washingtonscene
ability determinations, and upgraded care members might need help and how posi-
for female veterans. tively to connect them with that help.
The symposium’s three discussion pan- Col. Kathy Platoni, USAR, a clinical psy-
els provided “ground-level” insight on the chologist, expressed her concern that many
effects of TBI, PTSD, and depression on servicemembers with psychological injuries
units, families, and caregivers and actions are reluctant to self-identify and are being
still needed to address them. sent back to the battlefi eld, which dramati-
Panel 1: Managing the Battlefield and cally raises their risk of increasingly serious
Beyond — A Leadership View impairment. “We need that warrior ethos
Moderated by Col. Roger Dimsdale, — about not leaving any fallen comrade be-
USA-Ret., a Distinguished Service Cross hind — on this topic, too,” she said.
recipient and former chief of staff of the Brockton Hunter, a veteran and attorney,
Senior Oversight Committee on DoD/VA said military leaders need to take another
Health Care, this panel explored challeng- look at discipline issues of troops with TBI
Health Care
es of unseen injuries for unit leaders. or PTSD. Hunter said civilian legal systems
Happenings
Col. Richard O’Connor, USA, who de- can take a veteran’s combat experience and
■ Check out MOAA’s
ployed as an armored cavalry squadron PTSD into account in ways that can lead to
Health Care Happenings
commander, said, “We’re supposed to train the record being expunged, “but the mili-
blog to stay updated on
as we fi ght, and our combat stress teams tary justice system is less forgiving.” the latest news regard-
don’t hook up with us until after we’ve de- Chief Master Sgt. James Franklin, USA,
ing national health care
ployed. … The stigma [associated with self- a group sergeant major in Afghanistan, said
reform and military and
VA health care issues at
identifying a need for help] is alive and well turnover between deployments impedes
www.moaa.org/health
and is a huge problem.” training and cohesiveness. Franklin ex-
carehappenings.
Col. Andrew McMannis, USMC, com- pressed concern for soldiers who “just
mander of the Training Command at check the blocks on the health assessment
Quantico, Va., said units are hiring full-time forms and say they have no problems, then
family support staff. McMannis expressed later get in trouble. … If they get a DUI, they
the need to train unit leaders, including get administrative action that will cause
offi cers and NCOs, to identify which unit them to be separated. We need to fi nd a
way to exercise some compassion,” he said.
Panel 2: Implications of Unseen Injuries:
How Do We Respond on the Homefront?
Moderated by USA Today reporter
Gregg Zoroya, this panel focused on post-
deployment issues.
Lt. Col. David Rabb, USAR, director
of psychological health, 63rd Readiness
Support Command, Moffett Field, Calif.,
asserted, “Outreach is the key. Community
heals; isolation kills. ... We have to educate
down to the lowest level on what troops
and families are going through and foster
collaboration among all available assets.”
Lt. Col. Cynthia Rasmussen, USAR, Re-
Adm. Michael Mullen, USN, chairman gional Support Command psychological
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, kicked off the director at Fort Snelling, Minn., works with
Defense Forum Washington on caring for the Minnesota Yellow Ribbon program.
wounded warriors. “My job is to help people who fall through
PHOTO: MICHAEL CARPENTER NOVEMBER 2009 MILITARY OFFICER 39
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