[FOR OCTOBER] Marines & Families of Marines Take Note (Copy)

October is Cancer Awareness month, so I thought discussing an issue that not all Marines and their families know about was warranted. Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune North Carolina has been linked to multiple medical conditions including various kinds of cancer. I was talking to Josh about some of his health issues he had been fighting for years. I did not put Josh’s time in the Marines and his illness together until I ran across the contaminated water issue at Lejeune while doing research for another project I was working on. It appears Marines and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune during a 34-year period had been exposed to contaminated water. I found out that Josh was stationed at Lejeune for his entire 4 years in the Corps. I talked to him about what I had discovered and that this could be a part of his medical issues and that he should check it out.  

The years Marines and their family were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are from 1953 to 1987. As in the past with issues, it took 30 years for the Department of the Navy, Marines, and the VA to admit there was a major health problem concerning Marines and their families assigned to Lejeune. On January 13, 2017, congress gave the VA permission to issue a new rule creating a presumption that certain diseases are eligible for disability benefits. These benefit’s involves Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days (cumulative) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and their families. For Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, we know what its like to have a presumptive issue. It’s no fun fighting the VA so be prepared to deal with a long, drawn out bureaucracy.    

As we all know, families are not allowed to seek medical care at the VA. Families that served with their Marine at Camp Lejeune during the designated times need to be aware of the presumptive heath issues. By law, the VA can only compensate for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. After a family member has been diagnosed with a presumptive illness, other health plans have paid their part, the VA will pick up the out of pocket costs. It is important that the family members primary care physician know about Camp Lejeune and the possible illness linked to the time spent there. This includes the children who lived on the base during the timeframe. This rule is not the VA’s fault, its congress’. By law, only congress can approve the VA to see dependents even if the military is the cause of the illness.

Remember managing your expectations is imperative when dealing with the VA. It is not fair that the military placed you in the position you are in, but it is not the person’s fault who’s working with you either.  When dealing with a bureaucracy like the VA, you can easily get frustrated and give up. Even if you do not trust the VA or like them, it is imperative you get on the Camp Lejeune contaminated water registry, if not for your health but for your family’s health. If you or your family were stationed at Camp Lejeune anytime from 1953 to 1987, please act. The instructions tell you to enroll on-line, I would go to the VA in person and get on the registry to ensure you get documentation.      

VETERANS ENROLL IN VA HEALTH CARE

• Go to the VA. Have your DD-214. If you have documentation of your service at Lejeune take it also.

• Inform VA that you served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days anytime in the period of August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. If you are already enrolled contact your local VA health care facility at their website http://www.va.gov/ directory/guide/ to sign up for the Camp Lejeune Program and receive VA care.

• Not yet enrolled? Apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction or call toll-free at 1-877-222-8387.

FAMILY MEMBERS GATHER DOCUMENTS

• Show your relationship to a Veteran, such as a marriage license or birth certificate.

• The VA will assist you with verifying residency on Camp Lejeune during the covered timeframe. GATHER QUALIFYING EXPENSE RECEIPTS

• APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT

• Apply online at https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov or call toll-free 1- 866-372-1144.

QUALIFYING HEALTH CONDITIONS INCLUDE:

• Bladder cancer

• Lung cancer                

• Hepatic steatosis                      

• Breast cancer               

• Multiple myeloma                   

• Miscarriage

• Esophageal cancer                   

• Myelodysplastic syndromes

• Neurobehavioral effects           

• Kidney cancer

• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma      

• Renal toxicity

• Leukemia                                

• Female infertility

• Scleroderma

For questions or comments, we can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Should the President Pardon War Criminals?

I had a retired soldier in my office other day. Carl was livid that the President was even considering pardoning someone who committed war crimes. Carl is one of those soldiers who has retired from his duty and believes society has gone downhill and lost its morality. As a soldier and the son of a career Army veteran he struggles because people do not hold true to their word, values, and morals.  Carl feels those who have committed war crimes should pay for that crime on both sides. That brought up a good question and one to ponder. Should those who commit war crimes be pardoned? From a psychological issue, it becomes a different thought. Things happen in war that scar almost everyone involved. I can see where someone would psychologically snap under certain circumstances and do something they normally would not do, still is it right to kill someone who is detained, in US custody, and suspected of being an insurgent?

Carl believes that if the war criminals are pardoned it will send a message to the world that the United States has lost their values and moral compass. He also worries it will have an ill effect on how our troops are treated in the future when their captured, I can see his point, but I also can see why a pissed off troop can want to enact revenge on someone who just killed their friend. Carlos spent his entire time in the Army training his soldiers the importance of following the rules and orders. Carl is worried that by pardoning the war criminals it will give soldiers the idea that they can do what they want in combat, orders will not be followed, and the battlefield will become a free for all allowing soldiers to kill indiscriminately without due process.  

