Battling the Storm Within Blog

As the Author of the #1 Amazon National-International Best Seller War Memoir “Battling the Storm Within” about living 20 years undiagnosed with PTSD, MST and the GWI. My mission is to empower others to address their own personal traumas, be healed, restored and live again. I believe in telling the truth, living the truth and being the truth. I will share the truth for it sets you free. I have battled my storm that was within me and won, so can you! Peace and blessings Sgt. Stephanie J. Shannon

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Women veterans talk about assault, bias and identity crisis

JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Shawn Terris of Ventura speaks to U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley in a roundtable event for women veterans in Camarillo. Terris served in the Marine Corps.

They feel invisible.
Eight women veterans talked about glass ceilings, sexual assault in the military, sexism and other inequities in a Camarillo roundtable Thursday.

They talked most of all about a society that doesn't always seem to get that an estimated 2 million women served the country, many in combat.

VA gets 'F' for Persian Gulf War claims approvals

Applying for a Discharge Upgrade

For veterans who have served in uniform and received a less than honorable discharge, the impact on their post-service lives can be dramatic. While the process is not simple and the results not guaranteed, there is a way to appeal the discharge classification.

All veterans are eligible to apply to the Discharge Review Board for an upgrade of their discharge characterization or a change of the reason given for their discharge. To receive a discharge upgrade or a change in the discharge reason, an individual must prove to the appropriate Discharge Review Board that his or her discharge reason or characterization was “inequitable” or “improper.”

Inequitable means the reason or characterization of the discharge is not consistent with the policies and traditions of the service.
Improper means that the reason or characterization of the discharge is in error (i.e., is false, or violates a regulation or law).

Read more...
http://www.realwarriors.net/veterans/discharge/upgrade.php

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

House backs military burial honor for women pilots

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives voted unanimously on Tuesday to allow women pilots from World War Two to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, the vast military cemetery just outside Washington.

The vote was 385-0.

If passed by the Senate and signed into the law, the measure would allow the cremated remains of about 1,000 women who served as Women's Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, during World War Two, to be buried there.

Dozens of original 'Rosie the Riveters' from Detroit honored - VIDEO

The trip is part of a celebration of Women's History Month.

The Riveters are credited for being the women who helped make the supplies used to bring victory to allied forces fighting World War II -- and they did it right here in Detroit. These women left their traditional roles as homemakers to build planes, tanks and other necessities for the war effort.

Read more...
http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/111626300-story

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Female Veterans Speak on Women's Issues- VIDEO

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- As March comes to an end, so does Women's History Month.
And just before Easter weekend, students at Schenectady County Community College took in some inspiration from five female service veterans, like Tabitha Dart, Army veteran and student of the college.

"I was able to take away discipline and take away a life experience that you can't get in the regular world," said Dart.

Great Opportunity for Youth in Michigan -

The Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy offers young people between the ages of 16 through 18 the opportunity to change their lives and make a future for them-selves. The Academy is a 17.5 month, two phase program. The program incorporates eight core components that encourage physical, mental and moral development.

The first two-weeks of the 22-week Residential Phase is part of the ongoing selection process to determine who is prepared for the sacrifices necessary to go the distance.

The Post-Residential phase is conducted within the cadet’s community upon graduation from the Residential Phase. During this part of the program, the youth will be expected to be employed, furthering their education, meeting with a mentor once a week for twelve months, and working their Post-Residential-Action-Plan.

Youth are supervised at all times and remain at the facility unless they are participating in an approved off-site activity. Youth will march in formation to and from activities, and join in daily physical fitness and Life-skill programs.

Meals, housing and uniforms are all provided and there are no costs to the cadet or their families for participation in the program. The Academy is paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense and the State of Michigan. Although the program is administered by the Michigan National Guard, there is NO military obligation for participation.

There are only a few times in your life when you get a second chance. The Academy will provide one of them. It is a fact that workers with less than a high school education end up with fewer career opportunities, lower paying jobs, and a bleak future “That doesn’t have to be your future.”

Read more...
http://miycp.org/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

About Face: The U.S. Military Seeks Historic Overhaul of the Justice System

(Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

After years of concern over sexual assault in the military, the Department of Defense has proposed the most far-reaching reforms to its justice system in decades.

The proposal, introduced with little notice in late December, would fundamentally change the way America's men and women experience justice while in uniform.

"It's a potential sea change," said Charles Erdmann, the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the military's highest court. "These would be the biggest reforms in 30 years."

Military bringing more charges against ofﬁcers for sexual assault

Photographer: Denise Lu/The Washington Post

Although the numbers have risen in recent years, military officers are rarely punished for sexual assault in comparison to enlisted personnel.

The U.S. military has stepped up investigations of high-ranking officers for sexual assault, records show, curtailing its traditional deference toward senior leaders as it cracks down on sex crimes.
Since September, the armed forces have court-martialed or filed sexual-assault charges against four colonels from the Air Force, Army and Marines. In addition, a Navy captain was found guilty of abusive sexual contact during an administrative hearing.

Learn more...
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2016/mar/20/military-bringing-more-charges-against-cers-sexual/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Veteran sets himself on fire outside VA clinic, media stays silent

The area where Charles R. Ingram III set himself on fire outside a New Jersey VA clinic. Photo credit: Facebook

A veteran has died after a brutally painful and violent suicide outside of a Veteran Affairs clinic in New Jersey.
On March 19^th, Charles R. Ingram III, 51, was airlifted to the Temple Burn Center in Philadelphia after setting himself on fire outside a Northfield, New Jersey VA clinic, according to Press of Atlantic City.
The incident has received very little attention with the media and was not even covered by the local television news.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

The Cause Of Depression May Be The Result Of You Being Too Nice, And It Makes A Lot Of Sense

There is such a thing as being too nice, too giving and too caring. To overcome depression you must stop the habit of bending over to gain people’s approval. I know, it’s easier said than done. But no one said it’d be easy.

