Dare to Know
The website below is an introduction to Dr. Rick Levy’s work on mind-body medicine. His book and TV show, Miraculous Health, provide steps for the reader to use to heal themselves from body and mind ailments.
http://drr-daretoknow.com/
The Coming Home Project
The Coming Home Project is a nonprofit organization led by veterans, psychotherapists and interfaith leaders committed to providing care, support and stress management tools for OEF/OIF veterans.
415-353-5363
http://www.cominghomeproject.net/ComingHome/
Army Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline
The Army started the hotline to offer wounded soldiers and family members a way to seek help and to resolve medical issues. The hotline also serves as an avenue for soldiers to voice their experiences with the medical care system.
1-800-984-8523
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)
WWP works to honor and empower wounded warriors by: raising awareness about the needs of severely injured service men and women; growing a sense of community among the severely injured; and providing programs that meet their needs.
1-877-832-6997
www.woundedwarriorproject.org/index.php
HEALTH/MEDICAL BENEFITS AND INSURANCE
Military.com
The website offers wide-reaching resources for service members, their families and veterans, including benefits, scholarships, networking, discounts, financial advice, news, etc.
www.military.com
The website below provides comprehensive information on Veteran disability compensation.
1-800-827-1000
www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/va-disability-compensation
Deployment LINK
This website provides information about the health care of service members and their families.
http://deploymentlink.osd.mil
Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
The website below provides answers to frequently asked questions for reservists being called to active duty.
www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_911_2.html
Family Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
FSGLI is a program that extends to the spouses and dependent children of members insured by SGLI.
1-800-419-1473
www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/FSGLI/sglifam.htm
[email protected]
Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
SGLI is life insurance for service members and veterans who may not be able to get private or commercial insurance because of the extra risks of military service.
1-800-419-1473
www.insurance.va.gov/index.htm
Traumatic Injury Protection Under Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)
TSGLI is for service members who are severely injured (on or off duty) as the result of a traumatic event and suffer a loss that qualifies for payment under TSGLI.
www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm
MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION (MWR)
Army MWR
Army MWR is a comprehensive network of support and leisure activities to enhance morale and the lives of service members and their families.
www.armymwr.com
Air Force MWR
The Air Force MWR has service programs that provide essential food, fitness, lodging, recreation and services for military members.
www.afsv.af.mil
Coast Guard MWR
The Coast Guard MWR website has information on activities, sports, recreation lodging, travel and other services.
www.uscg.mil/mwr
Navy MWR
The Navy MWR website has information on fleet and family recreation, fleet readiness, MWR food and beverages, cabins and RV parks, child and youth programs, etc.
www.mwr.navy.mil
Marine Corps Community Services
MCCS provides information on family life, retiree life, recreation/fit ness, shopping, etc.
www.usmc-mccs.org
Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC)
AFVC is a program that offers DoD affiliated personnel affordable condominium vacations around the world.
1-800-724-9988
www.afvclub.com
Space-Available and Space-Required Travel
Space-available travel allows authorized personnel DoD aircraft seats that are not occupied after “space-required” travelers have been accommodated.
www.militarypay.com/SpaceAvailableTravel.html
Operation Hero Miles and The Fisher House
Operation Hero Miles and The Fisher House partnered for a program that allows troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan to fly home for free. The program also allows family members of wounded servicemembers to fly for free to visit their loved one recovering in VA hospitals across the country.
(888) 294-8560
www.heromiles.org
http://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/heroMiles.shtml
SUPPORT FOR LOVED ONES
Battlemind
The website offers informational tools and guidance to the different stages that service members and their families face.
https://www.battlemind.army.mil/
Email: [email protected]
Operation Comfort
Operation Comfort is a nationwide network of mental health professionals and agencies that provide their services free of charge to the family members of those serving in the Middle East.
Phone: 1-866-632-7868
http://operationcomfort.com/
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
TAPS is a resource providing support, comfort and information for those grieving the death of a loved one that occurred in the line of duty. 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
www.taps.org
Email: [email protected]
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
MCEC is works to ensure quality education for all military children affected by mobility, family separation and transition.
(254) 953-1923
www.militarychild.org
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)
NACCRRA and the DoD are partnered to help service members find and afford child care that is suited to their unique needs.
703-341-4100
1-800-424-2246
http://www.naccrra.org/MilitaryPrograms/
Talk, Listen, Connect DVD
Sesame Workshop created “Talk, Listen, Connect,” a DVD, as a bi lingual educational outreach initiavite to help young military children deal with deployments, homecoming and changes. To order the free kit, visit Military OneSource:
www.militaryonesource.com
DVD Website: www.sesameworkshop.org/tlc
Family Readiness
The DoD has created integrated family readiness and support programs to provide information to all service members and their families to ensure they are prepared for short- and long-term deployments. The website below offers resources for families facing a deployment.
www.defenselink.mil/ra/html/familyreadiness.html
Military Homefront
The official DoD website for “Military Community and Family Policy” program information, policy and guidance for the troops and their families.
