Despite the recent “end” of the Iraq war, those of us at Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center know that the impact of ten years of war continues on the home front and is far from over. We are still
engaged in a ground war in Afghanistan despite the slow draw down of forces, and recently over 4,000 Ft. Hood soldiers shifted from Iraq to Kuwait. Deployments are not over.
By January, more than 8,000 soldiers will return to Ft. Hood. They are returning to a base with services already overwhelmed, and they will face many obstacles in accessing trauma care and overcoming the stigma that still surrounds trauma.
An active duty service member commits suicide every 36 hours. 18 veterans commit suicide every day. Every day at Under the Hood we continue to work to break the isolation that service members and
military family members experience by offering a space to relax, gather and speak freely about the wars and military life with their peers and to work together for change.
Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center is run almost entirely on the unpaid labor of our volunteers which consist primarily of veterans, active duty soldiers and military family members. We have only one paid staff person.
“I want my feelings to get out and be heard. And that is what Under the Hood is doing for me. We are getting stuff done, and we have got the potential to do so much more… Im feeling like I am accomplishing what I have been wanting to do ever since I came back from Iraq. I saw all kinds of nonsense in Iraq. I want to speak out. I guess you could call it the focal point, the head, this is
where all the energy is focused and we are accomplishing things. I feel like I am just reaching so many more people.”
- Curtis Sirmans, Ft Hood soldier and Under the Hood volunteer
Here are some highlights of what Under the
Hood Cafe and Outreach Center has accomplished in the last six
months:
***We have had a 200% increase in visitors to the Under the Hood since July of this year.
***We renovated Under the Hood, painting the interior and building a coffee bar, a
designated childcare space, an art-making room and a stage area for hosting community events.
***We partnered with Iraq Veterans Against the War’s Operation Recovery, a campaign to defend service members and veterans right to heal and to stop the practice of deploying traumatized troops
experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In May we helped launch an outreach drive and have talked with over 350 active duty soldiers about their experience with these issues.
***On Veterans Day, we partnered with the Ft. Hood chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War to participate in the Killeen Veterans’ Day parade to raise awareness of the issues that Ft. Hood
soldiers face in accessing trauma care. We distributed over 400 leaflets to parade attendees about
Operation Recovery and Under the Hood and received very favorable media coverage by a local television station. We are helping to shape the conversation about these issues by highlighting the direct experience of those who are most impacted and by demanding the changes that they identify as needed at Ft. Hood.
***We held monthly woman’s nights and will increase our women’s programming in the new year to address the unique needs of women service and family members.
***We host weekly community organizing meetings.
***We expanded our referral capacity to an extended network of mental health providers.
***We developed a volunteer program and now have over 15 regular volunteers on the ground.
***We developed an arts based program to open a healing space, creating dialogue in the community that extends beyond the confines of words. Yo(ur) Art Show, Combat Paper Project and Warrior Writers Ft. Hood Community Arts Forum have been transformational experiences for us here.
***We offer in-house individual GI rights counseling in partnership with the San Diego Military Counseling Project, a member group of the GI Rights Hotline.
***We host weekly “Ribs and Rights”, a free BBQ and peer training on service members’ rights. In the spirit of peer support and empowerment, veterans, active duty soldiers and family members research and teach each other about service members’ rights and how to navigate through issues they face at Ft. Hood. An average of 10 participants come weekly but we know that the impact of these trainings
reaches far more people as participants are armed with knowledge that they can share with fellow soldiers back on base.
“The issues that Under the Hood addresses dont go away, regardless of the end of the Iraq war. I think in the next couple of months…couple of years, there is going to be a lot of soldiers in this area that will find themselves pretty confused, pretty lost with what’s going on and maybe this place can help with that.
Under the Hood allows people of all different backgrounds, whether they are prior service, active duty, family member, or just a community member, it allows them an outlet to express themselves or plug into something that they might not be able to find in other parts of thiscommunity.”
–Chris May, Ft. Hood soldier and Under the Hood volunteer
Thank you to all who made it possible for us to expand our programs to continue meet the needs of the community in the Ft. Hood area. We depend primarily on individual donors to fund our work. In order to continue to be able to provide these vital programs we urge you to become a sustaining donor to Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center today.
Sincerely,
Under the Hood staff and volunteers,
Lori, Kyle, Chris, Curtis, Amy, Sean, Alice, Heidi, Fran, Jim, Cindy and Naomi
The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center, FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Screening of film on GI coffee house at Fort Lewis, Washington
“Grounds for Resistance,” is a documentary about
the “Coffee Strong” coffee house located outside the Fort Lewis, WA, Army base.
