Secretary of the Army will visit Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Top Army official to unveil new PTSD review at Lewis-McChord
By Mark Miller
Published: Feb 3, 2013

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The Secretary of the Army will visit Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Monday to unveil the results of a controversial investigation triggered, in part, by local soldiers.

The results could lead to better mental health treatment for troops with post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

In the meantime, base officials are preparing for Monday's high-level visit as Secretary of the Army John McHugh comes under a lot of pressure to do something.

Lewis-McChord soldiers complained last year - accusing Madigan Army Medical Center doctors of changing PTSD diagnoses to other conditions that would cost the government less in benefit payouts.

That charge that upsets some military parents.

"That is important that they take care of these guys when they come back," says military parent Tony Scott. "It's not these guys' fault they did their part. The government should do their part."

Soldiers who wanted KOMO News to hide their identities say they think the Army has not done all it can for soldiers returning from combat with mental health issues.

"Listening and open ears to the soldiers - definitely, they do need to work on that," says one career soldier.

He said he is looking forward to hearing what the secretary will say Monday about the investigation into the complaints.

"You can make your speech - you can say anything. But has it happened yet?"
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