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
Military Spouse Career Center
A website that provides job search support for military spouses and the unique challenges they face.
www.military.com/spouse
Military Spouses’ Career Network
MSCN is a website that promotes the education, employment and career development of military spouses and offers information to achieve its end.
www.mscn.org
National Toll-free Domestic Violence Hotline
NDVH provides crisis intervention, information and referral to victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, friends and families.
1-800-7
99-SAFE (7233)
www.ndvh.org
Military Impacted Schools Association
MISA is an organization of school superintendents that wish to help educators provide resources and guidance for the unique needs of the children of military families.
(800) 291-6472
www.militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org
Army One Source
Army One Source is an integrated family support network for Army families and soldiers that provides a vast array of advice and information.
www.myarmylifetoo.com
Lifelines—Answers for Sailors, Marines & their families
Lifelines offers advice and information on the different stages of military life with a focus on Navy personnel and their families.
www.lifelines.navy.mil
Marine Corps Community Services
The MCCS family life site offers support for the spouses and families of Marines and offers a variety of programs that help build strong families.
www.usmc-mccs.org/family/
Air Force Crossroads
The official community website of the U.S. Air Force offers forums, information and advice for Air Force families.
www.afcrossroads.com
Department of Defense Deployment Health and Family Readiness Library
The library provides information and resources on deployment health and family readiness.
http://deploymenthealthlibrary.fhp.osd.mil/home.jsp
Family Matters
The website below has resources and guidebooks for the family members of deployed service members.
www.hooah4health.com/deployment/familymatters
Fleet and Family Support Division
The Fleet and Family Support programs offer commands, sailors and family members access to programs focused on adaptation to the special demands of military life.
www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/CommunitySupportProgramPolicies/fleet.htm
Military and Family Life Consultants (MFLC)
MFLC provides consultations to individuals, couples, families, and groups for support and assistance.
(254) 288-0400
www.hoodmwr.com/ACS/sfrb_mflc.html
National Guard Bureau Family Program
A resource for National Guard families which provides information on programs, benefits, resources and more.
703-607-5414
www.guardfamily.org
Veterans and Families Coming Home
This non-profit organization serves to help families of returning veterans in their transition and to ensure that families stay together and stay strong.
www.veteransandfamilies.org/home.html
Virtual Family Readiness Program
Army FRRG is a direct connection to Command information for a soldier’s unit. Online tools include forums, video email, telephone tree, and photo gallery.
www.armyfrg.org
Military Spouse Center
Military Spouse Center is a resource library for spouse employment, education, and relocation information.
www.milspouse.org
VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
America Supports You
The website below has an extensive list of organizations sorted by the type of aid they give to veterans.
www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/help.html
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
An extensive list of VSOs developed by the department of Veterans Affairs.
www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm
American Legion
The American Legion is a war-time veterans organization with a variety of programs and benefits for its members.
(317) 630-1200
www.legion.org
AMVETS
AMVETS provide fellow veterans with support, professional advice, legislative efforts on Capitol Hill and other services.
www.amvets.org
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
DAV is dedicated to building better lives for disabled veterans and their families through services and advocacy.
877-I Am A Vet (877-426-2838)
www.dav.org
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
IAVA works to improve the lives and advocate on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.
212-982-9699
202-544-7692
www.iava.org
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
PVA works to improve the quality of life of its members and is a leading advocate for health care, spinal cord injury/disease research and education, veterans’ benefits and rights, and disability rights.
1-800-555-9140
www.pva.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The VFW is a war veterans organization that lobbies Congress for better health care and benefits. VFW has a variety of programs that extend beyond veterans helping veterans.
(816) 756-3390
www.vfw.org
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
VVA works to promote and support issues specifically important to veterans of the Vietnam War and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.
800-VVA-1316
www.vva.org
GENERAL RESOURCES
Military OneSource
Military OneSource has a wide range of resources for service members and their families.