Inspired by the Vietnam-era G.I. coffee house movement, Coffee Strong provides a
safe space where service members, military families, and veterans can gather and
discuss their experiences of war, deployment concerns, the hardships of life in
the military, and veteran benefits.
Aaron Hughes, an organizer with Iraq Vets Against
the War, http://www.ivaw.org/, will be on hand to answer questions and
speak about IVAW’s “Operation Recovery” program to assist active-duty and vets
with issues related to repeated deployments.
Staff and volunteers from the “Under the Hood”
coffee shop in Killeen near Ft. Hood will also be available to answer questions
about their work. http://www.underthehoodcafe.org/
The $5 suggested donation will benefit Under the
Hood.
This evening the Austin AFL-CIO Council [Central Labor Council] was privileged to have members of the Fort Hood Operation Recovery team as guests and presenters. Visitors to the CLC meeting were Aaron Hughes, Scott Kimball, and Sergio Kochergin of Iraq Veterans Against the War; Lori Hurlebaus of the Civilian Soldier Alliance; Alice Embree of the Fort Hood Support Network (who is also a member of the Texas State Employees Union).
Aaron spoke of the need for solidarity among soldiers, veterans, and workers. Soldiers are workers–they are public employees; and our unions have many veterans as members. Many soldiers come from union families and go back to unions when discharged. But the unemployment rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is 21% (12% more than the national average). The rate is even higher among African-American and female veterans–about 30%.
Many soldiers suffer from war trauma and nonetheless are redeployed. Suicide rates among active-duty troops are twice as high as that of the civilian population, and veterans with PTSD are 6 times more likely to attempt suicide. 20% to 50% of all service members deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One in 3 women in the military are sexually assaulted. 1 in 3 soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq say they can’t see a mental health professional when they need to, and nearly 20% of service members are taking some kind of psychiatric drug.
Aaron pointed out the huge expense of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This money is needed at home–and we owe veterans the benefits and health treatment they need.
Most of the CLC delegates signed the pledge of support for Operation Recovery that our visitors passed around. It states: “I pledge to support the Operation Recovery campaign to the best of my ability. In a war where soldiers are being injured faster than the military can treat them, I will work alongside veterans and service members to end the cycles of trauma and abuse.” The pledge sheet further explains: “Join Iraq Veterans Against the War and Civilian Soldier Alliance in our effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and PTSD. By signing our pledge, you agree to do what you can to help defend the rights of soldiers to heal and to hold accountable those who are responsible for deploying traumatized troops. As the Operation Recovery campaign unfolds, we will be calling on you to help in a variety of ways.”
There was discussion from the CLC delegates, several of whom are veterans. A Teamster rep described their program to get members back into jobs when they get home from the military. A member of AFSCME indicated she has personal experience with veterans’ mental health problems and wants to get a group she works with in touch with Operation Recovery. There was also interest among the delegates in U.S. Labor Against the War–USLAW brochures were available as well as Operation Recovery literature.
Instead of receiving the healthcare they
deserve, many of our service members suffering from post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and military sexual trauma (MST)
are being redeployed.
Please join us for a
benefit concert and
speak-out/teach-in supporting
Presented by
Iraq Veterans Against the War
and sponsored by The
Dallas Peace Center, The First Unitarian Church of Dallas,
Code Pink Greater Dallas, and North Texas Veterans for Peace
Under the Hood welcomes Kyle Wesolowski as the new manager. After several years of devoted service to Under the Hood, Cindy Thomas recently stepped down as manager so that she could be closer to her family. Cindy remains an important part of the UTH family and the soldiers, veterans, volunteers, and board members will never be able to thank her enough for everything that she has done. Jim Turpin, a longtime volunteer with UTH had this to say when he heard the news: “Cindy has made such a difference in so many people’s lives, there are really too many of them to count. Some of these young men and women are alive, happy, and healthy today because of her selfless work.”
With Kyle Wesolowski’s recent release from the military, this is a great opportunity for him to provide some of the same kind of support to soldiers that he received when working to be acknowledged as a Conscientious Objector. With Kyle as the new manager, Malachi Muncy working on a 12 week internship, and support from IVAW staff working in Killeen on Operation Recovery, this is an exciting time for Under the Hood.
Check out some of the things that have been going on this month at UTH.
