thedrifter
10-16-06, 06:25 AM
Marines for Life aids vets with transition
Monday, October 16, 2006
By KRISTEN ZIEGLER
The Allentown Times
"It is just a total culture shock," said Major Patrick Otten of the transition from active duty with the armed forces to civilian life.
And for Otten it continues to be a work in progress.
He serves as an active reservist with the Marines for Life program where he assists fellow Marines in the region, some of whom have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, transition back to the everyday world.
"It's switching gears from a regular structured environment to a civilian life where things aren't always running on time," said Otten.
But the loss of structure means more to a member of the Marines than just tolerating normal inconveniences such as a late arriving bus or longer than expected meeting.
"The whole issue is the demands of a war zone are vastly different than those in civilian life," said Dr. Joseph Casagrande, a clinical psychologist at the regional Veterans Affairs clinic in Wilkes-Barre.
"Returning men and women tell us that no amount of training prepares you for the realization that this is a life-or-death experience," said Casagrande.
Fortunately, he said, current veterans are not experiencing the same isolation that engulfed many Vietnam War veterans.
Supply Sgt. Kurt Fredrich, who returned from a medical unit in Ramadi, Iraq, said the support of his community, church, family and wife has helped him.
"My transition hasn't been bad at all -- there are some people who haven't been bothered at all while others have," said the 33-year-old Allentown resident, who has served 13 years in the Marines.
Veterans younger than Fredrich, and those without naturally strong support groups, might turn to the government, which in the past has been criticized for not doing enough to support the troops. This time, it might be different.
"There are a lot of people coming home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," said Fredrich. "The military is doing something about it."
The Department of Defense meets with troops prior to departure from active duty and the contact does not end there.
"The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended itself by reaching out and having outreach workers who go to the troops' meetings itself," said Vince Recardo, spokesman for the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
"There is a very clear effort in Veterans Affairs as a whole to be reaching out to new veterans," he said.
And according to Fredrich, it is working. "It's one of those personal things but I know of people who are talking."
But even with the increased effort, some veterans refuse the help. And since they must contact the department first, the office is helpless to assist them.
But Marines for Life, a program solely for Marines, seems to have an advantage. The Web site provides information about job placement along with providing civilian and Marine mentors.
Otten said he has Marines who will not leave active duty until spring 2009 who have already signed on to the site. When they do return, he will contact them.
"It's nice to know you have a guy locally just to call and chat and say 'Do you have a suggestion?' and to call and say 'Hello,'" Otten said of his position.
Ellie
Monday, October 16, 2006
By KRISTEN ZIEGLER
The Allentown Times
"It is just a total culture shock," said Major Patrick Otten of the transition from active duty with the armed forces to civilian life.
And for Otten it continues to be a work in progress.
He serves as an active reservist with the Marines for Life program where he assists fellow Marines in the region, some of whom have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, transition back to the everyday world.
"It's switching gears from a regular structured environment to a civilian life where things aren't always running on time," said Otten.
But the loss of structure means more to a member of the Marines than just tolerating normal inconveniences such as a late arriving bus or longer than expected meeting.
"The whole issue is the demands of a war zone are vastly different than those in civilian life," said Dr. Joseph Casagrande, a clinical psychologist at the regional Veterans Affairs clinic in Wilkes-Barre.
"Returning men and women tell us that no amount of training prepares you for the realization that this is a life-or-death experience," said Casagrande.
Fortunately, he said, current veterans are not experiencing the same isolation that engulfed many Vietnam War veterans.
Supply Sgt. Kurt Fredrich, who returned from a medical unit in Ramadi, Iraq, said the support of his community, church, family and wife has helped him.
"My transition hasn't been bad at all -- there are some people who haven't been bothered at all while others have," said the 33-year-old Allentown resident, who has served 13 years in the Marines.
Veterans younger than Fredrich, and those without naturally strong support groups, might turn to the government, which in the past has been criticized for not doing enough to support the troops. This time, it might be different.
"There are a lot of people coming home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," said Fredrich. "The military is doing something about it."
The Department of Defense meets with troops prior to departure from active duty and the contact does not end there.
"The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended itself by reaching out and having outreach workers who go to the troops' meetings itself," said Vince Recardo, spokesman for the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
"There is a very clear effort in Veterans Affairs as a whole to be reaching out to new veterans," he said.
And according to Fredrich, it is working. "It's one of those personal things but I know of people who are talking."
But even with the increased effort, some veterans refuse the help. And since they must contact the department first, the office is helpless to assist them.
But Marines for Life, a program solely for Marines, seems to have an advantage. The Web site provides information about job placement along with providing civilian and Marine mentors.
Otten said he has Marines who will not leave active duty until spring 2009 who have already signed on to the site. When they do return, he will contact them.
"It's nice to know you have a guy locally just to call and chat and say 'Do you have a suggestion?' and to call and say 'Hello,'" Otten said of his position.
Ellie