Help for post-deployment stress

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Billy Davis Jr.
  • 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron
HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. --  How well do you know your Airmen? Are they acting differently since returning from being deployed? If so, maybe they are experiencing some level of post-deployment stress.

This stress manifests itself in many different ways and can be very mild to very intense in its impact on an Airman. Every Airman handles this stress differently. Most will not want to go into detail or talk about their experiences, so it's up to the people around them (not just their supervisor) to be on the lookout for differences in the person's mood, attitude and behavior.

One thing to watch for and be aware of is the Startle Response. With the increase in sonic booms planned to take place around Holloman Air Force Base, you may start to see strange responses from some of your Airmen. Some will have a more pronounced response than others, ranging from a slight cringe to diving for cover. The more extreme response may cause an Airman to have a panic attack or have increased anxiety for the remainder of the day.

Case in point: recently I was sitting at my desk typing away at something, in my zone, totally focused on what I was doing when it happened, K-BOOM! I reflective and instantly slid out of my chair and was on the floor before I realized what had happened. I got up off the floor (a little embarrassed), pulled myself together and tried to get back to what I was doing, but the remainder of my day was ruined. I couldn't stay focused and jumped at every little bang and bump I heard.

My response was a little on the extreme side, but a good example of what I'm writing about. If you know someone like this or someone that has recently (up to a year) returned from a dangerous and/or high stress deployment, help is available.

There are many organizations capable of helping, one being the Post Deployment Group. It meets at the Airman and Family Readiness Center on Mondays at 9 am and Tuesdays at 3 pm and normally lasts about an hour. It is facilitated by Airmen that have been through similar experiences and understand the feelings someone maybe having. Just being able to talk with others that have "been there and done that" can be very helpful. It's good to know you're not the only one; there are others that are going through the same thing. There is no sign-in required and except for normal greetings, no names are asked, everything is voluntary. You don't even have to let us know you're coming, just show up. I look forward to seeing you there!