Operation Recovery campaign requests a meeting with the new General at Fort Hood: In late April, Lt. General Donald Campbell, Jr. took command of the Army’s Third Corps and Fort Hood, the largest and most deployed military installation in the United States. On General Campbell’s first week at work, IVAW, in coordination with Under the Hood staff, sent him a letter requesting he meet with representatives of the Operation Recovery Campaign about the ongoing mental health epidemic raging at Fort Hood. Since then, Operation Recovery members have gotten no response from the General’s office.
Fort Hood Commander is put on watch: After receiving no response from the new Commander, Operation Recovery members attempted to meet with him on base on May 25th. After being escorted off of the base, members built a watchtower as a symbolic act to let the General know that his actions in reference to the health and well-being of soldiers at Fort Hood are on watch.
Grill the General Barbecue and fundraiser held on Memorial Day: A fundraiser and barbecue was held at Under the Hood on Monday, May 31st. Soldiers, veterans, and civilians all came together to discuss work being done in Killeen and enjoyed a great meal together. Funds raised at the barbecue will go to support the continued work being done to support soldiers in need.
Under the Hood and IVAW members talk about Operation Recovery on Rag Radio: On June 10th, Thorne Dreyer interviewed Aaron Hughes, Malachi Muncy, Scott Kimball and Sergio K about Operation Recovery, their personal experiences, and their work to stop the abuse of traumatized soldiers. Listen to the podcast here.
Here is a way that YOU can help a soldier in need. PFC Ryan Reed recently received a 10 month sentence at a court-martial at Fort Hood, Texas.
His crime? – He put his family first.
PFC Reed tried to get help from his chain of command when his wife suffered from serious health issues after the birth of their first child, but his requests were repeatedly denied. In fact he was told by some of his NCOs that he should give up his child to either his parents (or the state), so that he could legally abandon his family and deploy with his unit.
PFC Reed left the unit for six months. Upon return he was told that his family would still get no help (he was even forbidden to talk to the chaplain about his problems) and that he must deploy. This time he fled again, taking his family to Canada where he believed he would be safe from prosecution and his wife could get the care that she needed.
In October 2010, PFC Reed made the difficult decision to voluntarily return to the United States. Upon return he was arrested and then escorted back to Fort Hood, Texas.
At trial PFC Reed plead guilty to one count of AWOL and one count of desertion. He then presented a strong case showing (1) his serious family hardship, (2) his old unit’s failure to help him, (3) his positive service history upon return to military control, (4) his high rehabilitation potential, and (5) the difficulty his family will experience if he is given jail time. PFC Reed asked the judge to give him a BCD (bad conduct discharge) in lieu of jail time, but he was instead given a 10 month sentence (coupled with the BCD, loss of pay and loss of rank).
The good news is that this fight is not over. PFC Reed has a right under MCM 1105 to submit written matters in mitigation to the convening authority (Lt. General Donald Campbell, Jr., CG of Fort Hood). We are asking members of the public to write letters of support asking the general to suspend part or all of the 10 month sentence.
Details will be posted soon on what these letters should say and how they can be submitted. In the meantime, please “like” our page on Facebook ( Free PFC Ryan Reed campaign) to show your support for PFC Reed.
This Memorial Day, we remember three fearless activists for peace.
Nick Travis III, 55, passed away suddenly early Monday morning, May 24, 2010 in Austin. Nick, a long-time peace activist, was known to show up at Under the Hood with his guitar and infectious smile. People couldn’t help but be a little happier with Nick around.
Lisa Morris, 28, passed away unexpectedly the next day, May 25, 2010, in Copperas Cove. Lisa, a regular at Under the Hood, always made sure to stand in protest with fellow soldiers, veterans and family members at the gates of Fort Hood. She left behind many friends.
Then on January 30, 2011, Nel LeBar passed away, surrounded by her family after losing a battle with cancer. In the words of Nel’s granddaughter: ”Nel lived a life of grace and love. Her absence will leave no small hole for those who called her friend, which includes her family. Those who knew her were changed by her, and those who met her were inspired. Her legacy will live on in the memories and hearts that carry her spirit always. She didn’t waste one moment here on Earth and demonstrated love in everything that she did. Her gentle soul that longed for peace has finally found it.”
Although we miss Nick, Lisa and Nel more than words can say, we continue to work for peace in their memory.
Your continued support of Under the Hood allows us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.
The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center. FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Donations may be treated as tax-deductible.
