SECDEF Tells Soldiers, More Deployments
Secretary Gates answered questions about Army deployment cycles in a town hall meeting at Fort Drum this week. He had no specific answers regarding continuing and uneven shouldering of deployment lengths by brigades except to announce on July 20th an increase in Army personnel by 22,000. The stress of continuous rotations into the battlefield can result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is PTSD?
According to the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event such as combat. All people with PTSD have lived through a traumatic event that caused them to fear for their lives, see horrible things, and feel helpless. They may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. They may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. Some people develop more severe systems that could affect their daily lives.
PTSD Impact on Military Careers
Family members can help monitor loved ones and counsel them when they begin to feel the anxiety of repeated deployments. The military legal system gets involved when that military member chooses to not report for duty resulting in an unauthorized absence. UA or AWOL is a serious military justice infraction. Military members can return after being gone less than 30 days and most probably receive non-judicial punishment and can finish their military obligation or careers. UA or AWOL for over 30 days most often results in a other than honorable discharge from the service. This could make them ineligible for most Veterans Administration benefits.
Act Before the Military Justice System Does
If you are a family member of a military member and notice any of the symptoms of PSTD, encourage him or her to talk to the mental health professionals, chaplains and his or her immediate supervisor. Get that person the help needed prior to having to deal with unauthorized absence or AWOL and the possible life-long results when the military justice system is involved.
Tags: Army, attorney, AWOL, Deployment, Fort Drum, military law, PSTD, Secretary Gates, UA
