By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 4, 2008 - Some of the soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team are on their third deployment to Iraq, and the stress is being felt, the brigade commander said today. "These deployments do take a toll on the soldiers and their families," Army Col. Ted Martin told Pentagon reporters in a video teleconference.
Martin, who also is on his third tour of duty in Iraq, said the deployment probably is more stressful on the families than on the soldiers. "I think it's a little bit tougher on the families back home, because ... their loved ones are deployed to a combat zone," he said. "The uncertainty, missing all of those special moments with your family, I mean, that takes a toll."
Martin said the military has tried to do what it can to make the 15-month separations more bearable. Each camp, joint security station and combat outpost has Internet service and phone connectivity. The soldiers receive mail every other day. "The Department of Defense has gone all-out to do the best that we can to maintain good connections between the deployed soldier and the family back home," Martin said.
This allows soldiers to come back from a hard day or a hard night and send a quick e-mail back home. "Just knowing that their loved one is OK is a great thing," he said.
The soldiers also can participate in the upcoming presidential election, the colonel noted. Martin said the brigade has a voting officer who coordinates with voting officers at battalion and company level. Each level of command from the Multinational Division Baghdad commander on down to company commanders emphasizes the need for each soldier to have the opportunity to vote.
"Personally, I've taken on as a mission that every single soldier will get a ballot," Martin said. "Whether they choose to vote or not, that's their call. But it will be in their hand, and then they will have time to vote. And I think they will."
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Monday, August 04, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Celebrity Camel Boosts Troops' Morale in Kuwait
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
March 10, 2008 - Like devoted fans, about 100 servicemembers anxiously awaited Clyde's arrival here on March 7. And, like a true celebrity, Clyde was fashionably late. "I wanted to take a picture with the camel, but where is the camel?" asked Army Sgt. 1st Class Darlene Brent, with the 106th Financial Management Company out of Bamberg, Germany. "You got all these people standing out here and there's no camel."
Clyde the camel was an hour past due for his gig giving brief rides to troops transiting through Camp Buehring into Iraq. There was wild speculation that he'd been stopped at the front gate because he'd forgotten is identification card.
"It's 3:45 now," Brent said. "The camel's supposed to have been here at 3:00."
Clyde and handler, Kadry, trotted up about 4 p.m. Both were in good spirits as the servicemembers, mostly soldiers, snapped pictures, fed the furry celeb walnuts and dates, and climbed a ladder for their ride atop the dromedary.
Regardless of his tardiness, Clyde provides a big morale boost for the troops, said Army Reserve Lt. Col. Sean Clark of the 2145th Garrison Support Unit out of Nashville, Tenn. The camel's services are provided by the camp's Morale, Welfare and Recreation services.
"MWR offers the soldiers, sailors and people who are here on Camp Buehring the opportunity to come out and ride a camel; get a little desert experience up close and personal," Clark said.
The novelty allows the troops to give family and friends a glimpse of their life during deployment, Clark added, noting that troops can't share many details or images with families back home for security reasons.
Clark said being able to share photos and stories of Clyde is "good because it shows them that we're not in constant danger all the time; (that) there are fun and exciting things that we can do, and a little on the humorous side."
Letting loved ones in on that side of deployment helps relieve their stress about what's happening to deployed servicemembers, Clark added.
Camel rides are a monthly occurrence on the base, said Michelle Larsen, an employee of the base Morale, Welfare and Recreation office, which organizes the popular event.
"Not too many people get to ride camels," she said. "It's something that the troops all really like to participate in, mostly for photo ops, and just an opportunity to ride a camel."
Judging by the troops' reactions to riding atop the trotting Clyde, or having him nibble snacks out of their hands, the experience was worth the long wait in the nearly 90 degree weather.
In fact, the camel's fame has spread internationally, it seems. A handful of those waiting up to two hours for a ride after Clyde showed up included some of the about 500 British soldiers on the base.
Clyde's next appearance will be at the beginning of April. Until then, transiting troops will have to make do with myriad other MWR programs including sporting and fitness events and karaoke nights.
