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IVAW Fights For Soldiers Right To Heal From TraumaBy Maggie MartinIn January of 2010 we came together in Albuquerque, NM for a strategy planning session to build our campaign Operation Recovery: a campaign to stop the deployment of traumatized soldiers.
We have learned from our past that it takes more than getting people to show up for events or pulling off a really great action to affect change. We knew that we had to start thinking strategically. IVAW has been using its resources to build strength within our ranks. The field organizing team (sponsored by VVAW) has put much effort into leadership development including helping our membership develop the skills necessary to fight and win. Many of our brothers and sisters are sent into war despite suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Many of us within IVAW have faced or are currently facing, deployment despite severe trauma. IVAW is determined to find out who is responsible for this and to hold them accountable. We know that the Military has been ignoring and covering this issue up. They use programs like the Wounded Warrior Project to get positive press while still deploying thousands of traumatized soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan. These troops are not disposable and we are going to ensure that the Military can no longer continue these occupations depending on a force of injured troops who are being denied their right to heal. IVAW is creating space for injured troops to say enough, I won't deploy again. On October 7th, the 9th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan, IVAW publicly announced this important campaign. We have worked to identify the responsible parties, where our power lies and how we can put an end to this inhumane practice once and for all. Now, we are well prepared and ready to take action. We will stand behind our brothers and sisters as they say no to the violation of their rights.
Service members have the right to heal. Because the military is desperate for warm bodies in the field, and the VA doesn't have enough resources to serve all those in need, too often, service members are conveniently denied care or access to quality mental health screenings. We say, service members with PTSD, TBI, MST and combat stress have the right to high quality health care. They have the right to seek care and pursue treatments in the best interest of their health and well-being. Service members have the right to receive medical care from medical professionals. Often, a commander's "medical" opinion supersedes that of military medical professionals when it comes to the well-being of our troops. No military authority should override the advice of medical professionals regarding the health care of service members. Service members who experience PTSD, TBI, MST and combat stress have the right to exit the traumatic situation. Too often, service members are forced to redeploy back into dangerous combat or train in situations that re-traumatize them. Individuals suffering from trauma have a right to remove themselves from the source of the trauma. Service members who are not physically or mentally healthy should not be forced to deploy or continue service. We know that without the repeated use of traumatized soldiers on the battlefield the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan could not continue. Those responsible for the deployment of traumatized soldiers will do everything they can to hide the truth but we are prepared to make demands and back them up with collective action. Maggie Martin is a volunteer organizer for IVAW and Warrior Writers. She is a team leader for the campaign Operation Recovery. Former president of IVAW Savannah, GA chapter Maggie is currently organizing to start a Michigan IVAW chapter. Maggie is working towards a Master's Degree in Social Justice at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI.
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