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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

After war, an Air Force pilot's life spirals out of control

After war, an Air Force pilot's life spirals out of control

I think they're trying to wash their hands of me instead of looking at the whole picture.
--Maj. Chad Bushman
By Ed Lavandera, CNN
February 8, 2011

The Air Force ordered Maj. Chad Bushman to have no contact with his wife and children for almost two years.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Pilot faces military inquiry that may result in being discharged
His wife detailed years of abuse upon her husband's return from duty
Military may have missed the early signs of PTSD
Board to determine whether it's in best interest of Air Force to keep the pilot in its ranks

San Francisco (CNN) -- Air Force Maj. Chad Bushman vividly remembers the worst day of his life, the sound of handcuffs gripping his wrists as six military officers took him away and told him he faced criminal charges for abusing his wife.

"It's shameful. There's no honor in it." Bushman said. "I'm very ashamed of how I had gotten."

What Bushman didn't know at that moment was that a military psychologist would soon determine that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and, he says, it led to years of abusing his wife. The diagnosis may have come too late, and the decorated pilot's military career could soon come to a disgraceful end. But Bushman says that he deserves a second chance and that the Air Force has let him down.

"I think they're trying to wash their hands of me," Bushman said. "Instead of looking at the whole picture of 'how did he get this way, and what could we have done to make him better or help him?' "

The secretary of the Air Force will ultimately decide whether Bushman can continue his career as a military pilot. This week, the case goes before a board of inquiry at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

How Bushman's career reached this point is a sad and often disturbing tale that raises questions about whether the military missed PTSD warning signs along the way.
read more here
After war, an Air Force pilot's life spirals out of control

UPDATE
Feb. 10, 2011

Air Force panel: Pilot with PTSD should be discharged
By Ed Lavandera, CNN
February 10, 2011 -- Updated 0257 GMT (1057 HKT)

Criminal charges against Chad Bushman were dismissed after his wife learned of his PTSD prognosis.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Board of Inquiry recommends honorable discharge for Maj. Chad Bushman
Bushman was accused of abusing his wife after deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan
His lawyer says Air Force failed to promptly diagnose his PTSD

Montgomery, Alabama (CNN) -- A three-member Board of Inquiry is recommending that a veteran Air Force pilot who has post-traumatic stress disorder be discharged under honorable conditions, according to the pilot's attorney.

Maj. Chad Bushman's 17-year flying career unraveled in November 2008 after he was arrested by military police and accused of abusing his wife in the four years after he returned home from war deployments into Iraq and Afghanistan.

Shortly after the board issued its recommendation Wednesday afternoon, Bushman said that, despite the discharge ruling, he was still hopeful that he could stay in the military. The board could have recommended a harsher ruling of a dishonorable discharge.

"I get to be back with my family. I'm blessed," Bushman said. "The family is the most important part. I'm accepting this is what's going to happen."

Bushman's attorney said the decorated pilot should be allowed to remain in the Air Force because the abuse would not have occurred had the Air Force properly diagnosed his PTSD after returning from war in 2004.

Stephen Karns, Bushman's attorney, argued before the review board that warning signs of the pilot's mental state were missed because the pilot was not given a psychological exam until four years after returning from the battlefield.
read more of this here
Pilot with PTSD should be discharged

18 comments:

  1. The foundation of man is... first God, then family and then country. I pray that Air Force Maj. Chad Bushman and his wife/family are getting the help they need.
    I hope that they rely on God to help them to strengthen their marriage and family unit.
    Behind every GOOD MAN and SOLDIER is a wife who is supportive and committed to her husband!!
    As we all know, abuse of a spouse should never happen, but when PTSD is present and not treated will bring heartache to all involved.
    Our Military needs to allow Air Force Maj. Chad Bushman to continue his job! They have even said he is a good soldier and does his job well!
    PLEASE AIR FORCE...DON'T KICK OUR SOLDIERS OUT WHILE THEY ARE DOWN!!!!
    I support the wife of Air Force Maj. Chad Bushman!! Your commitment to him is amazing!!
    Your vows to your husband..."In sickness and heath" will leave and impression/example for your children!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sickness and in health,you say. I "dated" this man for nearly a year with NO knowledge of his wife or children. He was very normal to me excluding the shady behaviour due to what I soon found were lies. Not ptsd. I wish them well but I have no pity for this man. No excuse. He is a diagrace.

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    Replies
    1. He abused his first wife, too...and that was before he was even a pilot or deployed. He is an evil person.