Interested in sharing some of your time and talents with Under the Hood? We are always happy for support in any form. Along with monetary support to keep our doors open, we can always use other forms of assistance. If you believe that you can provide support in some way, please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to put you to work!
Check out the ResiStore! Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.
Under the Hood Update is on Facebook.Become a fan! You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood. Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website! If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here.
May is a busy month at Under the Hood. Iraq Veterans Against the War headed to UTH this month, as part of its Operation Recovery Campaign, in its continued effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma . IVAW has requested a meeting with General Don Campbell. Read IVAW’s letter to General Campbell here. IVAW has not yet received a response, but their efforts to reach the General is only the beginning of the work they plan to do while in Fort Hood. IVAW’s organizing team will work for several months to outreach to soldiers, build their case against the military’s egregious practices, conduct town hall meetings, and pressure Fort Hood’s new General to do the right thing
Under the Hood has a new intern! He’s a longtime supporter of UTH – Malachi Muncy. This internship through the national G.I. Coffeehouse Network started on May 9th and will last for a total of 12 weeks. Malachy will be working closely with the Under the Hood staff, volunteers an board members to build working relationships with veterans, servicemembers and the civilian community. We’re very excited to have him on staff.
Regina Vasquez brings her Fatigues Clothesline to UTH. This 8 week series beginning May 15th, from 5-7 pm, is for women only. To find out more, you can reach Regina at [email protected].
Join us on Memorial Day as we celebrate Kyle Wesolowski’s release from the army! As we told you in our March issue, Kyle’s Conscientious Objector claim was approved by the U.S. Army. Since he was notified of his CO status, Kyle has been on terminal leave. After months of patiently waiting, Kyle will officially be out of the military by Memorial Day!
Here are the details:
What: Under the Hood BBQ and get-together
When: Monday, May 30th, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center, 17 College Street, Killeen Texas
A $10 suggested donation is requested to cover the cost of food, however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. GIs are welcome to join us free of charge.
Meet new friends and get together with old ones. We look forward to seeing you on the 30th!
The Fort Hood Support Network, sponsor of Under the Hood, is very pleased to receive a 2011 grant from RESIST, an organization that has funded forty years of social change. The “Hell Yes!” Grant was awarded for leadership in the movement for social justice on April 3, 2011. RESIST says, “The ‘Hell Yes!’ Grant honors the spirit of resistance to illegitimate authority and is awarded to groups that embody the moral clarity, courage and political commitment to challenge the forces that drive toward war and place profits over people.” The Fort Hood Support Network board member and treasurer says: “We are honored to be a ‘Hell Yes!’ grant recipient.”
Your continued support of Under the Hood allows us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.
The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center. FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Donations may be treated as tax-deductible.
Interested in sharing some of your time and talents with Under the Hood? We are always happy for support in any form. Along with monetary support to keep our doors open, we can always use other forms of assistance. If you believe that you can provide support in some way, please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to put you to work!
Check out the ResiStore! Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.
Under the Hood Update is on Facebook.Become a fan! You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood. Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website!
If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here.
Check out what’s going on this month at Under the Hood.
April 2011
UTH continues to team up with Iraq Veterans Against the War in an effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma. The Operation Recovery Campaign is in full gear and members of IVAW will be coming to Under the Hood in the coming weeks to continue work on this important campaign.
There is still time to join us for “Monday Night at the Movies.” every other Monday through September. Click here for a full list of scheduled films.
A new internship opportunity has opened up at Under the Hood. This internship through the national G.I. Coffeehouse Network starts on May 9th and will last for a total of 12 weeks. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to run a young nonprofit or community organization and in building strong connections and working relationships with veterans and servicemembers. For more information about this internship check out the information on our website.
It takes courage to risk one’s career and reputation by becoming a whistleblower,
defined as “a person who informs on someone engaged in an illicit activity.” For retired FBI agent Coleen Rowley, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, remaining quiet was not an option. Her actions put her on the cover of TIME Magazine’s 2002 Person of the Year issue, along with fellow whistleblowers Cynthia Cooper of WorldCom and Sherron Watkins of Enron.
Coleen Rowley’s memo to FBI director Robert Mueller was published in Time Magazine in May 2002. Since that time, Ms. Rowley continues to speak out against misuse of national security and the resulting loss of civil liberties.
Coleen Rowley shared her story to a captivated audience in Austin on Sunday, April 3rd at 5604 Manor with her presentation entitled “How Top Secret America Misfires”. All proceeds raised were donated to Fort Hood Support Network to support the work of Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center. To view her Austin presentation, view the video here.
