PTSD: ‘Not enough is being done’

PTSD: ‘Not enough is being done’
Temple Daily Telegram - Temple,TX,USA
by Bryan Kirk Killeen Writer
Published: February 15, 2009
FORT HOOD - Matthew Muff isn’t in the Army anymore. He hasn’t been since Jan. 30, when he was administratively discharged for twice going AWOL.

But a pattern of misconduct detailed by his leaders may not have been behind his departure from Fort Hood last month but a series of cries for help resulting from post traumatic stress disorder.

“The first time was right after he was diagnosed with PTSD after his return from Iraq. He was having problems with alcohol,” said Chuck Luther, a former 1st Cavalry Division soldier who now works as a caseworker for Military Spouses of America. “He just wanted to drown out all the bad things. I know what he went through.”

The command saw neither that first offense nor his PTSD as serious, Luther said.

“Muff said he needed help, and they wouldn’t give it to him,” he said.

So Muff, who lives in Gatesville, went AWOL again.

This time, however, he left the post to get treatment at Scott & White Memorial Hospital because he couldn’t get what he needed at Fort Hood, Luther said.
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