The life you need to save this time is yours

A Battle You Earned the Right to Win
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 12, 2017


You trained hard to be ready for wherever you would have to go.

Readiness Reach Airman 1st Class Brian Piperato low-crawls through an obstacle during a readiness assessment at Camp Blanding, Fla., Dec. 7, 2017, aimed at preparing airmen for the Army Air Assault School curriculum. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Snider

You prepared to be able to do whatever it would take to do your job.

Rappel Readiness A Marine rappels down a cliff during the 3rd Marine Division Annual Squad Competition in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 4, 2017. The squad competition determines which of four units is the fittest for combat. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Desmond Martin

You did your best to stay calm as well as courageous.

Blue Wings A member of the Air Force’s Wings of Blue Parachute Demonstration Team jumps out of an aircraft during the opening ceremony of Aviation Nation 2017 Nellis Air and Space Expo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 10, 2017. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Tanenbaum 

But as you fought like hell to stay alive when you were deployed, 

Viewing the WallMarines enrolled in the Marine Corps University’s Sergeants Course view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Nov. 3, 2017, during a motivational run with Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, the senior enlisted advisor to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro 

what made you think you should not fight hell to stay alive afterwards?

Was it something someone said or was it something you told yourself?

Did you tell yourself to forget the reason you joined the military in the first place? You know. The part where you decided life mattered so much to you that you were willing to die for someone else?

Did you think about going back home to your family and friends? Did you think that part of you had changed? Well, partly right. Change happens with everyday humans live. The thing is, who we are does not change with "how" we are.

You brought back a battle with you, only not the one you thought you'd ever have to fight. It is a battle of you against you.

In combat, you were not alone because no one wins a war alone. Same thing back home. No one wins when you decide to fight this one by yourself. 

Besides how many times did you say something and hear someone else say the same thing? Need help, then ask for it. Safe bet someone you know needs it too.

Give yourself a Christmas gift this year and take back your life. Stop giving PTSD the power it does not deserve. It did not defeat you when "it" hit you.

You already earned the right to win this battle!