Fort Bragg troops find ways to battle stress of combat

Fort Bragg troops find ways to battle stress of combat

BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN — In a combat environment like Afghanistan, where soldiers are on alert, working long hours and away from their families, stress is inevitable. Military studies show soldiers who see combat are likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder when they come home.

Troops with Fort Bragg’s 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade are stationed in Afghanistan for a year. When they feel stressed, they can turn to Brigade Chaplain Maj. Stanton Trotter.

“I find that people’s commitment to God, their connection to the scared, their spirituality, is far deeper in a combat zone than in garrison,” he said.

Trotter's theory holds true for veteran soldiers like Capt. Donald Minchew. He says his family, faith and fellow soldiers help him minimize stress.

“Especially knowing that people have deployed before. They are battle hardened, I guess you could say, drawing strength from each other,” Minchew said.
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