Admiral Mullen highlighted the need for caring for our wounded warriors upon their return home from active duty abroad. In that, he addressed an injury that often escapes the naked eye: mental and emotional trauma, such as PTSD. An increasing number of young servicemen are returning home with this type of injury and many argue that it is one of the leading contributors in the alarming rise in suicide rates of young enlisted men and women.
Much of the 10-12-100 Campaign focus thus far has been centered on those servicemen and women who are dealing with debilitating physical injuries as they transition from active-duty back to civilian life. I would be remised, however, if I did not focus equal attention on those who are dealing with traumatic mental and emotional injuries as a direct result of their service to our nation. Admiral Mullen brought this to the fore this morning when he highlighted the current deficit in qualified healthcare professionals, who are able and ready to serve the needs of the aforementioned servicemen.
In Mullen's words, "...some say that there is a national shortage of qualified healthcare professionals able to treat the needs of PTSD-related injuries among our troops. I do not subscribe to that, and I find that unacceptable." The Chairman went on to say that we need to not only actively recruit more mental healthcare professionals (MHP) but that perhaps we should begin to reach outside the normal channels of recruitment and seek the pro-bono services of such MHPs in order to meet the growing needs of our troops.
At my table, I sat between White House veteran Tim McBride and Hill defense reporter Roxana Tiron. Across from us on the other side of the circular table were Hill publisher Fran McMahon and Editor-in-Chief, Hugo Gurdon. The audience was comprised of Hill staffers, young veterans, older veterans, lobbyists, and everyday patriots. Among those in attendance were a few Vietnam veterans whose children were now preparing for their first or second deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Mullen pointed out in answering one of their questions, "I always like to take a moment to thank the parents of our young military soldiers. Thank you for providing a home environment that encouraged and emboldened them to serve their country."
I found that statement to be rather poignant. Admiral Mullen carefully and directly answered the comments and concerns of the audience members in a Q+A manner that was as elegant as it was informative. I've always been an admirer of the Chairman, and after hearing him speak in person this morning, that well-founded respect has widened even further.
I was honored to sit in the audience and hear his unscripted, heart-felt remarks and his patience and honesty in answering the questions from the audience. Indeed, the Admiral also reminded me that those injured veterans who walk among us, are not merely relegated to the superficial physical impairments that we see on an everyday basis; they are also the deep-seeded mental and emotional trauma that can only be understood by those who have stood on the front lines of combat, where the bullets are flying and your comrade's life is in your hands.
Duty to God and to Country has never had a more palatable and visceral interpretation.
I will continue to focus my efforts on our troops in recognition of all they have done for us. Their scars of service run deep; some on the surface level, some are buried a little deeper. All were forged in the fire of duty, service and sacrifice.
Doug Eldridge
President
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