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Afghanistan, Veterans, Trauma, and Triggered PTSD

MSgt Ware in uniform and loaded tactical vest, armed, in front of a distant mountain range

The news about the United States withdrawing military forces from Afghanistan is hard to stomach. I am angry. I am sad. And I am worried. Worried about the people left there under the Taliban regime. Worried about the possible backlash to the Muslim community here in the United States. Worried about the troops still there working with humanitarian aid. Worried about the veterans and their families who sacrificed so much. Decades of work, deployments, injuries, and death for seemingly nothing.

Mental Health Challenges After Brain Injury

David Grant and his wife smiling in front of a cloudy sky over a body of water

As my 60th birthday approaches, the internal emotions are ramping up. Over the years, I’ve heard the saying that health is one of those things you never fully appreciate until it’s gone. While this is definitely true, most often it’s used in reference to physical health. But what happens when your mental health is compromised?  

The Worst Case Scenario Paradox

The Worse Case Scenario Paradox: Soldiers view a “sand table” model as 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds”, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division hold a leader’s live fire exercise. Photo by Sgt. Thomas Calvert

...“hope for the best, plan for the worst.” Eventually, the “hope” part fades away, and they get into the habit of planning for the worst. Then they simply expect the worse to happen, especially as it has happened frequently in the past.

The Taking Credit Paradox

The Taking Credit Paradox, A U.S. Marine is awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during a regularly scheduled deployment, July 14, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. A. J. Van Fredenberg)

It can be awkward or uncomfortable for veterans to accept or acknowledge personal compliments, which can possibly speak to their self-esteem and self-worth. Resolving the Taking Credit paradox can improve self-worth and make post-military life much more pleasant.

The Networking Paradox

The Networking Paradox - Veterans networking at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) career fair (U.S. Navy photo by Keegan Rammel)

Veterans don’t seem to understand that some of the skills that they developed in the military are easily transferrable. Networking seems overwhelming and daunting…

The Mastery Paradox

The Mastery Paradox - U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa discuss land navigation during training in preparation for an Expert Infantryman Badge evaluation at Arta Range, Djibouti. Army Photo by SSgt Timothy Moore

Many veterans find it difficult to transition from a highly interconnected collectivist culture to a highly dispersed and somewhat individualistic culture. 

The Perspective Paradox

The Perspective Paradox: U.S. Sailors prepare for flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) April 6, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander B. Williams)

They say that hindsight is always 20-20…that we understand the ramifications of our behavior only from the perspective of looking back on that behavior.

Living That PTSD Life

David Grant and his wife smiling at the seashore, Living That PTSD Life

While packing for our trip, I never suspected that PTSD would steal a ride with us, but two of our four nights away found me with the type of horrifying PTSD episodes reminiscent of the early years after my accident.

The Cruel to be Kind Paradox

Cruel to be Kind: A recruit carries another recruit during the Confidence Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 17. Marine Corps Pfc. Cristian Torres

Service Members and Veterans can demonstrate their genuine concern for others by being aggressive or mean, either to help improve others or to protect others from the veteran’s own pain.