Veteran's PTSD Cross-country Horseback Trip Change His Own Life Too

Vet Crosses Country on Horseback for PTSD Awareness
NBC San Diego
By Liberty Zabala
December 1, 2014

A Marine Corps veteran has come home to Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California, after traveling across the country entirely on horseback.

Matt Littrell is riding to raise awareness for veterans dealing with mental, emotional and physical pain. Bronze Stars, Navy Cross Awarded for Bravery in Afghanistan.

After two combat tours in Iraq, coming home was one of the darkest parts of Littrell’s journey — until he got on his horse to ride 2,600 miles to fight for his brothers in arms going through the same thing.

“One step at a time. One mile at a time. It’s a journey you’ll take and you’ll find it,” Littrell said.

As this part of his journey ends, a new one begins.

“We actually got engaged on the trail, and we do plan to get married when we get home,” said Littrell’s fiancé Kristen Fuhrmann. “I fell in love with the honesty and the person.”

Every mile along the way, he’ll keep fighting.

“I told these guys we’d ride for them and we will and we did,” Littrell said.

So far, he has raised $82,000 for the Semper Fi Fund.
read more here

A Marine Corps veteran has come to Camp Pendleton after traveling across the country on horseback to raise awareness for veterans dealing with physical and emotional pain. NBC 7's Liberty Zabala reports on Nov. 30, 2014. (Published Monday, Dec 1, 2014)

Vietnam Veterans of America PTSD Suicide Town Hall

Town Hall to address veteran PTSD, suicide
KNOX News
News Sentinel staff
Dec 1, 2014

They fought overseas on behalf of their country.

Now, back home, there’s another battle to take on: suicide and PTSD.

On Tuesday, the Tennessee State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America will sponsor a “PTSD and Suicide Prevention Town Hall Meeting” for all veterans, active-duty military members and their families.

From 6-9 p.m. at Washington Pike United Methodist Church, representatives from various agencies will summarize the history of PTSD and its causes; talk about symptoms and treatment options; share resources for those with PTSD, including VA benefits; and answer questions.

Actress/model Jennifer O’Neill will speak about the Hillenglade Horses Healing Heroes programs, and veterans who have PTSD but “fought and are winning their battles” will offer testimonials, said Barry Rice, president of the council.

Rice said statistics show 22 veterans a day — 8,030 year — complete suicide, which doesn’t take into account the number who attempt it. More than 70 percent, he said, were 50 or older. But the number of male veterans younger than 30 who commit suicide has jumped 44 percent, he said.
read more here

Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics OEF and OIF Plus PTSD

Document: Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics
Published: December 1, 2014
(Linked from USNI News)

Rs 22452

So much for the DOD saying that most of the soldiers with PTSD had not been deployed. Look at these numbers.

2000-2014 None Deployed 36,321 while deployed was 128,496.

Take a good long look at the rest of the numbers.

Then remember that less than half of the troops/veterans with PTSD seek help.  Now you have a better idea of what the numbers really are for those we sent.

Vietnam Veteran Chuck Hagel Did Right Thing for PTSD Veterans

Vietnam-era soldiers eligible for discharge upgrades
Army Times
By Jim Tice
Staff writer
December 1, 2014

The secretary of the Army has ordered liberal consideration be given to Vietnam-era soldiers who received downgraded discharges even though they may have been suffering from post-traumatic stress.
(Photo: Sgt. 1st Class James K.F. Dung/Army)

Vietnam-era soldiers who faced punitive discharges because they suffered from post-traumatic stress are to be given liberal consideration to requests for discharge upgrades.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh issued this directive to the Army Review Boards Agency, the service's highest level of administrative review for personnel actions.

McHugh's Nov. 3 directive was prompted by an earlier order from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel which acknowledged that thousands of soldiers may have been kicked out of service because of behavior problems related to post-traumatic stress.

Upgraded discharges for soldiers who received a less than honorable discharge could lead to the award of previously denied benefits, such as disability pay, separation pay and GI Bill eligibility.

The ARBA is comprised of several boards for considering the claims of soldiers and former soldiers who appeal the filing of unfavorable information in their personnel records.

PTSD was not recognized as a potential behavior altering medical condition until 1980, which means that disability claims and discharge upgrades based on claims of the condition routinely were denied by government agencies, to include the Army review boards.

Hagel's September instruction to the services followed by several months a federal court class action suit filed by a group veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America that claims the military systematically denied discharge upgrade applications based on claims of PTSD.

The suit estimated that about one-third of the 250,000 other-than-honorable discharges issued to Vietnam era veterans may have been PTSD-related.
read more here

Iraq Veteran Heading to Congress Goes to VA

It really seems like this is the guy we've been waiting for. Two tours of Iraq and speaks his own mind about the lack of support politicians gave the troops and then, wow, he actually goes to the VA for medical care. He knows what it is like!

D.C. rookie Seth Moulton takes a veteran’s approach
Sets up role in Congress
Boston Globe
By Cat Zakrzewski
GLOBE CORRESPONDENT
DECEMBER 01, 2014

DREW ANGERER FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Representative-elect Seth Moulton took a run on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — Seth Moulton wants to ensure that Congress has a vigorous debate over authorizing troops in Iraq and Syria. He is looking for a full team of staffers and vowing to help fix the bureaucratic morass at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

But first, the Democrat has to find his office.

Moulton, sitting unnoticed in gym shorts and sneakers at a French cafe near the Capitol one recent day, reflected on the whirlwind of activity since he won election in November — from selecting office space to his efforts to land a spot on one of the House’s more coveted committees, on Armed Services.

One of the first things he hopes to do, Moulton said, is add pressure on the Republican-led Congress to vote before any combat troops are sent to Iraq.

“I saw some of the consequences of failed leadership in Washington,” said Moulton, a former Marine who served four tours in Iraq. “I think the politicians didn’t know what they were doing when they got us into Iraq, and then they didn’t have our backs when we were there.”

Moulton, 36, said he hopes to play a role in reforming VA health care, which came under fire earlier this year due to a backlog in disability claims.

He currently receives his medical care through the VA, and he said he plans to continue to do so even after he is sworn in to the 114th Congress. Even though he trusts his own primary care physician, he said the bureaucracy was flawed.

“I know what it’s like to wait in line two hours just to have your blood drawn,” he said. “People who should have been fired a long time ago are still on the job.”
read more here