/6 26th MEU SOC Afghanistan 01-02 If you are a combat veteran...Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and have PTSD from combat...how are you guys managing. Personally, all I want to do is grab my M249 and get back to kicking ass. I feel like I don't even belong back here in the civilian world. Talking with the majority of civilians back home, they don't give a shit. They don't care that our friends are getting killed down range. Some even have to the balls to say we deserve it..(only one time in my personal experience. I got fired for the way I reacted). There are bonds that we build with each other that is tempered in battle and know VA doc, civilians, or family members seem to get it. I only sleep when I am exhausted, my fucking family avoids me, my ears ring nonstop from explosions, the only thing that seems to numb the pain of hate and sorry I have in my chest is alcohol. Does any other combat veteran live with this shit? How do you dealwith things? I am in the hurt locker, and am looking for the gps to get me the fuck outta here. |
| 9/16/12 3:20 PM | |
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ChinoV
14
Member Since: 5/18/03 Posts: 476 |
Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 (text 838255) or Confidential Veterans Chat with a counselor or Call the 24/7 Veteran Combat Call Center 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387) to talk to another combat Veteran. I am not trying to be smart ass, but have you called one of these lines before or got in the VA system? I know some vets don't trust, or like the VA, but they have been getting better at helping vets in getting the help they need. Are you anywhere near a VA hospital? I am a OIF 2 vet (medic). |
| 9/16/12 3:25 PM | |
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ChinoV
14
Member Since: 5/18/03 Posts: 477 |
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp |
| 9/16/12 4:22 PM | |
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machinegunman
38
Member Since: 9/10/12 Posts: 68 |
Yeah, Im in the va system. I went through the 12 week outpatient and also the 6 week residential PTSD programs. I go to a weekly meeting at the Vet Center which actually seems to help the best. Everyone of the different counsellors says there is no cure...sometimes you'll do fine and others not so much. I got a buddy i went through treatment with that was a medic. He served in Fallujah in 04-05. Corpsman and Medics definitely experience a deep level of hell. 
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| 9/16/12 9:06 PM | |
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ChinoV
14
Member Since: 5/18/03 Posts: 478 |
I'm glad to hear that your in the VA system and that you went through the PRRP. I think that a lot of us cope differently and alcohol was one way of dealing with things when we got back. I was there during that time frame (jan 04-jan05), I was with the 31st CSH. We were the CSH taking the mass cal during the Fallujah battles in Apr 04. Lots of casualties, and airevacs during that time frame. We seemed to get mortar throughout the whole night while doing patient care. We were receiving the wounded, stablizing them and airevacing them to Germany. We didn't experience the same type of things the line medics experienced. As a line medic it is hard treating your battlebuddies and those experiences never leave you. But when you work in the ER and see your share of lost limbs, gsw, and IED casualties it stays with you, and can cause some nightmares or other issues. I never had to treat a close friend, but everyone we treated during deployment was a brother and sister in arms, so it still effected us whenever they didn't make it. |
| 9/16/12 10:42 PM | |
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machinegunman
38
Member Since: 9/10/12 Posts: 70 |
I understand brother. I really appreciate the medics and corpsman. My sister graduate from o.d.s recently out of rhode island. She is on her last year of medical school and is doing the college for service type program. My little sister...a fucking Naval officer. Im fucking proud man...even if she is a squid! Lol. MMA helps some. Gives u a sense of belonging and a way to workout that will always be challenging. I saw earlier this week on the ug, i believe, about some training centers that are run by combat vets. They have a program for veterans that have PTSD and help them cope. It was pretty interesting.
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| 9/16/12 11:49 PM | |
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ChinoV
14
Member Since: 5/18/03 Posts: 479 |
I think training and competing in bjj/combatives and mma helped me take out a lot of my bottled up stress and issues, it's been a major outlet. I like seeing vets in MMA, and I'm sure there are some run by vets. I know my boy Colton Smith is an Active duty Infantry/Ranger and he's on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter. Drinking and partying with my friends was our way of celebrating our return, but drinking is too destructive for me. My roommate ended get into drugs and eventually got kicked out. I recently started working for the VA, and I love working with vets. I like serving those who are most deserving. I missed certain things about active duty when I got out, but working with vets brings a piece of that back. I got nothing but love and respect for my fellow vets, so I love my job. I'm happy for your sister, even if she is a squid, haha. |
| 9/17/12 2:54 AM | |
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virux11b
104
Member Since: 7/7/10 Posts: 2835 |
Sucks man. I've never had a problem with things. One of those minds that don't give a shit I guess. I can remember the things that happened in great detail. But only when I want to remember them. Definitely call someone man. Hell, you can pm me and I'll shoot the shit with ya. 