It is true that today’s battlefield is different. We are not fighting a conventional war; we are fighting a war where the enemy is elusive, resourceful, and organized, the enemy can come from anywhere. They use un-conventual tactics such as improvised explosive devices (IED’s), suicide bombers, and children with suicide vests. Often, they do not fight in the open, they are hidden using technology to their benefit using cell phones to set off explosive devices from a distance. The enemy does not see life as we do. Our enemy look’s at life differently, using our moral compass against us.  They torture and kill our troops who they capture, causing us to want to follow them down the road to immorality so they can use the propaganda against us. I would find it easy to be willing to harm or kill the enemy once they are captured, especially if their believed to be or are the one who killed one of my troops or friends. It would be easy to take that step when your adrenaline is up and in the heat of the moment. Psychologically it is difficult to walk away and not commit the war crime when someone you cared about was killed by the individual in question. I can see where someone could take that step even though it is against Geneva Convention rules where those captured and suspected of being an active insurgent are protected against murder, torture, as well as cruel, humiliating or degrading treatment. But it is an unlawful step to take and can have severe consequences for themselves and future troops sent into the combat zone. The question needed asking… is it worth the cost? Revenge does not help the cause. It only helps the person who is committing the war crime to feel better for a short time.

I agree with Carl; we should not allow a pardon to someone who has committed a war crime. By giving the pardon it tells our soldiers that they can do whatever they want on the battlefield and possibly be pardoned, it tells them it is OK. A pardon can cause the loss of discipline among the ranks creating a bigger problem. By giving the pardons, it also tells our enemy that we will let those who committed war crimes free. This in return gives the enemy permission to do what they want to our troops. It also tells our allies that we no longer have the moral high ground, putting their troops in a precarious position if their captured because they are allied with us. I truly do not think pardoning military troops who commit war crimes is a good idea, but I can see where some would feel it is the right thing and OK to do. The President stated they should not be punished for doing their job. In fact, one of the president’s personal attorneys is representing one of the people accused of committing war crime. The truth is those who are being brought to trial or have been brought to trial are being punished for not following orders, breaking UCMJ laws, and not following article 3 of the Geneva Convention. If they were doing their job, they would not have to be on trial or convicted.

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For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Marines & Families of Marines Take Note

October is Cancer Awareness month, so I thought discussing an issue that not all Marines and their families know about was warranted. Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune North Carolina has been linked to multiple medical conditions including various kinds of cancer. I was talking to Josh about some of his health issues he had been fighting for years. I did not put Josh’s time in the Marines and his illness together until I ran across the contaminated water issue at Lejeune while doing research for another project I was working on. It appears Marines and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune during a 34-year period had been exposed to contaminated water. I found out that Josh was stationed at Lejeune for his entire 4 years in the Corps. I talked to him about what I had discovered and that this could be a part of his medical issues and that he should check it out.  

The years Marines and their family were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are from 1953 to 1987. As in the past with issues, it took 30 years for the Department of the Navy, Marines, and the VA to admit there was a major health problem concerning Marines and their families assigned to Lejeune. On January 13, 2017, congress gave the VA permission to issue a new rule creating a presumption that certain diseases are eligible for disability benefits. These benefit’s involves Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days (cumulative) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and their families. For Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, we know what its like to have a presumptive issue. It’s no fun fighting the VA so be prepared to deal with a long, drawn out bureaucracy.    

As we all know, families are not allowed to seek medical care at the VA. Families that served with their Marine at Camp Lejeune during the designated times need to be aware of the presumptive heath issues. By law, the VA can only compensate for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. After a family member has been diagnosed with a presumptive illness, other health plans have paid their part, the VA will pick up the out of pocket costs. It is important that the family members primary care physician know about Camp Lejeune and the possible illness linked to the time spent there. This includes the children who lived on the base during the timeframe. This rule is not the VA’s fault, its congress’. By law, only congress can approve the VA to see dependents even if the military is the cause of the illness.

Remember managing your expectations is imperative when dealing with the VA. It is not fair that the military placed you in the position you are in, but it is not the person’s fault who’s working with you either.  When dealing with a bureaucracy like the VA, you can easily get frustrated and give up. Even if you do not trust the VA or like them, it is imperative you get on the Camp Lejeune contaminated water registry, if not for your health but for your family’s health. If you or your family were stationed at Camp Lejeune anytime from 1953 to 1987, please act. The instructions tell you to enroll on-line, I would go to the VA in person and get on the registry to ensure you get documentation.      