1-800-342-9647
www.militaryonesource.com
State Guard
The home page of the State Guard with links to individual states.
www.sgaus.org/States.htm
U.S. Air Force
The website of the united States Air Force.
www.af.mil
U.S. Air Force Reserve Command
The website of the united States Air Force Reserve Command.
www.afrc.af.mil
U.S. Air National Guard
The website of the united States Air National Guard.
www.ang.af.mil
U.S. Army
The website of the united States Army.
www.army.mil
U.S. Army National Guard
The website of the united States Army National Guard.
www.arng.army.mil
U.S. Army Reserve
The website of the united States Army Reserve.
www.armyreserve.army.mil
U.S. Coast Guard
The website of the united States Coast Guard.
www.uscg.mil
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve
The website of the united States Coast Guard Reserve.
www.uscg.mil/reserve
U.S. Marines
The website of the united States Marine Corps.
www.usmc.mil
U.S. Navy
The website of the united States Navy.
www.navy.mil
U.S. Navy Reserve
The website of the united States Navy Reserve.
www.marforres.usmc.mil
VA Services
The website of the united States department of Veterans Affairs.
www.va.gov
VHA: Veterans Health Administration
The website of the united States Veterans Health Administration.
www1.va.gov/health
VBA: Veterans Benefits Administration
The website of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
www.vba.va.gov
Table of Contents
Front Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Dedication
Foreword
World War II
Introduction
1. DEPLOYED, DECORATED AND LIVING IN A CAR: The Story of Marine Corps Sergeant Christopher Horman
2. DECIDING WHO IS SANE ENOUGH TO FIGHT: The Ethics of Military Medicine in a Time of War by Alice Psirakis, LCSW
3. LANDMINE BLAST TO A SOUL: The Story of Army SPC Walter Blackston
4. AMERICA KEEPS ITS PROMISE: The
Truth About Military Care of Warriors with Traumatic Brain Injury by Colonel Christopher S. Williams
5. BRINGING THE WAR HOME: The Story of Army Chief Warrant Officer Richard Gutteridge
6. HEALING THE HUMAN SPIRIT, HOUR BY HOUR by Barbara V. Romberg, PhD
7. DEEPER THAN WAR: The Story of US Marine Corps Captain Tyler Boudreau
8. THE VA’S SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: Saving the Lives of Veterans by Dr. Janet Kemp
9. A SHARPSHOOTER FIRES BACK: The Story of Army PFC Robert Kislow
10. THE EXPERT CONSULTANTS: OUR PATIENTS by Kelly Petska, PhD, and Donald MacLennan, PhD
11. WAR CHANT: The Story of Army Sergeant John “Medicine Bear” Radell
12. THE WEAPON OF CHOICE—PATIENCE by Dr. Charles “Chip” West
13. A WOMAN AT WAR: The Story of Army 2nd Lieutenant Sylvia Blackwood-Boutelle
14. I JUST WANT TO BE BACK IN IRAQ by Alice Psirakis, LCSW
15. AT HOME OUTSIDE THE WIRE: The Story of Marine Corps Corporal William Berger
16. WINNING HIDDEN BATTLES: Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury by Bill Yamanaka
17. A NEVERENDING BATTLE: The Story of Army Corporal Jonnei Campaz
18. THE REAL STORY BEHIND YOUR STORY by Dr. Rick Levy
19. AGAINST ALL ODDS: The Story of Marine Corps Corporal Joshua Hoffman
20. A VETERANS’ GUIDE TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE VA by Ira R. Katz, MD, PhD, and Bradley Karlin, PhD
21. WHEN MOMMY COMES HOME: The Story of Army Sergeant Devore Barlowe
22. WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS ANGRY, MOMMY? Children in Wartime—How to Know When Help Is Needed by Michael Genhart
23. A GOOD WACKING: The Story of Army Sergeant David Emme
24. THE MENTAL TRANSCEIVER by Norman McCormack
25. I’LL NEVER LEAVE YOU: The Story of Army National Guard Sergeant Jose Pequeno and His Mother, Nelida Bagley
26. THE FACES BEHIND THE FILES: The VA’s Polytrauma System of Care by Dr. Barbara Sigford, MD, PhD
27. PORTRAIT OF RESILIENCE: The Story of Army Sergeant Brent Bretz
28. FAMILIES OF HONOR by Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard
29. DELTA FORCE DOWN: The Story of Army Special Operations Sergeant Bryan Lane
30. REALIZING THE PROMISE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES IN THE VHA by Bradley Karlin, PhD, Josef Ruzek, PhD, and Kathleen Chard, PhD
31. A WOUNDED WARRIOR: The Story of Army Sergeant Nathan Toews
32. FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS: Why Time Is Running Out by Lt. Colonel Cynthia Rasmussen
33. COURAGE TO HEAL: The Story of Army National Guard Sergeant Michael Mills and Suki Mills
34. TENDING, ATTENDING, AND HEALING: All Together, One by One by Dr. Joseph Bobrow
Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts Page 30