Navigating Post-Traumatic Stress in Military Veterans: Jason’s Story
by Emily G. Peters
Warriors, protectors, heroes—it’s not uncommon for military veterans to be described as impenetrable forces with superhuman strength. But their courage often conceals a silent battle that too often goes unnoticed: Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
While PTS may self-resolve and PTSD is a more chronic mental health condition, neither is rare among veterans. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that 7% of veterans will experience PTSD, with that number jumping to 29% for more recent veterans of wars in the Middle East.
Introducing Jason: U.S. Veteran
Jason is just one of those veterans. Growing up between California and Louisiana, he describes himself as outdoorsy and sport-obsessed, even lettering in track his freshman year of high school. But he always knew he’d enlist in the military. “It was a family tradition,” he says.
Before his early twenties were over, Jason already completed three deployments—including two in Iraq. His first traumatic event occurred within a few months.
“October 20 is the day I got blown up by a car bomb in Iraq. I was 20 feet away,” he explains. Learning the fates of his fellow soldiers during his second deployment in Iraq brought similar pain.
“While we were passed out with other tasks, our battalion brothers in Baghdad were dying, and we were only being notified through the newspapers or from our family members back home,” he remembers. “And that’s all I have to say about that right now.”
After his third duty station in Washington, the gravity of Jason’s experiences finally washed over him. With his marriage on the rocks, he found himself mentally and physically exhausted, eventually leading to addiction, a conviction, and homelessness.
“I was able to get off the prescription drugs and move back in with my parents in Southern California. But by then I was smoking medical marijuana nonstop, and I spent every day at the bar for a year,” he says. “What I’ve been going through has not only affected me, but those I love the most: my children, my family, my friends. Every day seems like Groundhog’s Day.”
Creating a Light in the Darkness: Operation Soldiers on Safari
Jason’s experiences aren’t uncommon. Studies show that the pain and trauma veterans carry can put them at higher risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide compared to civilians. With ongoing warfare and millions of military personnel serving worldwide, the potential for future human suffering is staggering.
But amid the darkness, there are beacons of hope. Research has shown that certain therapeutic modalities can significantly help veterans cope with Post-Traumatic Stress and reclaim their lives. Therapy, peer support groups, and community outreach programs play a vital role in veterans’ wellness journeys—and open the door to healing for those their pain has impacted.
As a society, it's crucial that we not only acknowledge the struggles our veterans face but also provide them with the support and resources they need to heal. At Deeper Roots Foundation, our Operation Soldiers on Safari program is designed to do just that.
“Operation Soldiers on Safari (S.O.S.) helps veterans re-lens their lives,” says Deeper Roots Founder Greg Schwabe, a fellow veteran. “We blend photography training, spiritual support, and immersion in the beauty of the South African wilderness to spark positive change for those who have dedicated their lives in service to others.”
This year, Jason will join the first Class of 2024 to participate in Operation S.O.S. in Sable Plains, South Africa. Together with a cohort of fellow service members from around the globe, he’ll take a step toward ending his recurrent “Groundhog’s Day” and securing his bright future.
We’re honored to support his journey—and the journeys of trauma survivors all around the world.
To make a supporting donation to Operation Soldiers on Safari, please click here. Please share this story to help raise awareness for veteran support. Thank you.