Military resources available to ease stress of everyday life
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December 26, 2008 - 6:10 PM
AMANDA HICKEY and LINDELL KAY

Last weekend's alleged bludgeoning of a pregnant woman by her Camp Lejeune Marine husband who deployed to Iraq three times since 2004 has spotlighted the resources available to Marines who might need it in coping with ordinary life.

"We have various classes discussing the differences of stress in a combat zone (versus) the stresses of everyday life," said base spokesman 1st Lt. Craig Thomas. "When our Marines return to their communities and families, we want them well-equipped for the transition period and fully aware of the numerous programs and services they may wish to utilize."

Post-deployment programs explain to returning Marines what they should expect during a homecoming and provide tips to help families get their relationships back to normal as quickly as possible. A child-centered program is geared toward helping parents understand the impact of deployment on children and offers creative ways to maintain a strong connection between a child and the deployed parent, according to information from the Marine Corps.

"Marines also undergo medical screening at the conclusion of their deployments so we can identify and treat any outlying issues," Thomas said.

The base offers its Marines classes in anger management and post-deployment combat stress reduction, and has won the Department of Defense Community Drug Awareness/Red Ribbon Campaign Award two years in row for its efforts.

"The leaders here at Camp Lejeune continue to ensure our Health Promotion staff succeeds in squarely addressing these difficult issues head-on," Thomas said.

Cpl. Jonathan Matthew Gould remains in Onslow County jail under a $1 million bond. The Onslow County Sheriff's Department charged him with attempted first-degree murder last week and say he used a hammer to beat his wife, Erin Marie Gould. She remains stable but unresponsive, family members and authorities said.

The couple had been arguing the week prior to the alleged attack about a possible divorce, authorities said.

"They've been together since high school," said Erin Gould's uncle, John Morelli. "I don't know what would bring somebody to do something like that."

Cpl. Gould was deployed to Iraq three times: during 2004, from September 2005 to March 2006 and from April 2007 to November 2007. He is trained as an anti-tank missile operator and has been awarded a Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.

More information about post-deployment programs is available at the Community Counseling Center in Building 798 on Brewster Boulevard. The center provides professional individual, marital and family counseling services available to military members and families.

The center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 910-451-2864 or 910-451-2876.



Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461.

Ellie