Your continued support of Under the Hood allows us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.
The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center. FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Donations may be treated as tax-deductible.
Interested in sharing some of your time and talents with Under the Hood? We are always happy for support in any form. Along with monetary support to keep our doors open, we can always use other forms of assistance. If you believe that you can provide support in some way, please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to put you to work!
Check out the ResiStore! Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.
Under the Hood Update is on Facebook.Become a fan! You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood. Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website! If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here.
Staff and volunteers with Under the Hood are starting off the year with renewed energy!
As the wars drag on in Afghanistan and Iraq, the new year reminds us that we must renew our commitment to peace, so we are starting off the year with a busy schedule. In coordination with Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), here are a few things that we have on our calendar for January and February:
IVAW/Veterans for Peace Joint Meeting, January 22nd 1p.m. at Under the Hood Cafe: Bringing together the pro-soldier anti-war veteran community in Central Texas. Opportunities to get to know one another, discuss upcoming events and dates, and to discuss active duty outreach. Consider getting involved at the start to help make history at Fort Hood this year.
GI Rights Training, Saturday, January 29th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 30th, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Under the Hood Cafe. Come learn about your rights as a GI and how you can help other GIs fight for their rights in this two-day training led by Military Law Task Force member and lawyer James Branum. Fee: We are asking $25 per person to help cover the travel costs for the trainer.
Participants will gain a broad beginner’s knowledge about GI rights (rights to which all current service members of the US armed forces are entitled), connect with people who care about these issues and/or are already connected to organizing with people in the military, and be well on your way to becoming a GI rights counselor.
When: January 29th and 30th, Saturday 10-5PM and Sunday 1-5 PM
Where: Under the Hood Cafe, 17 S. College St., Killeen, TX
Fee: We are asking $25 per person to help cover the travel costs for the trainer.
Those interested in this training should RSVP Kyle at [email protected].
Outreach Action – From the 24th of January through the middle of February IVAW FortHood and Under the Hood Cafe are going to be heavily focused on outreach to the 1st Cavalry Division that will be deploying 3,500 soldiers to Afghanistan and Iraq. This mobilization is part of a deployment of 23,000 soldiers from across the country to Afghanistan to replace the 101st Airborne that are set to return in February.
This outreach will conclude with a highly visible action that will include “harass the brass” tactics and messages that include:
We know that the command of the 1st Cav. is deploying wounded soldiers.
We know that this is a violation of these soldiers’ right to heal.
We want you to know that you are not alone.
You have a right to heal and you do not have to deploy with PTSD.
In addition to these upcoming activities, here are a couple of things that have already happened so far this month:
Cindy Thomas, Manager with Under the Hood, talks about the suicide rates at Fort Hood and the lack of support that soldiers receive when suffering with PTSD. Check out her interview with Channel 10 News (KWTX) in Waco here.
Under the Hood recently hosted a slam poetry night. It was a success, and now staff and volunteers are considering some writing workshops!
Your continued support of Under the Hood allows us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.
The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center. FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Donations may be treated as tax-deductible.
Fort Hood Support Network is proud to inform its supporters that Under the Hood recently received a $300 grant from RESIST Inc. In addition, Under the Hood is working with the War Resisters League who recently received funding to provide support to GI coffeehouses across the U.S. If you know of other grant opportunities, please feel free to contact us. We are always looking for opportunities to increase our base of support.
Interested in sharing some of your time and talents with Under the Hood? We are always happy for support in any form. Along with monetary support to keep our doors open, we can always use other forms of assistance. If you believe that you can provide support in some way, please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to put you to work!
Under the Hood Update is on Facebook.Become a fan! You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood. Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
Check out the ResiStore! Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.
Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website! If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here.
Fort Hood suicide rate four times the national average? Austin activist and Under the Hood Cafe volunteer Jim Turpin takes another look at the escalating crisis of GI suicides and PTSD.
Under the Hood Café near Ft. Hood in Killeen Texas is a place where active duty GIs and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan can discuss the debilitating effects of war. Photo from Under the Hood / Flickr.
Texas’ Fort Hood sets the pace:
PTSD and suicides in the military
are at an all-time high
By Jim Turpin / The Rag Blog / October 27, 2010
KILLEEN, Texas — Even with the spin from the current administration that the “war is over” in Iraq, it is well known that 50,000 combat-ready troops remain in the country. Add to that a recent deployment of 2,000 troops from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood in Texas. At present almost 100,000 troops remain in Afghanistan.