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| 9/18/12 3:39 AM | |
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machinegunman
38
Member Since: 9/10/12 Posts: 79 |
Thanks for the input brothers. |
| 9/21/12 5:07 PM | |
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Kimbos Lice
131
Member Since: 8/26/11 Posts: 493 |
FMF Corpsman. 3rd battalion 7th Marines 1st Marine Division. Oorah! Hey bud, I know exactly what you're talking about. The best thing for me is exercising and talking about it. You can't let that shit take over your life. I know in the military you're taught to suck it up, but that only works for so long. I also started a thread regarding VA disability claims if you have any questions. Best of luck brother.
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| 9/23/12 1:14 AM | |
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machinegunman
38
Member Since: 9/10/12 Posts: 96 |
I jeep trying to "be" the man who left...but i can't. And u can't explain it to civilians.
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| 9/23/12 10:03 AM | |
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virux11b
104
Member Since: 7/7/10 Posts: 2860 |
People are always shocked when others change. Whether it be from overseas duty or going to college. Change happens and it's a part of life.
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| 10/26/12 2:40 AM | |
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RangerDanger
5
Member Since: 1/13/10 Posts: 244 |
3/75 RGR RGT. Plt medic Iraq 06,07,08 Glad to hear you're at a Vet Center, best place for combat vets. I'm not a psychologist or counselor but the best thing a counselor told me is that I don't have PTSD. I'm in the same boat, would love to pick up my weapon and hop on a 64 and land on target. Fucking thrill of a lifetime. Thing is, after a while we develop a dependency on the high from that. I don't ever look back on things with fear, but I do get really worked up easily. What the counselor said is its not PTSD, but it is anxiety. I do t know why but it just feels better, I knew I didn't have PTSD but I knew something could be wrong. Don't know if they helps but I'm subbed now so ill be checking in.
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| 11/12/12 10:30 PM | |
Neal Zumbro
Member Since: 4/20/06 Posts: 7 |
Task Force Tarawa. 2/8 Echo. Four combat deployments from 2003-2009. Civilian life is not easy after service. After service I found a bjj school and quickly fell in love with it and looking back it might have been the best ptsd medicine. First it was a really hard challenge and a very humbling one at that. I developed a close friendship to many of my training partners and those might be the best gifts of the martial arts. Then I started competing and working in bars and started college shortly after. One thing led to another and you just need to stay busy and let jiu jitsu open some doors.
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| 11/22/12 1:37 PM | |
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ChinoV
14
Member Since: 5/18/03 Posts: 486 |
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow vets & active duty guys on this forum. I came across this article and I thought you guys can all relate. http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/433279/Kyle-Dubay-uses-MMA-to-help-fight-PTSD/ |
| 12/13/12 2:33 AM | |
Yun
14
Member Since: 5/15/09 Posts: 291 |
2/7 g co u have to lighten up on urself. don't let shit get to u. i know its hard at first but practice relaxation and breathing, and time will help you process. stay connected to ur support system. cannabis indica seem to help more than anything. fuck all those meds VA gives you and alcohol just make me more violent. stay strong bro
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| 12/13/12 2:34 AM | |
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Yun
14
Member Since: 5/15/09 Posts: 292 |
Neal Zumbro - Task Force Tarawa. 2/8 Echo. Four combat deployments from 2003-2009. Civilian life is not easy after service. After service I found a bjj school and quickly fell in love with it and looking back it might have been the best ptsd medicine. First it was a really hard challenge and a very humbling one at that. I developed a close friendship to many of my training partners and those might be the best gifts of the martial arts. Then I started competing and working in bars and started college shortly after. One thing led to another and you just need to stay busy and let jiu jitsu open some doors.do u know lcpl santa maria or cpl mcdonough???
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| 4/3/13 7:46 AM | |
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Ply
20
Member Since: 8/18/12 Posts: 663 |
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