Those who are affected by depression tend to be people-pleasers. And yet, ironically, quite often their actions are viewed by others as selfish and self-centered. For over three decades I believed in that crap myself. I believed I was selfish and self-involved. I was convinced I had nothing to offer. I also thought that it didn’t matter what I thought. That my opinion was less important than anyone else’s. It seemed as if I was always living someone else’s life.

Finally, after two major brain seizures caused by a suicide attempt, I stopped living someone else’s life and looked deep within…

HOW CAFFEINE AFFECTS STRESS ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

What Science Has to Say About the Link Between Caffeine and Anxiety:

Anxious? Drink coffee? The doctors have spoken — it may be time to ditch the coffee habit. We interviewed a range of specialists, from psychotherapists to cardiologists, and the results were clear as ever: caffeine can be a major factor when it comes to stress.
“Caffeine overload mimics anxiety. If you’re anxious, it will worsen your symptoms,” said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center and the medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center For Women’s Health.
Thinking about getting a second opinion on that? Don’t worry, we got four.

Read more..
http://healthytreatment.info/how-caffeine-affects-stress-anxiety-and-depression/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

First lady asks women veterans to share their stories

Leo Shane III, Military Times 5:43 p.m. EST March 2, 2016

First lady Michelle Obama wants women veterans to talk about themselves more.
“(Your stories) are so worth telling, and our girls, our granddaughters need to hear them,” she told a packed Statuary Hall during a Women’s History Month event at the Capitol on Wednesday. “If you are a woman veteran, if you have worn the uniform and served bravely, I want to ask you to stand tall.”

How To Explain PTSD To Someone Who Doesn’t Get It – But Really Wants To

Several years ago I wrote a post called, 10 Tips for Understanding Someone With PTSD. The idea for the piece came from what I wish my family had known when I was struggling with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then I’ve received so many emails from survivors asking how to explain to friends and family what they need to know in order to participate in the life of a PTSD survivor. I’ve also received so many emails from caregivers asking for advice about how to support a loved one. The emails always start with, “I’m not suffering from PTSD but my [boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband] is and I don’t know how to handle this.”

heal ptsd

Read more...
http://healmyptsd.com/2014/02/ptsd-caregiver-tips.html

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

SAVE THE DATE!!! For the first 2016 Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment Conference

SAVE THE DATE!!! For the first 2016 Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment Conference in Detroit MI on Saturday November 19, 2016 " The Voice of the women Veterans" Prisms, Pathways, Platforms and Potentials Please share...

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-michigan-women-veterans-empowerment-conference-tickets-22188939716

Learn more... www.empowermiwomenvets.com

Saginaw VA Hospital Celebrates Women History Month - Sgt. Shannon speaker

Sgt. Stephanie J. Shannon will be the guest speaker for the Saginaw VA Hospital Women History Month celebration on Thursday March 17, 2016 11:30 to 12:30pm.

Learn more... www.battlingthestormwithin.com

www.empowermiwomenvets.com

ATTENTION!!! All USA women veterans share your story your truth "Our Voices United" Anthology Book Project

ATTENTION!!! All USA women veterans of all branches, here's your opportunity to have your voices heard and published for the world to read as you tell your story, your truth! Enter the "Our Voices United" Anthology Book Project DEADLINE August 1, 2016 Please SHARE and see flyer for details...

Learn more.... www.empowermiwomenvets.com

Most Important Reasons to Not Ignore PTSD

Brain Changes from PTSD can be Permanent…But they don’t have to be!

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people around the world. In fact, it is estimated that each year 1 out of 30 U.S. adults suffers with PTSD as a result of emotional trauma.

This very real and potentially debilitating disorder develops after a traumatic event, such as military combat, rape or assault, or exposure to violence, and is characterized by:

California Women Veteran Unconference event on April 15 -17th 2016

Sgt Stephanie Shannon will be the KeyNote speaker for the California Women Veteran Unconference event on April 15 -17th in Sacremento CA.Please share this conference information

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http://www.womenveteransalliance.org/unconference-flyer

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Why are the younger Veterans avoiding the Veteran Service Organizations?

Why are the younger Veterans avoiding the Veteran Service Organizations?
Before I researched why the post-Vietnam generation of Veterans were not joining Veteran Service Organizations (VSO), I asked myself, “Why wouldn’t veterans want to be around other veterans?” Truly, participating in a VSO provides a unique opportunity to serve our community with people from all walks of life, and also offers the opportunity to share the bond and comradery that melds us together as proud United States Veterans.

Read more...
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-younger-veterans-avoiding-veteran-service-les-davis-ma

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Getting better is scary’: Women veterans with PTSD

For Erica Slone, the choice boiled down to a simple equation: Die. Or go to Fort Thomas.
In early July, she pulled into the parking lot of the Cincinnati VA’s Trauma Recovery Center in Fort Thomas. She stood outside studying the formidable brick building. She had a lot riding on this place.
Slone had arrived after years of suffering. In 2003, barely a year into her Air Force enlistment, another airman raped her. She told no one. She pushed on through her 6-year hitch, earning a rack of medals and serving in Iraq. When she got out of the service, she earned an art degree.

Read more...http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/08/27/getting-better-scary-women-veterans-ptsd/32119625/

Learn more... www.battlingthestormwithin.com