American Forces Press Service
March 10, 2008 - Like devoted fans, about 100 servicemembers anxiously awaited Clyde's arrival here on March 7. And, like a true celebrity, Clyde was fashionably late. "I wanted to take a picture with the camel, but where is the camel?" asked Army Sgt. 1st Class Darlene Brent, with the 106th Financial Management Company out of Bamberg, Germany. "You got all these people standing out here and there's no camel."
Clyde the camel was an hour past due for his gig giving brief rides to troops transiting through Camp Buehring into Iraq. There was wild speculation that he'd been stopped at the front gate because he'd forgotten is identification card.
"It's 3:45 now," Brent said. "The camel's supposed to have been here at 3:00."
Clyde and handler, Kadry, trotted up about 4 p.m. Both were in good spirits as the servicemembers, mostly soldiers, snapped pictures, fed the furry celeb walnuts and dates, and climbed a ladder for their ride atop the dromedary.
Regardless of his tardiness, Clyde provides a big morale boost for the troops, said Army Reserve Lt. Col. Sean Clark of the 2145th Garrison Support Unit out of Nashville, Tenn. The camel's services are provided by the camp's Morale, Welfare and Recreation services.
"MWR offers the soldiers, sailors and people who are here on Camp Buehring the opportunity to come out and ride a camel; get a little desert experience up close and personal," Clark said.
The novelty allows the troops to give family and friends a glimpse of their life during deployment, Clark added, noting that troops can't share many details or images with families back home for security reasons.
Clark said being able to share photos and stories of Clyde is "good because it shows them that we're not in constant danger all the time; (that) there are fun and exciting things that we can do, and a little on the humorous side."
Letting loved ones in on that side of deployment helps relieve their stress about what's happening to deployed servicemembers, Clark added.
Camel rides are a monthly occurrence on the base, said Michelle Larsen, an employee of the base Morale, Welfare and Recreation office, which organizes the popular event.
"Not too many people get to ride camels," she said. "It's something that the troops all really like to participate in, mostly for photo ops, and just an opportunity to ride a camel."
Judging by the troops' reactions to riding atop the trotting Clyde, or having him nibble snacks out of their hands, the experience was worth the long wait in the nearly 90 degree weather.
In fact, the camel's fame has spread internationally, it seems. A handful of those waiting up to two hours for a ride after Clyde showed up included some of the about 500 British soldiers on the base.
Clyde's next appearance will be at the beginning of April. Until then, transiting troops will have to make do with myriad other MWR programs including sporting and fitness events and karaoke nights.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Team Helps Troops in Afghanistan Fight Stress
By 2nd Lt. Monika Comeaux, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 31, 2007 - Mechanics repair vehicles, small-arms repairmen fix weapons, and dentists fix teeth. Members of the Combat Stress Control Detachment working with Company C, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, here help set troops' minds straight. A small team of airmen and soldiers work hand in hand to help deployed servicemembers battle stress here and at some 20 surrounding forward operating bases.
The issues troops for which troops seek help vary, team members said.
"It depends a little bit on where the individual is based out of," said Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jeffrey Wiser, a psychiatrist with the Combat Stress Control Detachment. "I think a lot of people in the forward locations deal with combat stress reactions. FOB Fenty and some of the areas south and east of here tend to be more operational stress, home-front issues and difficulties within the unit."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Laurie Wienclawski, a mental health technician on the team, said the team sometimes helps troops hours or days after they have witnessed tragic or shocking events. "The 173rd has lost a lot of people. Being back home, you hear about soldiers being killed and wounded in action. Until you are deployed and actually live it and see it and hear about it, it doesn't seem real until you are actually there," she said.
Servicemembers don't always come out to seek help with their problems. Some internalize issues, and only people who really know them notice a change in their behavior, daily routine or sleep patterns, the combat stress experts said. It is important for everyone to know the typical behavior of their battle buddies, or to know their "baseline," the experts said.
Wienclawski said she hoped being a woman would make it easier for troops to talk to her. When she hit the ground, she found out that was not the case. Now, she said, she can best relate to troops by finding things in common with them, like family situation or background.
Since not everyone comes running with their issues, the Combat Stress Control Detachment sends out a small team to surrounding FOBs to "canvas" the neighborhood and see if someone needs their assistance. Weiser said Army Spc. Christopher Truax, a mental health specialist with Company C, is great at "mixing with soldiers and engaging them in conversation and prompting them to come in for evaluations or a more extensive interview."
