In Dedication To Our Troops - HRI:UNArts: Wounded Warrior Transition Initiative

Website: http://www.unarts.org
Music: http://airplaydirect.com/music/stephenmichaelapatow/

This last January, CMA Artist Stephen Michael Apatow Aka H-II [1] had a chance to meet with one of our wounded warriors who helped him better understand some of the challenges facing many soldiers now in transition. The focus of the discussion was professional medical review of conditions developed during their time of service, and specifically complex challenges that were a direct result of inadequate care. For the soldiers, now in Warrior Transition [2], a staffing shortage combined with inadequate medical and legal assistance touch the surface of the problem. Many soldiers classified as not retainable by armed forces standards are being forced to stay in medical complexes, separated from their families, because paperwork associated with their medical discharge has been tied up (in some cases for years). Meanwhile their families struggle to survive. [3]

When I heard about a two year window, for a typical 2 month procedure, I recalled a story from a former Navy Seal who served in Somalia, was released on a medical discharge and suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [4]. The story:

While on patrol, accompanied by another soldier, two United States Marines were found mutilated. In short, these soldiers in self defense, killed everything that moved back to the barracks. This traumatic incident compromised their capacity to serve and within two months, following debriefing and a short counseling session, the soldier was released back into civilian life.

It was the fast track medical discharge, that flashed back into my memory. It was the inadequate medical help provided post release and the struggles that he faced with great anguish. He was a lucky one because he was able to pull it together, unlike many of the 131,000 veterans who are homeless on any given night [5] that were not able to adjust or veterans who commit suicide (estimated 120 per week in 2005). [6]

Every member of the armed forces deserves the highest level of honor, respect and standard of care that includes medical and legal support for resolution of complex challenges associated with their service to our country. In the context of these needs, Humanitarian Resource Institute is expanding the scope of research materials available on the HRI Medical Self Care web site (Operational Medicine based) [7] and (2) requesting a national community level initiative to provide pro bono medical and legal assistance for all veterans and soldiers in active duty.

One of the greatest unmet needs that exists in our community today, relates to the unmet needs of our active duty soldiers, veterans and their families. [8]

In dedication to our troops, CMA Artist Stephen Michael Apatow Aka H-II [8] produced the soundtrack "Special Forces Prayer," accessible on AirPlay Direct:

http://airplaydirect.com/music/stephenmichaelapatow/

Learn more about the Special Forces Prayer - Origin and History online at: www.prayer.sfahq.com

References:

1. Stephen Michael Apatow, Founder of Humanitarian Resource Institute and the United Nations Arts Initiative. Url: http://www.apatow.org
2. Warrior Care: U.S. Department of Defense. Url: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/warrior_care/
3. Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA): DOD: Military HOMEFRONT. Url: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/mhf/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_1?section_id=20.40.500.570.0.0.0.0.0¤t_id=20.40.500.570.500.140.20.60.0
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Medline Plus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Url: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/posttraumaticstressdisorder.html
5. Background & Statistics: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Url: http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm
6. Estimate: 120 Veteran Suicides Per Week: Institute for Public Accuracy, 24 March 2008. Url: http://www.accuracy.org/newsrelease.php?articleId=1673
7. Medical and Veterinary Selfcare: Humanitarian Resource Institute, Pathobiologics International. Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/university/med/ecc/
8. National Community Support for Armed Forces and Wounded Warrior Project: Humanitarian Resource Institute, 27 July 2009. Url: http://www.unarts.org/news/woundedwarriors_7272009.html