Trauma and Stress in Afghanistan: Marines Cope with Battlefield Horrors

Strategic Insights -

Marines stationed in Sangin, a southern Afghan river valley, are dealing with the aftermath of brutal combat and the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when they return home. Since arriving in Sangin in October, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment has seen over 30 deaths and 175 wounded, with many losing limbs due to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Despite the trauma, Marines are finding ways to cope by blocking out the horrors of war, but this behavior may trigger PTSD when they go home.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment has seen over 30 deaths and 175 wounded in Sangin since October 2023.
  • An average of 15 to 20 percent of troops who have traumatic experiences during combat suffer from PTSD when they return home.
  • Psychiatrists are treating PTSD by having troops repeatedly tell the story that haunts them, forcing them to face their emotions and pushing them to see that often there was nothing they could have done to save their buddy.
  • Marines are coping with trauma by blocking out the horrors of war, but this behavior may trigger PTSD when they go home.
  • Sgt. Adam Keliipaakaua, a 26-year-old Marine from Newport News, is on his fourth combat deployment and has lost a Marine in his arms, suffering from nightmares himself.
  • CMDR. Charlie Benson, a Navy psychiatrist, has not seen an abnormally high rate of mental health issues in the battalion, but believes it's too early to tell who will have problems when they go home.
  • Marines are being trained to recognize when troops are having trouble coping with combat stress, and medical corpsmen, chaplains, and Marines are being trained to provide support.
  • Sgt. Matt Lewoczko, a Marine in Sangin on his fourth combat deployment, believes that everyone deals with the horrors of war differently when returning home, and some may never recover.

Statistics:

  • At least 288 NATO service members were killed in Helmand province in 2010.
  • Last year was the deadliest of the nine-year Afghan war for the international forces, with 701 killed.
  • An average of 15 to 20 percent of troops who have traumatic experiences during combat suffer from PTSD when they return home.
  • The Marines have seen more than 30 deaths and 175 wounded since arriving in Sangin in October.
  • The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is fighting to regain Sangin district of Helmand province, a major narcotics hub that funds the insurgents.

Sources:

  • Sebastian Abbot, The Associated Press
  • Cmdr. Charlie Benson, Navy psychiatrist
  • Sgt. Adam Keliipaakaua, Marine
  • Sgt. Matt Lewoczko, Marine
  • Lance Cpl. Derek Goins, Marine
  • Lance Cpl. James Fischer, Marine
  • Staff Sgt. Nathan Stocking, Marine
  • Staff Sgt. Todd Voeller, Marine