Newsletter

Medical

A Discussion on Combat Stress, PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt – Helping Marines

On January 24, the Medical Section of the Wounded Warrior Regiment hosted a discussion on Combat Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Survivor’s Guilt at Little Hall, Quantico, Va. The four speakers presented a common theme – suffering from combat stress, PTSD and survivor’s guilt is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of being human. Those who are suffering must get help and early identification and treatment can make a world of difference for the Marines and their families. If those afflicted seek help before the stress causes problems, effective treatments are available that can make a world of difference for the Marines and their families.

Colonel Willard A. Buhl, commanding officer of the Wounded Warrior Regiment welcomed attendees, noting that the Regiment hoped to raise awareness of mental health challenges. He introduced Commander Laura Bender, Chaplain for the Wounded Warrior Regiment who set a tone for the discussion by showing that many wounds of war are invisible and may scar the Marine’s spirit. She shared an interaction with a wounded warrior at one of the Warrior Athlete Reconditioning program’s camps. Navy Medicine had given the Marine new legs and successfully treated his clinical depression, the Marine shared with Chaplain Bender that while deployed, he had unintentionally caused the death of a non-combatant. While he had been medically healed, he was still struggling with the guilt associated with the consequences of his combat service. The Wounded Warrior Regiment will continue to stay engaged with Marines, whether through our Call Center outreach, or other means, to ensure they receive the help they need to confront and deal with feelings of guilt.

Mr. Charles B. Bauer, a Licensed Clinical Consultant with Wounded Warrior Battalion East, focused on dispelling the myth that PTSD is a sign of weakness. He confirmed that PTSD is not unique to the military and described how the brain handles stressful situations. These biological responses can lead to PTSD in anyone who experiences a traumatic event. “The hardest part of dealing with and treating PTSD is it’s viewed as a weak man’s disease,” stated Mr. Bauer. Marines worry about how treatment may affect their career or how they are perceived by others. Many times the only reason a Marine comes in and gets treatment is after his wife or other family member says “No More.”

Sergeant Major David Devaney the Weapons Training Battalion’s sergeant major shared some real-life examples of helping Marines suffering with combat stress, PTSD and survivor’s guilt. His recommendation to leaders was two-fold. Before deployment, try to mentally prepare them for the psychological consequences of combat – stress, survivor’s guilt and PTSD. After a traumatic event has occurred, get those involved together in a group and get them to talk about it, not just bury the memory of what happened.

Finally, Major Jamie Murphy, operations officer of the Wounded Warrior Regiment reminded those in attendance that the mission of the Regiment is to help wounded, ill and injured Marines, especially those suffering from PTSD and other invisible wounds. Marine leaders can utilize the extensive resources of the Wounded Warrior Regiment to fulfill the Commandant’s intent that WII Marines remain with their parent unit until they can no longer be optimally supported. Marines who require more extensive recovery can be transferred to a Wounded Warrior Battalion to complete treatment and develop transition plans.

For more information about combat stress, PTSD, or survivor’s guilt, call the Sergeant Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center at 1-877-487-6299.