Truax, who studied psychology in college, learned about his military occupational specialty on the Internet. He said he finds his job rewarding. "We don't wait for someone to come and see us; we go see them," Truax said.
He usually travels with Army Capt. Bryan O'Leary, a 173rd Airborne Brigade psychologist working with the Combat Stress Control Detachment.
"We support a lot of people, and we go where the action is, because that is where the help is going to be needed a lot," Truax explained.
Team members travel for three to four weeks at a time visiting remote locations. Since some places are really hard to get to, the team spends a lot of time at flightlines and trying to jump on convoys. There is no way to give out actual appointments, but they always notify command elements and aid stations that they are on the way so servicemembers can get the word.
Soldiers at Fenty are more fortunate; they can actually book appointments.
Just because people aren't being shot at doesn't mean they don't get stressed out, Wiser said. Sixteen-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week schedules are chronic here, he said, and he added that he encourages everyone to relax and take time off if the mission permits. He also said he urges troops to remain engaged in hobbies, work out, and keep in touch with friends and family as much as possible.
"I just think it is important for people to know we are here, and I would encourage them to use the services," Wienclawski said. "There is a stigma related to mental health, and sometimes that keeps people from going to mental health. That is true back in garrison, back in the home state, as well. I just want people to get help early on so it doesn't progress and get worse."
The Combat Stress Control Detachment handles most cases with full confidentiality. The only times they have an obligation to report anything to the chain of command is if they feel that an individual's life or others' lives are in danger, officials said.
(Army 2nd Lt. Monika Comeaux is assigned to 173rd Brigade Support Battalion.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 31, 2007 - Mechanics repair vehicles, small-arms repairmen fix weapons, and dentists fix teeth. Members of the Combat Stress Control Detachment working with Company C, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, here help set troops' minds straight. A small team of airmen and soldiers work hand in hand to help deployed servicemembers battle stress here and at some 20 surrounding forward operating bases.
The issues troops for which troops seek help vary, team members said.
"It depends a little bit on where the individual is based out of," said Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jeffrey Wiser, a psychiatrist with the Combat Stress Control Detachment. "I think a lot of people in the forward locations deal with combat stress reactions. FOB Fenty and some of the areas south and east of here tend to be more operational stress, home-front issues and difficulties within the unit."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Laurie Wienclawski, a mental health technician on the team, said the team sometimes helps troops hours or days after they have witnessed tragic or shocking events. "The 173rd has lost a lot of people. Being back home, you hear about soldiers being killed and wounded in action. Until you are deployed and actually live it and see it and hear about it, it doesn't seem real until you are actually there," she said.
Servicemembers don't always come out to seek help with their problems. Some internalize issues, and only people who really know them notice a change in their behavior, daily routine or sleep patterns, the combat stress experts said. It is important for everyone to know the typical behavior of their battle buddies, or to know their "baseline," the experts said.
Wienclawski said she hoped being a woman would make it easier for troops to talk to her. When she hit the ground, she found out that was not the case. Now, she said, she can best relate to troops by finding things in common with them, like family situation or background.
Since not everyone comes running with their issues, the Combat Stress Control Detachment sends out a small team to surrounding FOBs to "canvas" the neighborhood and see if someone needs their assistance. Weiser said Army Spc. Christopher Truax, a mental health specialist with Company C, is great at "mixing with soldiers and engaging them in conversation and prompting them to come in for evaluations or a more extensive interview."
Truax, who studied psychology in college, learned about his military occupational specialty on the Internet. He said he finds his job rewarding. "We don't wait for someone to come and see us; we go see them," Truax said.
He usually travels with Army Capt. Bryan O'Leary, a 173rd Airborne Brigade psychologist working with the Combat Stress Control Detachment.
"We support a lot of people, and we go where the action is, because that is where the help is going to be needed a lot," Truax explained.
Team members travel for three to four weeks at a time visiting remote locations. Since some places are really hard to get to, the team spends a lot of time at flightlines and trying to jump on convoys. There is no way to give out actual appointments, but they always notify command elements and aid stations that they are on the way so servicemembers can get the word.
