Whether this is your first semester or you’re a few months from graduation, the transition from the demands of military life to those of the university usually creates a significant amount of stress. From hanging up the “cammies” to putting on the “civies,” setting down the “ruc sac” to picking up the book bag, and trading in your “deuce gear” for pens and paper, leaving the all-encompassing “Green Machine” for the classroom is no easy task. Many of you are returning from war-zones; the amount of stress from that experience added to what you must already face is, often, immeasurable and overwhelming. Recent studies show that as many as 1 in 3 returning veterans have already, or will experience one or more psychological disorders. A July 2004 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine (“Combat Duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mental Health Barriers to Care,” Vol. 351, No. 1) indicated that 1 in 6 veterans fit criteria for symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Officials with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) claim that many veterans will not receive the psychological treatment they desperately need. Discovery of a medical problem or psychological disorder during one of the many exit examinations all military members must complete frequently results in a hold on dismissal from service. As a result, many service members don’t report problems that require professional attention because they are, understandably, anxious to begin their new civilian lives.

War Zone Stress Reaction & PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling disorder that may develop following a traumatic event. Often, people with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts, memories, and dreams of the terrifying event and feel emotionally distant. An event resulting in PTSD usually involves experiencing death or dismemberment, in some fashion, and a feeling that one was helpless during that event. Common symptoms of PTSD include the following:

• Recurring and intrusive memories and/or dreams of the event
• Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were happening
• Intense distress in response to cues resembling some aspect of the event
• Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations related to the event
• Feeling detachment or estrangement from others
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression

If you feel you may be suffering from PTSD, visit one of the following links or speak with a counselor.

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/
http://www.healthyminds.org/multimedia/ptsd.pdf
http://www.ptsd-alliance.org/
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/ptsdmenu.cfm

Why do so many veterans of this war suffer from war zone stress reactions?

The war in Iraq is known for close-quarters battle. As such, there are no safe places or front lines; soldiers are often unsure whether indigenous personnel are friend or foe. Troops almost never experience anything in Iraq without constant fear of loss of life. They never relax and adrenaline is constantly pushed through the body at alarming rates. Constant high levels of adrenaline create problems over time. When troops return home, they may find great difficulty in adjusting to a more peaceful environment. Panic attacks may be triggered suddenly by sights and sounds that even remotely resemble war-time conditions.

Panic Attacks

A panic attack involves a sudden and intense fear or discomfort in the absence of real danger. Panic attacks may be unexpected, or brought on by an environmental trigger. In an unexpected attack, the person experiencing the panic may not be able to link the attack to any trigger. Sometimes, the person experiencing the attack may be able to link the episode to a trigger. Common symptoms of panic attacks include the following:

• Accelerated heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Shortness of breath or feeling of suffocation
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fear of death or losing control, “going crazy”
• Tingling in the fingers and toes

If you are experiencing panic attacks, please visit with a counselor as soon as possible.

Why do I need to get help?

Many returning service members will suffer from some degree of war zone stress reactions. It is important for returning troops to be aware of the importance of counseling services. Since many now live in a relatively peaceful environment, it may become easier to avoid reminders of trauma faced in Iraq and to, therefore, put off seeking counseling services. Failure to participate in counseling may not only further impact war-related psychological difficulties, but may also exacerbate disorders that may have been present before deployment.

What is the Texas State University veteran population like?

Most Texas State University veterans are current or prior Army. After the Army, the order of greatest to least with respect to percentage of total number of veterans is as follows:

• Navy
• Air Force
• Marines
• National Guard
• Coast Guard

Most of our veterans served for between 1 and 5 years. A smaller percentage served for between 6 and 10 years, and an even smaller number served for more than 10 years.

Of the difficulties our veterans have had to face in transitioning to the civilian world, the vast majority has had problems that relate to academic or career issues. Others have had problems that relate to:

• financial concerns
• social support
• emotional issues
• structural differences (civilian vs. military rank structure, addressing professors or others in positions of authority, etc.)
• academic or career issues

Many veterans have also had problems dealing with civilians both in their personal and professional lives. Some feel they’re misunderstood, under appreciated, and segregated from the more traditional student population. Given the United States’ current efforts in Iraq and conflicting civilian views, many veterans may experience some of the discussed problems to a greater degree. If you’re having trouble dealing with anything mentioned in this section, please visit the Counseling Center for assistance. The statistics for this section were gathered from a survey conducted by the Texas State Institutional Review Board.

Services for Returning Veterans:

GI Bill

Texas State University Office of Veterans Affairs GI Bill

• Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill)
• Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation)
• Chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Assistance Program (VEAP))
• Chapter 34/30 (Old GI Bill)
• US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill

Help with transitioning

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has a website for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members. (http://www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/)

Austin Vet Center
1110 W William Cannon
Suite 301
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 416-1314
1-800-826-1880

Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
Austin Outpatient Clinic
2901 Montopolis Drive
Austin, Texas 78741
(512) 389-1010

South Texas Veterans Health Care System
7400 Merton Minter Blvd.
San Antonio, Texas 78229
(210) 617-5300

Frank M. Tejeda VA Outpatient Clinic
5788 Eckhert Road
San Antonio, Texas 78240
(210) 699-2100

Texas National Guard
State Benefits Advisor
Attn: James Schenatzki
P.O. Box 5218
Austin, Texas 78763-5218
(512) 782-6852

Websites for each of these and other facilities are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs website, http://www.va.gov. Click on “Find a Facility” and enter the local, Austin, or San Antonio zip code.