Operation Pathfinder

This Episode is dedicated to Capt. Joseph Spencer, US Army, Vietnam Veteran   Operation: Pathfinder, Navigating PTSD episode # 012 Season #1 Wrap Up In this briefing, we will review each episode in season #1 and discuss what to expect in Season #2, premier May 17th 2019

This Episode is dedicated to US Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger Operation: Pathfinder, Navigating PTSD episode # 11 “Because I have PTSD” In this intel briefing, I will discuss the nagging voice that is played over and over again by PTSD

This Episode is dedicated to US Army Veterans - Ernesto Burrell, Jedediah Zillmer, Chris Thorp and US Marine Corp Veteran Drew Kostic. Operation: Pathfinder, Navigating PTSD episode # 10 - A Veteran and his Service Dog  In this intel briefing, I sat down with Luke Clark a US Army Veteran and a County Veteran Service Officer, to discuss his experience with “Bailee” his Service Dog [00:00:34] -Mission Statement [00:01:04] Guest Introduction [00:01:15] Guest Background [00:01:27] Military Experience [00:02:10] Losing Brothers to PTSD [00:02:50] Understanding the experiences [00:03:21] Getting over Victimhood [00:04:00] Straightening Out my Life [00:04:37] Going Back to School [00:05:48] Bailee [00:07:10] New Purpose [00:12:25] Learning the Transition [00:14:52] Making Better Choices [00:21:01] Developing Your Mission [00:25:00] Reaching Out After a Loss [00:28:35] Service Dog Stereo-Types [00:39:09] Passion [00:41:44] Grand Traverse County VA [00:42:27] Honoring a Veteran or 4 [00:43:01] Outro [00:43:26] Disclaimer

This episode is dedicated to Frank Williams, U.S. Air Force veteran. Operation Pathfinder navigating PTSD episode #09. We are ready (WAR) In this Intel Briefing, we'll dive deeper into additional resources for veterans first responders and many other trauma survivors to keep us so the high level of readiness. Code Green for Responders Fire/EMS Helpline (888) 731-FIRE (3473) Police, Law Enforcement Helpline (800) 267-5463 1st Responders and their families (206) 459-3020 Sexual Trauma Survivors Helpline (800) 950-NAMI (6264)  

This Episode is Dedicated to Donald Hoback Operation: Pathfinder, Navigating PTSD episode # 008 A conversation with a County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) You'll hear from the director of the Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs office in Traverse City Michigan as he discussed the many available resources you have at your disposal right now. [00:00:35] – Mission Statement [00:01:03] – Guest Introduction [00:01:18] – Guest [00:02:13] – Description of a CVSO’s responsibilities! [00:02:49] – Certificate of Eligibility [00:03:30] – Peer-To-Peer Support Group [00:04:21] – Compensation & Pension Claim [00:06:11] – Medical Records [00:07:46] – Nexus Statement [00:08:52] – Debunking Misinformation [00:10:12] – PTSD and your Gun Rights [00:12:16] – Income limitations for Compensation & Pension [00:12:49] – Mental obstacles for Veterans [00:14:41] – Grand Traverse County Location – Click Here for more information on CVSO in Grand Traverse County, Michigan Grand Traverse, Veteran Affairs Office 2650 LaFranier Road Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone: 231-995-6070 Fax: 231-929-1983 TDD: 231-922-4412 Hours Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. [00:14:58] – Contact info for other CVSO – Click on Link for more information on CVSOs in your area [00:16:03] – Closing [00:16:24] – Honoring a Veteran [00:16:42] – Next Week's Briefing [00:16:55] – Subscribe to this FREE Podcast [00:17:21] – Disclaimer Operation: Pathfinder Podcast is based on my views and experience with PTSD but will be as evidence based as possible. I welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.  I take no money from drug, device or medical companies.  Always consult your own physician or therapist for any medical or mental health issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast.  Under no circumstances shall Operation: Pathfinder, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Operation: Pathfinder be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.  

This episode is dedicated to US Navy veteran William J. Spencer. Operation Pathfinder navigating PTSD. Episode #7. Building your team. And in this Intel briefing I will be discussing the important members of your team and how each member's role is necessary for a successful campaign. [00:00:28] – Mission Statement [00:00:58] – The Team [00:01:14] – Medics [00:03:44] – Intelligence Officer [00:04:21] – Episode #6 & Research Reference [00:04:28] – Intelligence Officer (Continued) [00:05:09] – Counter-Intelligence Officer  [00:06:25] – Translators [00:08:04] – Supply & Logistics [00:08:43] – Show Notes Research [00:09:24] – Build Trust with Your Team [00:09:45] – Honoring a Veteran [00:09:58] – Next Week's Episode [00:10:11] – Check us out! [00:10:38] – Disclaimer

