Abandonment of the Military Family

Kaplow, J. B., Layne, C. M., Saltzman, W. R., Cozza, S. J., & Pynoos, R. S. (2013). Using Multidimensional Grief Theory to Explore the Effects of Deployment, Reintegration, and Death on Military Youth and Families. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev, 16(3), 322-340. doi:10.1007/s10567-013-0143-1

I am part of a large family, I lived with a mother, father, three older sisters, and a younger brother. We lived in the large city of Los Angeles, California. There was no apparent infidelity that I was ever aware of in my family, but yet there seemed to be a small bit of the same crass attitude that my mother had for my father. He was stricken with a disability and unable to provide in the same manner she was accustomed. All of my siblings that could helped out in any way they could. The point is that we were a family that pulled together when needed. When I left for the military odyssey, I had no idea I would be placed in harm’s way. It was peace time. I made a surprise appearance one Christmas eve, my family was under the impression that I was still aboard ship and that I would be home in January for a visit. I secretly showed up on the front porch in full uniform, my sea bag slung over my shoulder. Holding back my own tears of excitement. I opened the front door and I stood there. For a brief moment frozen in time was my whole family, my beloved

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers.

As a child of a Vietnam Veteran, I have witnessed my father and go through many things to receive adequate support. My father suffers from progressive prostate cancer, Post-traumatic stress disorder, and a depraved back. These chronic illnesses have forced him to retire early and seek help from the government for financial support. He has repeatedly seek help for the Veteran Affairs applying for unemployment disability and have been turn down several times because his illnesses are considered to be common for Vietnam Vets. This has been hard on my family caring for him and finding an extra source of income to sustain living. Living in a rural area there are no Veteran Affair offices, therefore, we have to travel two and a half hours and

Veterans have sacrificed so much for us, just so we can be free. They leave their families and friends to go serve. When leaving, their family can be sad and worried, but they might not come back. So much stress is taking on, but it's all for a good cause therefore, we show our gratitude by providing goods and services to help the friends and families.

Adding something a good BRAT friend stated about this picture in another group she shared it in,

In a qualitative research article titled, “Resilience and Knowledge of PTSD Symptoms in Military Spouses. Awareness of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) extends the criteria for a diagnosis increase, additional cases are being disclosed among U.S. military veterans. Since the attack on September 11th on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, more than two million troops have been deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Included in the two million troops, it is roughly calculated that over 800,000 troops have seen the battlefield at least two times if not more throughout the years which they have served time of service. From results of many conflicts being fought by the United

In 2004 Operation Iraqi Freedom became the deadliest American military conflict since the Vietnam War. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and Vietnam have brought heightened awareness of military related PTSD, as well as the relationship and family problems that accompany the disorder. Studies have shown that 11% - 20% of Veterans that served in Iraq and 6% - 11% of veterans that were deployed to Afghanistan have suffered from PTSD. Veterans of operation Desert Storm suffer at a rate of about 10% and Vietnam veteran estimates have been as high as 30% – 50%.

The podcast, NPR Programs: Talk of the Nation- Faris Family Fights for Their Military Marriage, was enlightening and informative. I would like to say that I commend Command Sgt. Maj. Chris and Lisa Faris, for the service they are providing and having the courage to talk about their life story so the world can get a glimpse of the strain that military has on service members and their spouses. Command Stg. Maj. Chris Faris and Lisa Frais elaborated that marriage isn’t easy and that couples have to really put forth an effort if they want their marriage to work. This interview discussed the reason behind Command Sgt. Maj. Chris and Lisa Faris deciding to share their struggles within their marriage, how the experience of combat affected their marriage, how their struggles in their marriage affected their children, treatment that’s available, and how social workers can assist.

PTSD is an incapacitating emotional roller coaster that affects the lives of many who have experienced a traumatic event. Not only does the concern of PTSD impact survivor’s lives, but it can have an impact on the entire family or those who are close to the individual with the disorder. “PTSD can take a heavy toll on the family if you let it. It can be hard to understand why your loved one won’t open up to you” (Segal, Smith, 2014). The traumatic stress can trigger episodes where the survivor re-experiences the emotional event, causing intimacy issues, trust and social issues with their relationships. How both cultures and communities impacted me that may be perceived as normal vs. abnormal? How has stigma played a role in my mental illness?

PTSD affects an individual’s relationship with family or friends. These effects the person would get is a problem with trust, closeness, communication and problem solving with livelihood within the family, and may cause a divide within the family of how to control the symptoms of PTSD (PTSD: National Center for PTSD, 2007). The community gets affected with PTSD by examples such as Natural Disasters in which it can lead to more violence, unemployment or other bad effects (PTSD: National Center for PTSD, 2011).

During Phil’s deployment Sherry has taken on the role of a single parent, raising two children. She is experiences stress of maintaining the household, rearing the children, while trying to keep Phil optimistic about returning home to his family. It is common for the family to experience feelings of anxiety, stress and abandonment (Laser & Stephens, 2010). Phil has been deployed for the second time and it has taken a toll her Sherry. She moved off base for additional support and seeks therapy to help her understand and control her feelings of anxiety she is having since Phil has been deployed. Solution focused therapy is goal oriented it focuses on the outcome of therapy versus the problem that encouraged the client to seek help (Gladding,

MILITARY SPOUSES AND THE CHALLENGES OF MILITARY Abstract Army life is unique to say the least. The subculture, with its own language, rules, acronyms and ways, is foreign to the general population. The Global war on Terrorism has brought more awareness and certainly more curiosity about Army life. (Krajeski, 2006, 2008, p. 5).Today, more than ever, the military spouse is a pioneer who travels to strange lands, rears her

Ever since adolescence, I’ve always said “ I would never date or marry someone in the military.” Having stayed consistent, I was convinced that nothing could change my stance, but lone and behold I was wrong. Upon watching military movies or seeing military couples online I avoided the impact of becoming separated from my lover for months at a time, but it wasn’t enough to stop me from falling in love with the man of my dreams. Although us military wives are heavily criticized, i think it is important for people to know the sacrifices us women make so that our husbands can continue to keep our country safe.

When looking back at my home, I wondered if the next family to live in it would have a happy life or if it would be has heart wrenching as mine. I should've known that he would have caused me pain, but I didn’t listen to Macy or Dr. Edwards I knew what I felt and blocked it out if anyone told me different. It started about 10 years ago I was on my usual afternoon walk along the cliff of Moher and I saw him, Lucas. He had a uniform on, so I guessed he was in the military. Stopping to watch him I noticed the thoughtful look on his face. It only intrigued me more. I got to know Lucas that summer and before he got deployed again we promised to write each other letters.