VETERANS ENROLL IN VA HEALTH CARE

• Go to the VA. Have your DD-214. If you have documentation of your service at Lejeune take it also.

• Inform VA that you served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days anytime in the period of August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. If you are already enrolled contact your local VA health care facility at their website http://www.va.gov/ directory/guide/ to sign up for the Camp Lejeune Program and receive VA care.

• Not yet enrolled? Apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction or call toll-free at 1-877-222-8387.

FAMILY MEMBERS GATHER DOCUMENTS

• Show your relationship to a Veteran, such as a marriage license or birth certificate.

• The VA will assist you with verifying residency on Camp Lejeune during the covered timeframe. GATHER QUALIFYING EXPENSE RECEIPTS

• APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT

• Apply online at https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov or call toll-free 1- 866-372-1144.

QUALIFYING HEALTH CONDITIONS INCLUDE:

• Bladder cancer

• Lung cancer                

• Hepatic steatosis                      

• Breast cancer               

• Multiple myeloma                   

• Miscarriage

• Esophageal cancer                   

• Myelodysplastic syndromes

• Neurobehavioral effects           

• Kidney cancer

• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma      

• Renal toxicity

• Leukemia                                

• Female infertility

• Scleroderma

For questions or comments, we can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Veterans Among Heroes in Las Vegas

Photo credits to: Prayitno (Flicker) License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Teaching psychology in college opens a lot of doors for conversation. After the events in Las Vegas we discussed the aftermath. One of my students had two friends shot at the concert in Las Vegas. As I talked to her you could see the shock in her eyes and the concern for her friends. In Southern California Las Vegas is one of the key places to go for entertainment. Many people in California like to visit "sin city" and let their hair down and have a good time. Las Vegas is known worldwide for its ability to put on good shows, and handle huge crowds that come for the gambling and entertainment. This was not the case a few weeks back when over 2200 descended upon Las Vegas to see a country music festival. These 2200 + concert goers are now cemented in history for being a part of the largest mass shooting in recent American history. No city could prepare for the events of October 1, 2017, not even Las Vegas. It was helpful to the concert goers and Las Vegas that there were a lot of veterans and off duty first responders in attendance or the situation would have been a lot worse.

Veterans continue to be a staple of helping during a crisis, and Las Vegas was another example. According to multiple witnesses some veterans stepped up showed their ability to act heroically and do what it takes to get the job done. During the terrorist attack at the Las Vegas music festival veterans sprang into action and provided help where they could, at times risking their own lives, or the possibility of going to jail. The horrific events in Las Vegas continues to remind us that there's evil everywhere, even in the United States. There were 2 veterans among the 58 killed, one was a veteran who survived a tour in Afghanistan. He is not the first, and probably will not be the last veteran to survive a war to be shot and killed at home. It is bothersome when someone survives a war and is killed at home where he should have been safe.       

All veterans, not just war veterans are trained in first aid and how to handle a stressful situation. Putting skills that were taught in the military to good use, more than likely saved a lot of lives. Veterans and first responders understood the need to provide help quickly and they did in mass. Once the veterans and first responders realized the noise from the shots were not a part of the show, and were actual bullets, they sprang into action, helping where they could. Veterans, first responders, and regular citizens started giving first aid while the shots were still being fired, putting themselves at risk, some people even lost their lives rendering aid to the fallen.   

Knowing what to do and how to handle stressful situations is what saved lives during the attack. Also doing what you “have to do” even if it is illegal, also saved multiple lives. The Veteran who “stole” the truck in Las Vegas to take the injured to the hospital is an example of how veterans think outside the box to make things happen. He took a chance that stealing a truck for a good reason would be ok with the owner, he was right. Thinking quick is a key to saving lives and many veterans have been in stressful situations and know what to do and how to respond when under attack.  

Continuing to serve the community is what many veterans do. Whether it is becoming a volunteer, first responder, police officer, nurse, doctor, or mental health clinician like myself it is done to help the public. If you look at any of the tragic situations that happens, there’s usually a veteran there to help, putting their skills to work and their lives on the line. When a crisis occurs, I can only hope there are veterans around to help, bringing their training to the forefront and saving lives. Veterans are trained to handle stressful situations and usually step up to the challenge when faced with a stressful life changing event. I would like to give a shout out to those veterans and first responders who continue to serve. By acting on their training, skills, and not running from stressful situations, makes us all proud to be veterans.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.