  This Podcast is Dedicated to Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart of Bay City, MI [00:00:08] – Introduction [00:00:23] – Host [00:00:27] – Mission Statement [00:01:02] – The PTSD Tool Box [00:01:29] – Week #1 - Understanding the enemy [00:02:11] – Week #2 - Understanding the tools [00:02:45] – Week #3 - Understanding the importance of sleep [00:03:49] – Week #4 - Understanding the moods [00:04:32] – Week #5 - Understanding the anger [00:05:41] – Week #6 - Understanding the grief & guilt [00:06:46] – Taking away PTSD's advantages [00:07:22] – Do not allow others to control your mind [00:08:05] – Honoring a Veteran [00:08:28] – Build our army of warriors [00:09:21] – Next week's episode; A Spouse’s Perspective [00:09:35] – Disclaimer

This episode is dedicated to Army Master Sergeant Peter McKenna, Jr. from Bristol, RI Transitioning from the military with guest Brad Stinson of the Team Brad Stinson Podcast.    [00:00:23] – Host [00:00:27] – Mission Statement [00:00:59] – Introduction [00:04:14] – Leaving My Unit [00:05:56] – The Tribe [00:06:48] – Discovering [00:08:24] – Losing a Marine! [00:12:14] – The Professional Transition Brad Stinson, USMC Veteran VA Home Loan Specialist Benchmark Mortgage (616) 916-9295 [00:14:42] – Building a family [00:16:35] – The Struggle [00:23:41] – What's Next? [00:24:30] – First Step

This episode is dedicated U.S. Marine Corps and CIA agent Michael Spann Operation Pathfinder Navigating PTSD Episode #4 - PTSD's army structure. In this episode you'll receive additional intel on PTSD squadrons and task units used to brutally attack you on a daily basis. [00:00:07] Introduction [00:00:28] Host [00:00:33] Mission Statement [00:01:09] Task Units and Squadrons [00:01:51] Task Unit 1 [00:02:02] Task Unit 2 [00:02:24] Task Unit 3 [00:02:50] Task Unit 4 [00:03:28] Task Unit 5 [00:04:03] Task Unit Summary [00:04:53] Five Squadrons [00:05:18] Alpha Squadron [00:05:51] Bravo Squadron [00:06:16] Charlie Squadron [00:06:53] Delta Squadron [00:07:24] Echo Squadron [00:08:38] Squadron Summary [00:09:08] Honoring a Veteran [00:09:45] Conclusion Disclaimer Operation Pathfinder is based on my views and experience with PTSD but we'll be evidence based as possible. I welcome any comments suggestions or corrections of errors. Take no money from drug device or medical companies. Always consult your own physician or therapies for any medical or mental health issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guest or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall operation Pathfinder any guest or contributors to the podcast or any employees associates or affiliates of Operation Pathfinder irresponsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.  

