{"id":25482,"date":"2013-09-17T00:40:38","date_gmt":"2013-09-17T03:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/?p=25482"},"modified":"2016-11-26T00:47:59","modified_gmt":"2016-11-26T03:47:59","slug":"chaplain-with-ptsd-serves-as-counselor-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/17\/chaplain-with-ptsd-serves-as-counselor-model\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaplain with PTSD Serves as Counselor, Model"},"content":{"rendered":"

US Army Chaplain (Maj) David Trogdon is serving his fourth combat tour — this time, officially diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.\u00a0 Now he helps minister to those<\/a> who may be struggling as well:<\/p>\n

He knows from experience the corrosive effect of repressing anger and anxiety. His return to war this year after three tours is motivated, in part, by a desire to show fellow troops that mental trauma can be tamed. \u00a0 \u201cSometimes I get asked, \u2018Does it bother you that people know you have PTSD?\u2019 And I say, \u2018No, I earned it,\u2019\u2009\u201d he said. \u201cIf I can help somebody else and help reduce the stigma, then it\u2019s worth me talking about it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He draws on his awareness of mental trauma when consoling soldiers distraught by a friend\u2019s death or injury, reassuring them that rage and despair are natural reactions to war\u2019s disorder. The conversations are confidential, a guarantee of privacy that allows for candor. He avoids pushing faith or psychology.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are chaplains in combat — and they truly serve wherever, and in whatever conditions, their troops do as well.<\/p>\n

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