Keeping Tabs — 15 September

COMBAT, OPERATIONAL & POST-DEPLOYMENT STRESS/PTSD/TBI

• Sergeant major of the Army visits Fort Bragg, talks of own struggle with PTSD: (FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER, NC) — The Army’s top noncommissioned officer on Tuesday told Fort Bragg soldiers he suffered from post-combat stress, sought help and benefited.http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/09/14/1122575?sac=Home
• Almost One Third of Iraq/Afghanistan Women Veterans with PTSD Report Military Sexual Trauma, Researchers Find: (UNIV OF CA, SFRO) — Thirty-one percent of women veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder reported military sexual trauma (MST), in contrast to one percent of men with PTSD, according to a study led by Shira Maguen, PhD, a psychologist at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/09/10616/almost-one-third-iraq-afghanistan-women-veterans-ptsd-report-military-sexual

SUICIDE

• Suicide Survival: (DOD LIVE) — [Video Only] — Master Sergeant Kevin Carter shares his story of surviving suicide.  A couple of years ago, he was dealing with personal issues.  Over time, the issues built up and he didn’t seek help.  On September 14th, 2005, MSgt Carter cut himself to attempt to end his life. He talks about how he overcame his situation and asks other service members to speak out and get help. “There is no shame or dishonor in asking for help,” he said. http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/09/suicide-survival/

WOUNDED WARRIOR CARE/TREATMENT

• BRAC Goals Reached, New Walter Reed Looks to Future: (DOD NEWS) — With all its patients, staff and health care services moved to what is now known as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia, he now has set his sights on his next, post-BRAC goal.  “This is a new beginning,” he said. “We now have the opportunity here in the national capital region to form the first truly integrated regional delivery system within the military health system.”http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65333

WOUNDED WARRIOR RECOVERY

• Wounded warriors paddling for new life: (DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, ROCHESTER, NY) — Fast forward to Saturday. At least 40 teams of seven paddlers will participate in the 15th Annual Rochester River Challenge at Genesee Waterways; half the teams will have at least one person with a disability, including one team of seven Wounded Warriors — veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110915/NEWS0201/109150319/-1/columns/Wounded-warriors-paddling-new-life

“SEA OF GOOD WILL”

• WVU named ‘Military Friendly’ campus again: (DAILY ATHENAEUM, WVU) — West Virginia University has been named a “military friendly” school by the GI Jobs’ Military Friendly Schools recognition for the third consecutive year. “The GI Jobs Military Friendly Schools recognition is an excellent measure of how successful we are in supporting our veterans,” said Terry D. Miller, veteran advocate of Student Affairs. “We are pleased to have been named to this group for the past three years.” http://www.thedaonline.com/news/wvu-named-military-friendly-campus-again-1.2591150
• Group aims to help local Veterans find jobs and create businesses: (WVLT-TV, KNOXVILLE, TN) —  The debate on creating jobs continues at the federal level, and there’s a renewed focus to take care of Veterans in East Tennessee.  But, state officials and some local businesses are already working together to support the half a million vets in Tennessee. http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Group_aims_to_help_local_Veterans_find_jobs_and_create_businesses_129832273.html

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT

• Hiring bias linked to veterans’ joblessness: (ARMY TIMES) — The high unemployment rate for young veterans is largely the result of hiring discrimination against National Guard and reserve members, says the president and chief executive officer of a company that helps veterans find jobs.  http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-unemployment-reservists-hiring-bias-091411w/

HOMELESS VETERANS

• Rate Of Homeless Female Vets Rises Near Fort Bragg: (MORNING EDITION-NPR) — [Audio Only] — More than 200,000 women have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While their numbers are small compared to their male counterparts, many face the same struggles finding employment and affordable housing. In Fayetteville, N.C., home to the Army’s Fort Bragg, the number of homeless female veterans is rising rapidly. http://www.npr.org/2011/09/15/140490523/rate-of-homeless-female-vets-rises-in-fayetteville-n-c?ft=3&f=1006

JUDICIAL AFFAIRS

• More veterans are using PTSD as defense in criminal cases: (LA TIMES) — After a decade of combat overseas, growing numbers of veterans are relying on PTSD as a central element of their defenses in criminal cases. Stepp’s trial is being closely watched as one measure of just how far defense lawyers are able to push in arguing that the disorder influences veterans’ criminal behavior. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-ptsd-20110915,0,5747778,full.story
• County Council Establishes Veterans Treatment Court: (SEATTLE MEDIUM) — On Monday, The King County Council unanimously adopted an ordinance giving the green light to establish a new Veterans Treatment Court as a special unit of the County’s nationally-recognized Regional Mental Health Court. Based on other therapeutic court models, Veterans Treatment Court will help link veterans involved in the criminal justice system who are suffering from war-related trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), to treatment and support services. http://www.seattlemedium.com/News/article/article.asp?NewsID=110556&sID=4&ItemSource=L
• Veterans Court puts its focus on helping those in trouble: (THE OLYMPIAN, WA) — What has inspired the judge is the motivation of many of the veterans – and the six or seven who are on the waiting list to get into the program.  “If you came into court (on Wednesday) and sat through a session, you would say, ‘There is no way these people are criminals.’ They don’t seem the type,” Judge Buckley said. “They carry over that motivation and discipline they had in the military. http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/15/1800471/veterans-court-puts-its-focus.html

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

• Bill approved to make VA service-dog friendly: (ARMY TIMES) — A House committee has approved legislation that would allow service dogs to be used on any VA property or in any VA facility, including any facility or property receiving VA funding.http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-veterans-affairs-service-dogs-091211w/

OPINION/COMMENTARY

• Michelle Obama: Support our military families: (USATODAY) — No matter what the situation or how many directions they’re being pulled in, our military families always stand ready to serve their loved ones, their communities and our country.  After 10 years of war, it’s our turn to return their service and sacrifice with honor and appreciation of our own — and not just in word, but in deed. http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2011-09-15/michelle-obama-military-joining-forces/50403274/1
• Be Part of the Joining Forces Community Challenge: (WHITEHOUSE.GOV) — The First Lady and I encourage you to sign up for the challenge at JoiningForces.Challenge.gov.  Tell us about the ways you’re helping and honoring these brave families – or nominate someone in your community who is doing great work.  We can all make a difference in the life of a military family.  We want to thank those of you that are doing extraordinary work for our extraordinary heroes!  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/14/be-part-joining-forces-community-challenge