Posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 0:17:07
In reply to Re: Are medications permitted in United States Army » mmcconathy, posted by Fathe on February 3, 2005, at 20:24:45
As the mother of a former USMC who spent 8 months in Iraq at the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. He came home physically safe and sound, with 8 medals, including a Presidential Unit Citation for his unit's participation in Lynch's rescue (they were the one's creating the diversion on the other side of town). He was 19 at the time and "good to go" as they say in the Corps. The first month he was back, he seemed agitated, restless. Had difficulties adapting. Sure, they ask in debriefing if you are okay (PTSD), but if you say yes, they let it go at that. No follow up, no manditory counseling or readjustment assistance. Admitting that you are having difficulties adapting, having nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, etc is considered a weakness and therefore many are subtly advised to "suck it up" and that it will pass. All his scores prior to his deployment were approx 4.5 (on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being best). He had just been awarded a good conduct medal. His CO told me that he was "an outstanding Marine" (I wish I had recorded that conversation, cuz I know that now he would never admit to ever making that statement). Anyhow, getting to my point. This kid fell apart within a month of his return. For the first time in his life, he turned to drinking and drugs. He popped on a couple of drug tests, did a little brig time, etc. Faced up to the consequences, though anyone who knows him, knows full well that he was acting out of character...way out of character. He eventually went UA and is now declared a desserter (before the bashers start...he has turned himself in and is going to face the consequences, including dishonorable discharge which will follow him for life). While he was UA, he went totally beserk (sp). Being Bipolar myself, I could immediately tell he was manic. Then he would crash into depression. Just before things came to a head, his gf and best friend both contacted me that they were concerned about his bizarre behavior. He went thru $1500 (of my money) in less than 4 days and has no clue where it went. Nor do his friends. I begged him to check into a hospital and he had made an appt but he was so out of touch with reality that I had him picked up. So now he is sitting in jail waiting for the USMC to get around to picking him up (he did return to base shortly after going UA and was even staying in his barracks for five days and no one...not one single person, officer, MP, etc. said one word to him). With plenty of time on his hands now, I mailed him a Bipolar survivor guide and wow did he have an AHA! moment.
My point here (and I do have one) is that if you have a propensity towards a mood disorder, DO NOT ENLIST. You have no idea what you will encounter or be exposed to if you are deployed. Bipolar can be triggered by PTSD in those who are predisposed to mood disorders. My son had no idea that what he was feeling was PTSD and let it eat away at him. Trust me, admitting any type of weakness in the military is highly (though sublty) discouraged. I am fully convinced that his Bipolar was triggered by PTSD and the events that he witnessed in Iraq. He saw, did and experienced things that a 19 year old was in no way prepared to deal with emotionally. Sure he has many regrets and would give anything to erase the past year. He loved (loves) the USMC to the core of his existence but because he did not get the help he so clearly needed he will forever carry the scarlett letter "D" for Deserter and know that he failed his fellow Marines. He will carry that shame with him for the rest of his life. Many people may feel no sympathy for him. I certainly don't condone the way he handled things. Hell, I'm the one that turned him in...for his own good. I just hope that NOW he can get the help he needs.
You are playing with fire if you knowingly enlist with a preexisting mood disorder. You have no way of knowing what might be a trigger. There are far too many stressors to list. Is your sanity worth it? My son thinks not. He didn't see this coming. He was a just a normal kid who went to war and came back totally screwed up and now is on his own, he has accepted that he is now Bipolar and just wants help putting his life back together.
Sorry so long, but you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY need to think about what you are doing and no offense to recruiters, but they have numbers they have to meet (certain number of enlistments per month) and are always more than willing to "over look" or allow you to fail to disclose something that would otherwise disqualify you. It happens everyday (granted not all are like that). DO NOT BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC. Haven't you read all the articles in Time, NY Times, People, and any local paper about the problems our troops are having and how they are failing to get the help they need (but are afraid to ask for).
Tread carefully my friend.
Sign me a mom who saw her son's hopes and dreams disappear and is on his own to pick up the pieces.
poster:Smeegle
thread:450757
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050202/msgs/454196.html