Employers worried about hiring veterans with PTSD needlessly

Why are employers so worried about hiring veterans? It seems as if it is because of PTSD more than anything else on the surface but after all these years, they should know better.

If they are afraid because of news reports centered on a veteran with PTSD, then they need to know that there have been over 2 million men and women deployed into Iraq and Afghanistan yet the news reports do not reflect such a huge number. Why? Simple. They are the least likely to commit a crime, do any harm, or cause any trouble. Yep! That's the truth.

While I track reports across the country it is easy to see the growing number of veterans in trouble but because I track these reports I know they are more attributed to the increase number of veterans than anything else. PTSD is nothing to be afraid of. I would be more afraid of hiring someone off the streets knowing absolutely nothing about them than hiring a veteran I know cared enough to risk his/her own life for the sake of someone else. I would be more afraid of hiring someone out for themselves than hiring a veteran unafraid of long hours, working hard and able to be part of a team.

Face it! After almost 30 years of living with my own PTSD veteran husband, I'd hire someone like him in a heartbeat!

Veterans job fair in Tampa draws hundreds
6:10 PM, Feb 23, 2012
Written by
Eric Glasser
Tampa, Fla. -- You might think leadership, and problem-solving skills would make our military veterans some of the most sought-after workers in the nation.

Instead, young people returning from duty have one of the highest unemployment rates out there.

Following two tours of duty, one in Afghanistan, another in Kosovo, CuRay Walker is looking for a job. Despite his training and skill-set, it's been rough going.

Veterans in Walkers age group face an unemployment rate more than twice the national average.

"It's very difficult," said Walker. "I actually started looking for jobs back in July - trying to find something and nothing has panned out so far."

At a Veterans Job Fair in Tampa today, there was some discussion about one potential reason for the disparity, which many don't like to acknowledge - or talk about.

A survey by the Society of Human Resources found 46 percent of employers worry that post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental issues would be a problem in the workplace. The actual number of occurrences, however, is only about 13 percent.
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Man in Afghan army uniform kills 2 U.S. troops

Man in Afghan army uniform kills 2 U.S. troops
By Amir Shah and Patrick Quinn - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 23, 2012 11:10:34 EST
KABUL, Afghanistan — President Obama apologized Thursday for the burning of copies of the Muslim holy book at a U.S. military base this week, as violent protests raging nationwide led a man dressed in an Afghan army uniform to kill two U.S. troops.

The two NATO service members were shot and killed in eastern Afghanistan by a man dressed in an Afghan army uniform. Both troops were Americans, according to a U.S. official, who confirmed their nationalities on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the information.

Mohammad Hassan, an official in Nangarhar province where the shooting took place, said the two Americans were shot by an Afghan soldier after soldiers fired in the air to disperse protesters outside a U.S. base in the Khogyani district. Two protesters were also killed in the ensuing gunfire, Afghan officials said.
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3 Fort Hood soldiers awarded for valor in combat

3 soldiers awarded for valor in combat
Silver Star and two Army Commendations presented
10:05 AM, Feb. 23, 2012
Written by
Philip Grey
Leaf-Chronicle

FORT CAMPBELL, KY. — In a ceremony that highlighted the ability of young soldiers to take on great responsibilities in crisis, three members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team were decorated for valor at Fort Campbell on Wednesday afternoon.

Spc. Breck J. Kadlec of 2nd Battalion “No Slack,” 327th Infantry Regiment, was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in the Kunar Valley, Afghanistan, on March 29, 2011.

Staff Sgt. Brett A. Guy and Spc. Brandon McIntosh, also of 2-327th Infantry, were awarded Army Commendation Medals for Valor.
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Midair helicopter collision kills 7 Marines in Arizona

Midair helicopter collision kills 7 Marines
From Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent
updated 11:13 AM EST, Thu February 23, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Spokesman: Marines onboard were preparing to deploy in Afghanistan
The Marine Corps says the collision occurred during routine training
A UH-1Y helicopter and an AH-1W helicopter crash midair
Authorities are investigating the collision

(CNN) -- Seven U.S. Marines have been killed in the midair collision of two U.S. military helicopters in southern Arizona, officials said Thursday.

The crash occurred during routine training operations Wednesday night at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Maj. Carl B. Redding, Jr. of the Marine Corps said in a statement.

The collision involved an AH-1W "Super Cobra" attack helicopter and a UH-1Y "Huey" utility chopper, which the military has long used for a variety of tasks. They were part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Authorities were investigating the collision, which occurred in a remote area of a training range complex.

"We won't know exactly what happened until the investigation is complete, and we can't make any assumptions right now," said 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley, a Marine Corps spokeswoman.

