“What has been seen cannot be unseen, what has been learned cannot be unknown. You cannot change the past, but you can learn from it. You can grow from it. You can be made stronger. You can use that strength to change your life, to change your future.” C.A. Woolf
Those who choose to serve their country in the military, whether active, veteran, or family member, a grateful citizenry thanks you. Those who choose to serve their communities in civilian uniformed service, your neighbors sincerely appreciate you being there to assist in times of crisis and urgency.
Military service is more than wearing a uniform and chain of command. The military culture is best summarized in the Soldier’s Creed.
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained, and
proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.
I am an expert, and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of
the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
However, uniformed service based upon Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage often becomes more complicated as it applies to our personal life when our uniform is off. When out of uniform, we become merely human beings in relationship with ourselves, our spouses, our children, our parents, our neighbors, those times when we voluntarily choose to step down.
Additionally, times of transition from military to civilian life are frequently a mixture of celebration and grief, leaving the familiar to pursue our next great life adventure. Yet, for many, what our eyes have seen does not come off as quickly as our uniform.
What our eyes have seen often does not stop at the end of our tour of duty. What our eyes have seen can frequently trigger troubling thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, especially when we are out of uniform. Yet remember, you need not accept defeat; you are disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained, and proficient.
Service members, veterans, and their families frequently have difficulties finding trained behavioral health providers who know military culture and the specific issues affecting the military community. This includes civilian uniformed service members such as police, firefighters, and other first responders.
If your declaration of “Mission Accomplished” is being delayed because of what your eyes have seen, always remember that you are part of a team and have the skill set, responsibility, and permission to call for assistance. You have earned the right to declare your “Mission Accomplished,” leave no part of yourself behind, and never quit.
Serving Those Who Have Served: Therapy for Active Duty Military, Veterans & Military Spouses
Dr. Gene Devers of Philly Family Life Counseling LLC has served as a civilian volunteer TDY with GS-15E rating, traveling internationally under military orders as an American Red Cross Debriefing Specialist during Desert Shield/Storm. Dr. Devers also trained at the Center For Deployment Psychology (CDP) in the Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) program: Civilian Professionals, Military Sensitivity, has an active listing on SBHP Registry, as a civilian provider in military culture and evidence-based treatments, and is ready and available to assist in your declaration of “Mission Accomplished”.
If you can benefit from tactical support, to reinforce that strength to change your life, to change your future, Dr. Devers stands ready and able to respond when you call 215/677-3810.
“What has been seen cannot be unseen, what has been learned cannot be unknown.
You cannot change the past, but you can learn from it. You can grow from it.
You can be made stronger. You can use that strength to change your life, to change your future.” C.A. Woolf