This episode is dedicated to US Marine Corps Force Recon Chief Warrant Officer Solomon Godwin. 003 - Diagnosing PTSD [00:00:15] Introduction [00:00:29] Host [00:00:33] Mission Statement [00:01:04] Weapons and Tactics [00:01:30] You Medic [00:02:31] DSM-5 [00:03:26] Criterion A [00:04:04] Criterion B [00:04:31] Criterion C [00:04:50] Criterion D [00:05:33] Criterion E [00:06:05] Criterion F [00:06:13] Criterion G [00:06:28] Criterion H [00:07:42] Fundamental first step [00:09:39] Fog of War [00:10:12] Honoring a Veteran [00:11:09] In Closing [00:11:43] Disclaimer Show Notes [00:00:15] Operation Pathfinders episode number three, Diagnosing PTSD. In this Intel Report I will be discussing with you the criteria of PTSD and what you need to do right now to get squared away. [00:00:29] Hello everyone I'm your host Ben Williams veteran and advocate. [00:00:33] PTSD is the toughest enemy you'll ever face. This relentless adversary will destroy you from the inside out until it has taken you early in life. He is determined and relentless. But Operation Pathfinders mission is to be a part of the solution when it comes to helping you with PTSD. You will also hear from fellow veterans survivors professionals who have been there and understand. And each episode will provide you with Intel a purpose and of hope to keep you on the move. [00:01:04] Warriors understanding the various weapons and tactics used by PTSD is essential in developing a plan to push forward and winning these individual battles within he does not utilize just one weapon. He utilizes an arsenal of weapons and tactics to defeat you and to beat you down every single day. And knowing these tactics and weapons will provide you a better blueprint for a counterattack. [00:01:30] It is essential to coordinate with your physicians to determine these solution and the situation. Many of the physical symptoms are often confused with PTSD tactics. So determining the enemy you are dealing with is the fundamental key to success. Rushing into any fight without knowing your opponent is step one to failure. Your doctor will perform an evaluation by obtaining the necessary Intel your current situation is a key component for success. Most likely your doctor will conduct a physical to determine if there could be other elements attacking you other than PTSD. Once the physical elements have been evaluated and warrants no further research doing psychological evaluation would be the necessary next step. This process involves a discussion revolving around your signs and symptoms. [00:02:31] The enemy is very clear when formulating a strategy. It is important to know what exposures you've endured. Direct experience with traumatic events. Personally witnessing a traumatic event or contact or exposure of a traumatic event. Those are the key indicators that you may be dealing with PTSD. Your physician will use the criteria in the diagnostic says testicle Manual of Mental Disorders otherwise known as the DSM 5 published by the American Psychiatric Association. All of the conditions included in this classification require exposure to a traumatic event or a stressful event as a diagnostic criterion. These criteria must be met for a PTSD diagnosis. [00:03:26] Criterion A is a stressor and one of these a required. "The person who exposed who was exposed to death threatened death actual or threatened serious injury or actual or threatened sexual violence in the following ways either by direct exposure witnessing to trauma learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to trauma and indirect exposure to adverse details of the trauma" Usually in the course of professional duties such as their first responder or medics. [00:04:04] The next criteria, criterion B is intrusive symptoms and one or these is also required. The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following ways: 1) Unwanted upsetting memories; 2) Nightmares flashbacks emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders; 3) Physical reactivity after exposure to the traumatic reminders. [00:04:31] Criterion C is avoidance and also one of these is required. Avoidance of trauma related stimuli after the trauma, in the following ways: 1) Trauma related thoughts or feelings or 2) Trauma related external reminders. [00:04:50] Criterion D - Negative alteration in cognition and mood. Two of these are required. Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma. In the following ways: 1) Inability to recall key features of the trauma overly negative thoughts or 2) Assumptions about one's self or the world or 3) exaggerated blame of self and others for causing the trauma or 4) Negative effect decreased interest in activities feeling isolated and difficulty experiencing positive effect. [00:05:33] Criterion E is alteration in arousal and reactivity. Trauma related arousal and reactivity that began or worsen after the trauma, in the following ways: 1) Irritability or aggression; 2) Risky or destructive behavior; 3) Hypervigilance; 4) Heighten startled reaction 5) difficulty concentrating; 6) Difficulty sleeping. [00:06:05] Criterion F is duration and again this is required symptoms that last more than a month. [00:06:13] Criterion G is functional significance and this is also required. Symptoms create distress or functional impairment such as social interaction or occupational. [00:06:28] Criterion H is exclusion and this is also required. Symptoms are not due to medication substance use or other illnesses. Two specifications disassociated of specification. In addition to meeting criteria for diagnosis and individual's experiences high level of either the following in reaction to a trauma related stimuli; that is depersonalization - experience of being an outside observer of or detached from oneself - such as feelings of as if this is not happening to me or maybe a dream. Deep realization the experience of unreality distance or distortion. An example would be things are not real. Delays specification full diagnostic criteria are not met until at least six months after the trauma or traumas although onset of symptoms may occur immediately. [00:07:42] Now this is an internal report to let you know what the diagnosis requirements are for PTSD. As I stated before folks the first step is to contact your family physician or doctor. Whoever it is that you go see on a regular basis for your physicals and flus and coughs and everything else. Make an appointment see them first. Explain your concerns understand that they need to do these physicals first. This is the requirement a prerequisite. They do this first. Then if they ruled out that there's something else that could be the cause they will start with the psychological evaluations and then DSM 5. Trust your doctor. If you're not happy get a second and third fourth opinion whatever but start by getting in and seeing the doctor. And as the fundamental first step folks go go see a doctor please. My main purpose of this intel report is to get you to know the groundwork and what your next steps should be in identifying as well as understanding what you may be up against. I cannot emphasize this enough folks. You need to start building a team around you and develop a lasting trust. That is the ultimate key to a successful battle. Stay determined. Do not let anyone or anything try to bring you down. This is a fight for your life and I promise you your feelings of hopelessness fear and numbness. [00:09:39] That is the enemy talking to you. That is PTSD and he has no qualms beating you down. This is the fog of war. You need to get pissed off because every day he disrespects you. He brings you down he spits on you. Who the hell does he think he is. Fight for Your Life. Fight for your family. Fight for your friends. You need to have no regrets and get results to get after it. [00:10:12] Before I wrap up this episode I want to honor a veteran who wrote a blank check in defense of our great nation and paid the ultimate sacrifice. He was a U.S. Marine with force recon and he served during the Vietnam War and during the Tet Offensive. He was taken prisoner and lost his life due to elements that he that he received while being held captive as a prisoner of war. And after a long prison stint during a prison transfer he succumbed to those illnesses and died. His body is buried somewhere in Vietnam but his memory and spirit will live forever on the Vietnam War Memorial. He is family and he is chief warrant officer Solomon Godwin of Hot Springs Arkansas. [00:11:09] Please take a moment to subscribe to this free podcast. Check us out on iTunes, GooglePlay, RadioPublic, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tumblr, WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. No strings attached to help build our army of warriors and take back our lives from this deadly enemy known as PTSD. The more subscribers downloads reviews helped fuel our machine and be a beacon of hope for other warriors that are struggling in silence and is desperately seeking help or needing help in the next episode your intel report briefing will discuss the structure of PTSD army and their fighting styles. But until next time keep on the move. [00:11:43] Operation Pathfinders podcast is based on my views and experience with PTSD. But we'll be evidence based as possible. I welcome any comments suggestions or corrections of errors. I take no money from drug devices or medical companies always consult your own physician or therapist for any medical or mental health issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guest or contributors to the podcast. And under no circumstances shall operation Pathfinders yes or contributors to the podcast or any employees associates or affiliates of Operation Pathfinder be responsible for any damages arising from the use of this podcast.  