The Marines onboard were preparing for deployment to Afghanistan, she said.
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UPDATE

Camp Pendleton Marines Killed in Yuma Crash Identified
The Marine Corps have released the names of the six local Marines killed in Tuesday's crash.
By Daniel Woolfolk
February 24, 2012

Maj. Thomas A. Budrejko, 37, of Montville, Conn.

Capt. Michael M. Quin, 28, of Purcellville, Va.

Sgt. Justin A. Everett, 33, of Clovis, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Corey A. Little, 25, of Marietta, Ga.

Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott, 21, of Spokane, Wash.

Capt. Benjamin N. Cerniglia, 31, of Montgomery, Ala.

Capt. Nathan W. Anderson, 32, of Amarillo, Texas

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FAMILIES, FRIENDS MOURN MARINES
One of those killed in accident was recently engaged, another was expecting a baby
By Matthew T. Hall & Nathan Max • U-T
Bonded by tragedy and buoyed by pride, loved ones of the Marines from a San Diego-based air wing who died in a helicopter training accident Wednesday shared their stories Friday.

One lived in San Marcos with his wife of two years and was expecting a baby. Another had just celebrated his 11-year wedding anniversary. A third was the son of a pastor. A fourth had flown three tours in Iraq and was preparing for what would have been his second deployment to Afghanistan. A fifth was recently engaged.

Six of the Marines were from Camp Pendleton. A seventh was from the Marine air station in Yuma.

As friends, family members and compatriots grieved, officials said it could take weeks to determine what caused an AH-1W Cobra and a UH-1Y Huey to crash in midair during an exercise over Imperial County, killing all seven aboard Wednesday night.

The weather was mild and the skies were clear that night. The helicopters went down about 8 p.m. during routine training on a military range between California and Arizona, about a 90-minute drive from Yuma Marine Corps Air Station.

The Marines came from the four corners of the United States.
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Parents of Dead Soldiers Say US Military Needs to Come Clean

Seroquel or Suicide? Parents of Dead Soldiers Say US Military Needs to Come Clean
Thursday, 23 February 2012
John Lasker
“If you know the one thing that causes people to commit suicide, please let us know because we don’t know” – General Peter Chiarelli

In the aftermath of Vietnam War, 150,000 veterans from that war committed suicide, meaning more soldiers died after the war than from the actual war itself, say experts. In 2010, more enlisted US soldiers committed suicide (468) than died in combat (462), as reported by mainstream media watchdog Project Censored, which has designated military suicides as the media’s top-censored story for 2010 and 2011. In November, the VA said 18 veterans a day are taking their own life.

The suicide trend among American troops and veterans is repeating itself. But are the reasons behind today’s military suicides different than what happened after the US left Vietnam?

A growing number of soldier advocates, mostly parents of deceased soldiers, have tried to tell the military and Congress what may be behind today’s suicide surge.

Some believe the military and the VA are over medicating troops and veterans with a combination of antidepressants and antipsychotics. This is a drug cocktail that has tragic side effects, such as sudden cardiac arrest, and because the military and Big Pharma are desperate to keep these side effects a secret, a convenient explanation to get both of the hook is “suicide.”
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Army reported 16 potential suicides for January and 6 citizen soldiers

Army Releases January Suicide Data
February 22, 2012

The Army released suicide data today for the month of January. During January, among active-duty soldiers, there were 16 potential suicides: five have been confirmed as suicide and 11 remain under investigation.

For December, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, eight have been confirmed as a suicide and three remain under investigation.

During January, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were six potential suicides (five Army National Guard and one Army Reserve): none have been confirmed as suicide and six remain under investigation.

For December, among that same group, the Army reported five potential suicides. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of six cases (four Army National Guard and two Army Reserve). Six were confirmed as suicides and none remain under investigation.
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Corporal James M. Dixon III, survived 3 tours in Iraq, passed away at home

Some will read this and not notice what a powerful obituary this is.

Corporal James M. Dixon III, 30 of Baxley, Ga. died Sunday, February 19, 2012 at his residence from events related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder received while serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps with 3 tours in Iraq. He was a Purple Heart Recipient in addition to the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Meritorious Mast, Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Certificate of Commendation, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He graduated from Appling County High School in the top 3 in his class and went on to Georgia Southern University to receive a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He enjoyed his friends, dog, nieces and military family.

This family lost someone they loved, but also someone they were proud of and unashamed to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That's powerful. 30 years ago when I got into all of this, no one was talking about PTSD, as if there was anything to be ashamed of. We've come this far from there and it is a wonderful thing. Combat PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of!

Someone sent this in an email and it is very moving.


