Gary Sinise's iconic role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump provided the world a glimpse into a soldier fighting his post-war mental monsters with alcohol and anguish. Although a fictitious character, Lt. Dan's use of alcohol to drown out the psychological and physical pain is a reality for thousands of service members who served here and abroad.
In the 1990s, we trained for a conventional war based on a Russian threat. Conventional forces battled on training grounds against imaginary forces called Krasnovians. The military focused on large-scale at a distance war, not up close and personal like the Vietnam War. Back then, I was Private Piccolo serving in an era with no wars on the immediate horizon. Words like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) did not play into any military warfighting variable. If soldiers drank too much, they would be sent to counseling. Any drug use would see them discharged—conventional rules for conventional times.
The Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) changed the fighting dynamic and placed our fighting forces in direct combat with unconventional forces. As a result, training for war completely changed. As Captain Piccolo, in 2005, I saw our train-up to the Middle East focused on in-person, close-up contact with indigenous forces and hidden enemies.
For over twenty years, men and women served here and abroad in the GWOT. Thousands left the service and sought methods to heal from their experiences through drugs or alcohol, falling into a cycle of substance abuse. Many not knowing there is help out there for them and thinking they are alone in the fight.
In the veteran and military community, Gary Sinise is a known quantity when it comes to charity and support of veterans and the military. Sinise has volunteered with veteran's organizations and made appearances since the 1980s. Then, a decade ago, Sinise took the next step. He created the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to "serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need."
Sinise recognizes the need for mental health care for our nation's veterans. Sinise states, "Too many of our nation's heroes are struggling with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. These heroes, who have sacrificed so much in defense of our nation's precious freedom and security, are losing this battle. We, as citizens, must do our part to support them. With the addition of Forge Health and Warriors Heart, the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network can expand our efforts to turn the tide on the staggering number of active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders we lose to suicide every single day. The need is immense, but with the support of the American people, we will continue to provide our heroes with the care and treatment they so greatly deserve."
I reached out to Ryan Hendrickson, retired Green Beret and author. Hendrickson knows the cost of war firsthand, almost losing a limb after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan. Hendrickson told me, "Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide between veterans and our first responders have increased at an unprecedented rate in our country. From invisible wounds associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the unrelenting stress our first responders face day to day, our nation's hero's are under attack and fighting a battle many are losing. As a nation, we need to make sure our hero's know they do not have to go into this battle alone, and there are programs that will be that battle buddy on your left and right. Programs like The Gary Sinise Foundation will go to battle with and arm our heroes for the war against these hidden wounds. Never go into battle alone because you are not alone. Please reach out and know that so many of us are on your side, no matter how dark the times may seem or the situation you may find yourself in."
From one veteran to another, there is help out there. You are not in this alone.
Dr. Jason Piccolo (@DRJasonPiccolo) has over 21-years in federal law enforcement. He is a former U.S. Army Infantry Captain (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and host of The Protectors Podcast.
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