This episode is dedicated to Petty Officer Spencer Williams, Active Duty US Navy There is a sense of numbness and despair eating away at you right now. On the outside, you try to show everyone that you are ok. But deep down you really don’t care about them. You don’t really care if you go out with friends or being late for work. You try to care. You try to display some sense of care in your body - especially when it comes to your children and your spouse. But deep down, you have an issue with even caring for yourself. You may be afraid of your spouse leaving you. Or you could be afraid they might learn something about you - something so terrible - that you feel they will leave you or look at you differently. Or hell maybe your scared what others may think of you, if you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD! At times, waves of emotions will rush over you like a tidal wave, slapping you around, knocking you down and tearing you apart. Even if you could explain how you feel, there is absolutely no way anyone will truly understand you. You are exhausted from listening to others telling you what YOU should do. What you need to swallow, listen to, perform, etc. Your spouse is probably nagging you relentlessly almost on a daily basis. And just to shut them up - you decide to see a doctor or therapist. Well guess what? PTSD does not give up that easy! Let me tell you what may happen next…. You will muster up the strength and fight through the fear you have and go see a therapist or doctor. You will put forth a real good effort - an honest effort, you feel. But PTSD will throw at you some additional levels of fear and uncertainty. Because PTSD knows you. He’s very freaking clever. He knows you so much because he’s in your head. He knows your deepest and darkest secrets, lies, and shame. He plays you like a fiddle every single day. And he knows what your progress looks like. He knows he can scare you into giving up this fight. When he feels you are starting down a positive path of forming your SORT team - Medical and Mental Doctors, Therapist, Peers, and support groups - he will fight back each and every time. He will unleash one hound after another. He wants you so focused on treating the signs and symptoms. He will fight very hard to prevent you from focusing on the cause. The cause of your pain is the heart of PTSD’s mission. And to survive, he will protect his heart at all cost. Are you following me here? This slug, this slime ball has no remorse. It’s singular goal is to destroy you and take your live. That’s it’s mission. The amount of diagnosed people of PTSD is roughly the same population of Texas. Make no mistake, He is the most resourceful and proficient enemy out there. But I’m telling you, there is hope! Each and everyday, is a win. Each day when you place two feet on the ground after you wake THAT’s a victory. As my Uncle Frank will say, be thankful for each day - it is a precious gift. The days are sometimes long and grueling. But each one is a victory. Each one was a day you didn’t give up. And the minor skirmishes during the day were victories within itself. Your life is filled with hope! PTSD will not go away by doing nothing. There is not a perfect elixir to wipe out this parasite infecting your mind. The medications prescribed by doctors only treat the symptoms, not the cause. We must stop fooling ourselves or waiting on a quick fix or solution. Stop waiting for others to do “Their Jobs” and help us or look after us. Stop with this sense of entitlement that people owe us. No one owes you a damn thing. No one owes me squat! I am not waiting on someone to give me a magic pill or come up with a “fool proof” plan to make my life better. What I am doing and I challenge each of you is to start fighting for yourself. Respect yourself enough to know you deserve better. Forgive yourself for your past mistakes, your failures, the pain you have inflicted on others, the lies you have told, the misery you have left behind, and the fear of discovery. Do not let your shame or embarrassment dictate who you are today. Never allow anyone to control how you feel. Don’t let anyone “make you feel bad!” You are better than this, you are worth a heck of a lot more than what you have right now! You can and will do more more. You will fight and you will win!!!  

PTSD is a silent invader occupying your mind and thoughts. Overtime, this invader creeps in and affects your personality, emotions, desires, and ambitions. No one sees this invisible enemy while it wreaks havoc on a warrior’s mind! This pathetic enemy will take up camp in your mind and start to slowly strangle you into submission and may ultimately take your life!