Soldiers at Fenty are more fortunate; they can actually book appointments.
Just because people aren't being shot at doesn't mean they don't get stressed out, Wiser said. Sixteen-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week schedules are chronic here, he said, and he added that he encourages everyone to relax and take time off if the mission permits. He also said he urges troops to remain engaged in hobbies, work out, and keep in touch with friends and family as much as possible.
"I just think it is important for people to know we are here, and I would encourage them to use the services," Wienclawski said. "There is a stigma related to mental health, and sometimes that keeps people from going to mental health. That is true back in garrison, back in the home state, as well. I just want people to get help early on so it doesn't progress and get worse."
The Combat Stress Control Detachment handles most cases with full confidentiality. The only times they have an obligation to report anything to the chain of command is if they feel that an individual's life or others' lives are in danger, officials said.
(Army 2nd Lt. Monika Comeaux is assigned to 173rd Brigade Support Battalion.)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Air Force Chaplain Shares Faith in Afghanistan
By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 5, 2007 - From sitting down to lunch with Afghan mullahs, or Islamic leaders, to performing Catholic Mass for international servicemembers, one Air Force chaplain is experiencing a deployment here in Kabul that is very different than others he's had in the past. "I've been deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey, amongst others," said Lt. Col. Michael Weber, garrison chaplain for Camp Eggers. "But this is the first time I've deployed to a war zone for a mission this diverse."
As the garrison chaplain for this camp, in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city, Weber provides religious and spiritual support for the joint military population serving the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan.
He also supports Navy Capt. James Fisher, the command chaplain, who dedicates his time to the religious and cultural affairs ministry, which mentors and trains the Afghan military and police chaplain corps.
It's a position that urgently needed to be filled after the Army chaplain originally assigned here suffered a heart attack last month, said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Hays, religious program specialist and Weber's assistant.
"An improvised explosive device detonated on the right side of our vehicle while we were outside the wire," said Hays. "Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the chaplain suffered a heart attack a few days later and was medically evacuated."
That's when Weber volunteered to come here.
"I was fulfilling a deployment obligation in Tampa, Florida [at MacDill Air Force Base at U.S. Central Command], "he said. "Word came back that they needed a chaplain here. I saw this as an opportunity to get some more experience in a war zone, so that later when I counsel war veterans, I would be able to relate better to what they've been through."
Though Weber has been in country only for a few weeks, he's already found himself dressed in full "battle-rattle", or body armor, accompanying Fisher outside the wire to meet with local mullahs as part of the religious and cultural affairs ministry program.
"If we do not win the mullahs, we will not win this war," said Fisher, referring to the Islamic leaders of the local villages. "Once we gain their trust, then the people will trust us, too."
Weber said his first meeting with the mullahs really helped in understanding the Afghan culture.
"This is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," he said. "Their entire culture and way of life is based upon their religion. Even though mine is a different religion, they saw me as a religious person and they respected that. There was a sense of camaraderie. We both understand the importance of religion in people's lives and because of that, we were able to come together and share ideas."
Sharing ideas is exactly the mission of the religious and cultural affairs ministry with U.S. military chaplains acting as mentors to their Afghan counterparts. Similar to U.S. military chaplains, the Afghan chaplain corps provides religious support to its servicemembers. That includes family services, counseling and morale, welfare and recreation services, all while being mindful of the Islamic way of life.
"We're also helping them develop educational programs within their corps," said Weber. "This country has a high illiteracy rate amongst its population, so the [religious and cultural affairs ministry] is trying to develop programs to help build literacy."
When not traveling for the religious and cultural affairs ministry, Weber is dedicated to providing traditional chaplain support to Camp Egger's population of U.S. and international servicemembers.
"For as long as anyone can recall, there hasn't been a Catholic chaplain here," said Hays. "Yet, there is a large number of Catholics serving here."
Once Weber arrived, he and Hays set up a Catholic Mass schedule. Religious services here are normally held in a room inside a two-story "con-ex" building during the week, but the first weekend Catholic Mass attracted about 70 people, requiring it to be held in the garrison's "clamshell" or large multi-purpose tent.