Here's the story on what happened

Another Marine Iraq Veteran with PTSD shot by SWAT team

Army Sergeant among those denied PTSD at Madigan, actually does have it

Army sergeant was accused of 'exaggerating' the stress of war
Fourteen war veterans get independent reviews. He and five others are confirmed to have PTSD.
By Kim Murphy
February 22, 2012, 5:56 p.m.
Reporting from Seattle—
Stephen Davis spent months after returning from Iraq trying to explain to U.S. Army therapists what was wrong. The nightmares. The anxiety when there was nothing to be anxious about. The bouts of confusion that drove his wife, Kimberly, crazy — until she remembered he wasn’t the same man who’d left for war.

“I’ve been married to my husband almost 19 years. I have not seen the husband I know back yet," she said. "I’ve been waiting two years for him to come back, and he’s still not back.”

On Wednesday, though, the couple announced that their most perplexing battle — trying to convince the Army that something was seriously wrong — was over. Amid an investigation into charges that the Army’s Madigan Healthcare System hospital in Washington state has been reversing legitimate diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder to save money, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced that Davis was one of 14 service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord whose cases had received new independent reviews.

“I think it is deeply disconcerting and should be to everyone in this country that it seems clear that the diagnoses that these soldiers were given [were] based on how much money it might cost this country if they were given a diagnosis of PTSD, rather than doing what needed to be done to make sure they got the correct care,” Murray said at a Seattle news conference.

Davis was among six soldiers notified Tuesday and Wednesday that an independent review by mental health officials at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center had confirmed they suffer from PTSD. Walter Reed physicians found that eight others have behavioral conditions other than PTSD, the Army’s Western Region Medical Command said in a statement.
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VA Hospital shooting victim, suspect were neighbors

VA Hospital shooting victim, suspect were neighbors
Mark Holmberg
Reporter
11:31 p.m. EST, February 22, 2012

BLACKSTONE, Va (WTVR)- The fatal shooting at Richmond’s McGuire Veterans Medical Center Wednesday morning allegedly involved a custodial worker there from Blackstone who inexplicably fired a pistol at a neighbor he had brought there for a regular cancer treatment, his girlfriend told CBS-6 News.

James Stephenson Lee, an Army veteran receiving cancer treatments, was struck in the head and the eye during the 7:15 a.m. shooting on the parking lot outside of the vast South Richmond facility. He was taken to VCU Medical Center, where his family said he was put on life support but showed no brain activity. Life support was removed sometime after 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A VCU Medical Center spokesman said he died between 8 and 10 p.m.

State troopers stopped Cornelius I. Hayes, 55, at the wheel of the blue pickup they had been riding in a little after the shooting near I-295 and Route 10. On his lap was a revolver holding two bullets and three spent cartridges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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McGuire VA Medical Center shooting suspect has criminal past
WTVR.com Staff and Sandra Jones
8:50 p.m. EST, February 22, 2012

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Virginia State troopers arrested the suspect in a Wednesday morning shooting at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, said Richmond Police spokesman Gene Lepley.

Law enforcement officials from several jurisdictions, including the FBI, rushed to the scene.
Investigators said Cornelius Hayes opened fire, hitting James Lee, in the head and left eye before taking off in this 2005 Ford Explorer SUV.

"A trooper in Charles City county noticed the vehicle travelling down Route 5 and called in the suspect's vehicle," said Sgt. Thomas Molnar with Virginia State Police.

After a brief pursuit through four localities, Virginia State Police stopped Hayes near a WaWa gas station off Route 10 in Chesterfield.

"He waited to pull over the vehicle until other law enforcement officials could assist him with that arrest," said Molnar.
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Army investigates preferential PTSD treatment

Army investigates preferential PTSD treatment
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 22, 2012

The Army is investigating its behavioral health facilities in Europe, including those at the renowned Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, to determine whether some soldiers receive preferential treatment after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The office of Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho is reviewing whether personnel with PTSD who are able to return to duty had better access to care and were offered a wider array of treatments than those with PTSD who are likely headed for medical discharge.

The review comes on the heels of an Army investigation at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington state to determine whether a team of physicians — known as forensic psychiatrists — improperly overturned PTSD diagnoses after examining case files of least 14 soldiers.

The review at Landstuhl and 16 facilities in Belgium, Germany and Italy began after “concerns were expressed about a perceived difference in treatment options” at Landstuhl, said Army Medical Command spokeswoman Maria Tolleson.

Army officials said late last year that the service faces a readiness crisis as it deals with an impending drawdown. Of its more than 600,000 active and mobilized forces, nearly 15 percent are considered non-deployable.

In November, 47,000 soldiers were unfit for duty because of wounds, injuries or illnesses; 23,000 were on limited duty, many for mental health concerns; and more than 18,000 were being processed for medical discharge through the integrated disability evaluation system, according to Army data.

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