Pursuit of mental health care keeps warriors strong

Pursuit of mental health care keeps warriors strong
May 6, 2009

By Staff Sgt. Matthew Clifton

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Army Behavioral Health
Physical combat injuries and external wounds are easily identified by Soldiers and medics, but it is much more difficult to spot, and treat, mental wounds.

In May, the Army observes Mental Health Month, and recently Army Secretary Pete Geren paid a visit to Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Jackson, S.C., to speak with them and their family members about how they are addressing mental health challenges with the help of family and Army programs.

"The Army has a corner on being strong and being able to drive on, no matter what happens, and that makes it harder (for Soldiers to request help)," said Geren.

One wounded warrior, Sgt. David Marklein, who served as an infantryman for two deployments in 2003 and 2006 with 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division. During his first deployment, Marklein was the personal driver for Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Cooke, the brigade's command sergeant major.

While on a mission on Christmas Eve, their Humvee struck an improvised explosive device, killing Cooke. While Marklein had no external injuries, his eardrums were blown out and he suffered damage to his head, neck and back.

Marklein and Cooke had been very close, and his death changed Marklein in a way he would not admit until a series of events, which would not come until after his second deployment, put his personal life and Army career into jeopardy.

"When I got off of the plane, my wife knew there was something different about me," said Marklein, who admits he couldn't see the change in himself. "Subconsciously, there was something wrong, but I wouldn't face it."
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Pursuit of mental health care keeps warriors strong