Public responses from outside of “Warfighter”
These are some responses – thoughts, displays of appreciation, experiences, so forth – from people who have been gracious enough to allow me to post their words for the benefit of the masses. They have gone out of their way to contact me from around the Internet – from Social Media sites such as Facebook, private email, YouTube, Instant Messengers, ect. I have copied these communications as they were written, in an attempt to capture the sincerity and authenticity of these peoples remarks.
Sincerely, thank you very much, to each and everyone of you. Semper Fidelis!
Kristan M. Blanchard
Corporal, USMC
In response to: Voice Recording – What is PTSD, readjustment disorder, stress inoculation
J. Bright said:
One of the best presented explanations of PTSD or READJUSTMENT DISORDER that I have ever heard. It presents it in a real light, destigmatizing the issue and I hope it encourages others to seek help with out the shame and self-critical denial that is only dangerous to ourselves and others!!! Thank you for sharing—I was happy to hear the “readjustment disorder” reference. I was diagnosed in 2007 after 15 months in IZ…. I’ve explained it the same way you have since my first review… I served 17 years in the military…8 in the Marines from 88-96 and then in the Natl Guard from 2003-2012. I’ve been surviving on the notion that somethings never change and it wasnt the dirt I experienced, but my inability to fit in and cope with ‘buying cereal’… thanks again brother…..Semper Fi.
"Warfighter" - A U.S. Marine Combat Vet Speaks Up 
Johnny Bright said:
I concur. I was home from IZ in early 2007 and it was difficult to fit in at best, but I tried to work through some things. I felt out of place and secretly wanted to go back and get the hell away from my family and this place….i didn’t feel useful here.
I accepted orders to a full time gig which would run over next three years. I was still in uniform and training other warfighters. I became the CA National Guard’s subject matter expert on C-IED operations. As a member of a Pre-Deployment Training Element, I traveled and trained, coached, and mentored warfighters preparing for deployment ISO OIF/OEF. As an instructor and O/C, I was still in the fight. It…but when I hung up my uniform, gave up my identity, and tried returning to civlian life It slowly reared it’s head…because I wasn’t fullly readjusted.
Again, I wasn’t fitting in….my social contacts all had ghoulish voyeuristic intrigue and for a while telling stories kept me close to it, but soon became burdensome. My patience levels were dropping, my responses to stress were becoming more physiological, my nights and sleep were intruded upon, my daytime hours grew intense and I found my self sitting on the edge of my bed with an M9.
I’ve battled my own demons and I’ve been successful thus far. Everyday I do okay, I’m thankful and proud of my experiences. Every dark day, I resent them….but the truth is…..I (we) have to remember, we survive because we run toward fire!
Semper Fi…