"With the stress level out here, it's important for people to be around things that are familiar to them," said Weber. "By providing them an outlet for their faith, to bring them the traditions of their faith, that helps them cope with issues of separation."
Weber said that while being in a war zone is stressful, he's thankful for the opportunity to serve here.
"I'm part of a large team which is experiencing similar fears," he said. "There is a distinct mission. It's important that people understand we are not here to occupy this land. Instead, we are supporting the Afghan people and it's a unique experience to see those efforts bearing fruit. You can't get that kind of satisfaction elsewhere."
(U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein is a journalist assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 5, 2007 - From sitting down to lunch with Afghan mullahs, or Islamic leaders, to performing Catholic Mass for international servicemembers, one Air Force chaplain is experiencing a deployment here in Kabul that is very different than others he's had in the past. "I've been deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey, amongst others," said Lt. Col. Michael Weber, garrison chaplain for Camp Eggers. "But this is the first time I've deployed to a war zone for a mission this diverse."
As the garrison chaplain for this camp, in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city, Weber provides religious and spiritual support for the joint military population serving the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan.
He also supports Navy Capt. James Fisher, the command chaplain, who dedicates his time to the religious and cultural affairs ministry, which mentors and trains the Afghan military and police chaplain corps.
It's a position that urgently needed to be filled after the Army chaplain originally assigned here suffered a heart attack last month, said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Hays, religious program specialist and Weber's assistant.
"An improvised explosive device detonated on the right side of our vehicle while we were outside the wire," said Hays. "Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the chaplain suffered a heart attack a few days later and was medically evacuated."
That's when Weber volunteered to come here.
"I was fulfilling a deployment obligation in Tampa, Florida [at MacDill Air Force Base at U.S. Central Command], "he said. "Word came back that they needed a chaplain here. I saw this as an opportunity to get some more experience in a war zone, so that later when I counsel war veterans, I would be able to relate better to what they've been through."
Though Weber has been in country only for a few weeks, he's already found himself dressed in full "battle-rattle", or body armor, accompanying Fisher outside the wire to meet with local mullahs as part of the religious and cultural affairs ministry program.
"If we do not win the mullahs, we will not win this war," said Fisher, referring to the Islamic leaders of the local villages. "Once we gain their trust, then the people will trust us, too."
Weber said his first meeting with the mullahs really helped in understanding the Afghan culture.
"This is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," he said. "Their entire culture and way of life is based upon their religion. Even though mine is a different religion, they saw me as a religious person and they respected that. There was a sense of camaraderie. We both understand the importance of religion in people's lives and because of that, we were able to come together and share ideas."
Sharing ideas is exactly the mission of the religious and cultural affairs ministry with U.S. military chaplains acting as mentors to their Afghan counterparts. Similar to U.S. military chaplains, the Afghan chaplain corps provides religious support to its servicemembers. That includes family services, counseling and morale, welfare and recreation services, all while being mindful of the Islamic way of life.
"We're also helping them develop educational programs within their corps," said Weber. "This country has a high illiteracy rate amongst its population, so the [religious and cultural affairs ministry] is trying to develop programs to help build literacy."
When not traveling for the religious and cultural affairs ministry, Weber is dedicated to providing traditional chaplain support to Camp Egger's population of U.S. and international servicemembers.
"For as long as anyone can recall, there hasn't been a Catholic chaplain here," said Hays. "Yet, there is a large number of Catholics serving here."
Once Weber arrived, he and Hays set up a Catholic Mass schedule. Religious services here are normally held in a room inside a two-story "con-ex" building during the week, but the first weekend Catholic Mass attracted about 70 people, requiring it to be held in the garrison's "clamshell" or large multi-purpose tent.
"With the stress level out here, it's important for people to be around things that are familiar to them," said Weber. "By providing them an outlet for their faith, to bring them the traditions of their faith, that helps them cope with issues of separation."
Weber said that while being in a war zone is stressful, he's thankful for the opportunity to serve here.
"I'm part of a large team which is experiencing similar fears," he said. "There is a distinct mission. It's important that people understand we are not here to occupy this land. Instead, we are supporting the Afghan people and it's a unique experience to see those efforts bearing fruit. You can't get that kind of satisfaction elsewhere."
(U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein is a journalist assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