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  3. I too became "victim" to dating this guy with no knowledge of wife or kids. He is on every dating site, including very seedy ones.
    He uses several fake pictures that are similar to the way he looks and goes by the usernames scubamarkbutte or scubamark69 and others containing different versions of those words.
    If you know his wife, sadly please let her know, so other girls do not become his prey.

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    Replies
    1. Hello, I'm very sorry you had such a bad experience. I was planning on meeting him in MT before I got all this info on him...good thing I said ...No. I right now feel for his children. This man has hurt my heart.. Long time before I'm healed.

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  4. Really strange how he is attacked by "anonymous" posters. I could write whatever I wanted anywhere and never have to offer any proof for anything I had to say but since I do stand by my words, I don't hide behind "anonymous" posts.

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    Replies
    1. Have you considered these might be women that fear for their own safety? Do you even know Chad? Clearly you don't. You haven't been on the receiving end of his anger or witnessed his controlling behavior. The worst part is that he's smart. That makes him very dangerous. He abused women in the past, and he will continue to abuse women. It has nothing to do with PTSD.

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    2. Fell for him too. Even AFTER I read all the articles and comments and, a friend telling me for 2 hrs to stay away from him because of what he did to her best friend. AND, even stayed with him after he used my face as a punching bag (which I have pics of). NEVER thought I'd be "that" kind of woman. Then, found out he was married to his third wife while we were "together". I'm smart, a business owner, never previously put up with what I didn't deserve. Yet, couldn't get him out of my system. Finally went to a counselor who gave me a book to read about narcissistic sociopath and it all clicked. Wow! What an experience. One I will never repeat again. Makes me sick to my stomach what I put up with for so long. Valuable lesson

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  5. Considered it? Sure but would consider it more if you were not hiding behind Anonymous. If you leave a comment like this again under Anonymous, it will not be allowed and the rest of these will be removed. I wanted to give you a chance to have your voice heard but I am regretting it now.

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  6. Anonymous you just blew your last chance. I do not know him and have not "defended" him. Simply pointing out how easy it is to attack someone while hiding behind Anonymous. If you can't see that that is your problem. Why is it people think they can say whatever they want and not have to face any challenge by the people they are talking about? Free speech means others have the right to respond but they can't if they don't even know who you are. I am removing the comment now. Don't try it again.

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  7. Anonymous, why can't you take no for an answer? I will not post your comments while you attack people and just hide behind an anonymous. How about you start your own blog where you can do whatever you want and post as much about what you want as you like?

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  8. I feel very sorry for him. I thought we were starting a Relationship Together..to my shock I found .. He's Married with children. OMG!! And he lied about ALL of IT!!! I feel sick inside and feel like my bones are cracking. No longer feel sorry for his wife. Sick Soul.

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  9. Lies, lies, lies, ... He really hurt my heart. I feel very Sick Inside right now. It will take some time before I'm fully over this. OMG!!! No longer feel sorry for his wife.. Just his children.

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  10. Is he Still Married? My heart is crushed..I can't no matter How hard I try ...I Can't get that image Out of my head...Of him holding his wife. This belongs on Dateline.

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  11. Is there " Anyone " currently involved with maj. Chad Bushman..? I ask this now because I'm "currently " trying Very Very Hard to End all communications via iPhone texts and it's been SO hard. He is very Cruel with his words and is a sick person. I'm a Good Person with many Morals and Values. I'm living a Plush and Wonderful life. Friends family healthy and loving my life. Attacking words to me have hit and killed my heart. Does anyone else have these feels or is it Just me?? This person Needs help and therapy. I have NO more words to express how much he has hurt me.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Michelle,

    WIth all due respect--you are going on and on about this man by making all sorts of horrible comments and assumptions. It is my guess, he denied your request for a date or relationship and are using this forum to see revenge.

    Admittedly, I could be wrong. However, five posts over two days equates to a woman who was denied her advances.

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  13. Not to be judgmental (unlike you), it seems your five posts over two days equates to a woman who was denied her advances. Instead of accepting his lack of interest--you lash out an attack him.

    Your venom is obvious. However, it appears your foundation is skewed.

    It is laughable the many times a woman is rebuffed and retaliates with a slew of hate speech. I wonder if he could sue you.

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  14. For the record, Chad Bushman has been using my picture on multiple dating sites. He has been warned by police not to do so. So in the future, if you see a picture of Chad Bushman, it may not be him.

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