Officers speak about post-war experiences

Jennifer Heeke

On Thursday afternoon, Maj. Jeff Hall discusses his experience in Iraq and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on both wounded and unwounded soldiers.

Officers speak about post-war experiences
By Katie Reilley

junior staff writer

Published: Friday, October 15, 2010

One officer told the story of how he bled out, was dead for 15 minutes, but was resurrected through the efforts of Army medics. Another officer related how he stood in his backyard, contemplating suicide because he hated dealing with the constant pain of daily life, while his wife felt "like a failure" because her husband was not the same person he was before his combat experience.

These are the stories of nationally-recognized and decorated Fort Riley officers Capt. Joshua Mantz, Maj. Jeff Hall and Hall's wife, Sheri Hall, sophomore in social work. The three spoke at the College of Human Ecology lecture "Combat Stress: Redefining the ‘Wounded' Warrior and Family" yesterday afternoon in Hale Library's Hemisphere Room.

Mantz, Jeff and Sheri spoke on post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that gained more recognition by the military after suicide rates increased from 89 deaths in 2008 to 110 in 2009, according to an Oct. 2, 2009, article on military.com.


The Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families lecture was originally intended only for the Trauma and Disorders class taught by Briana Nelson Goff, but was opened up to the public. Goff is the director of the institute and associate dean for academic affairs of the College of Human Ecology.
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Officers speak about post-war experiences