With the total number of U.S. military personnel cycling through both Afghanistan and Iraq at almost 1.8 million, and with the RAND corporation estimating that 18% have PTSD (which is deemed low by some experts), this would put the returning numbers with PTSD at 324,000.
A recent article in The New York Times confirms what the organizers of the Killeen-based GI coffeehouse Under the Hood Café have been battling at Fort Hood for the last year and a half: suicides are at the highest point since 2008, with 14 confirmed suicides since the beginning of 2010. In one recent weekend, there were three suicides and one murder-suicide at Fort Hood.
With the population at Fort Hood ranging from 46,000 to 50,000 soldiers at any given time, the rate of suicide is four times the national average, based on Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates of 11.5 suicides per 100,000 people.
The repeated deployment of military personnel who suffer from both physical and psychological wounds has led to these all-time high suicide rates. A recent article in the American Journal of Public Health studied 2,500 New Jersey National Guardsmen and determined “deployed soldiers were more than three times as likely as soldiers with no previous deployments to screen positive for post traumatic stress disorder.”
Despite these staggering statistics, the Fort Hood command continues to find ways to deny soldiers their right to receive necessary mental health services. Several soldiers have come forward recently with reports of harassment, undue punishment, and interference when seeking these necessary services.
A number of examples include:
The imprisonment of SPC. Eric Jasinski in March 2010. Jasinski, who was suffering from PTSD, refused redeployment to Iraq based on this condition. It was feared that Jasinski’s confinement could interfere with his ability to receive his prescribed medications. Eric’s attorney James Branum stated, “He was seeing a psychiatrist for his condition and prescribed Zoloft for depression and Trazadone to get to sleep, and they handed him his gun and told him to go back to Iraq.”
The deployment of 50 soldiers from Ft. Hood with physical (knee, back, and shoulder issues due to bomb blasts) and psychological (PTSD/TBI) issues in June 2010 to the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, California. Combat training for those soldiers with verified PTSD and other anxiety disorders runs counterintuitive to generally accepted psychiatric practices.
Recent reports from soldiers at Ft. Hood suffering from PTSD and substance abuse who are being given extra work loads or are being kept from dealing with additional personal crises at home. Issues they are confronted with include being given medication only (instead of counseling) or being ignored by the chain of command when they request assistance.
Veteran deaths also surge after discharge from the military and are often the result of vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes, drug overdoses, or other causes. An article this month in The New York Times discusses the huge number of veteran deaths attributed to destructive, risky, and lethal behaviors:
“The data show that veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan were two and a half times as likely to commit suicide as Californians of the same age with no military service. They were twice as likely to die in a vehicle accident and five and a half times as likely to die in a motorcycle accident. These numbers are truly alarming and should wake up the whole country,” said United States Representative Bob Filner, Democrat of San Diego, who is the chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“They show a failure of our policy.”
The Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center, the GI coffeehouse located near Ft. Hood, Texas, the largest military base in the U.S., offers GIs a free speech zone. It provides a non-military environment that allows active duty GIs and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to discuss the debilitating effects of war. Under the Hood offers free referrals for medical and psychological services and legal assistance for those soldiers who are resisting redeployment to war zones.
To benefit its ongoing efforts in support of GIs, veterans, and military families, Under the Hood is having a “Hoodstock Flashback” concert (see graphic below) on Sunday, November 14, from 6-11 p.m. at Jovita’s in Austin. Admission is $10 at the door and includes such artists as Barbara K, Karen Abrahams, Will T. Massey, and Richard Bowden.
[Jim Turpin is a native Austinite and member of CodePink Austin. He also volunteers for the GI coffeehouse Under the Hood Café at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas.]
RIVETING VIDEO!!! by Jeff Zavala: Direct action at Fort Hood and resistence against deployment of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq, by veterans and military family members, Aug. 22, 2010.
Every day we are transforming lives affected by war. We urge you to become a sustaining donor or make a one-time donation today.
participate in the Killeen Veterans’ Day parade to raise awareness of the issues that Ft. Hood
“The issues that Under the Hood addresses dont go away, regardless of the end of the Iraq war. I think in the next couple of months…couple of years, there is going to be a lot of soldiers in this area that will find themselves pretty confused, pretty lost with what’s going on and maybe this place can help with that.
the needs of the community in the Ft. Hood area. We depend primarily on individual donors to fund our work. In order to continue to be able to provide these vital programs we urge you to become a sustaining donor to Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center today.
July 19, 2011
