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

Saturday, July 16, 2016

This Is Your Brain On War

“Is the fear that you feel in the Super Bowl the same fear you feel in combat? The answer, it turns out, is yes,” says Grossman.

In 2012, legendary BASE jumper Felix Baumgartner jumped from a helium balloon 24 miles above the Earth to set the record for highest ever free-fall. Red Bull, the sponsor, had poured more than $65 million into the project and employed some of the world’s most eminent scientists and engineers to see it through, but the mission was nearly a complete failure — not because of any technical issues, but because in the months leading up to the jump, Baumgartner had developed a crippling fear of his space suit.

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http://taskandpurpose.com/this-is-your-brain-on-war/

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Almost half of female veterans have insomnia symptoms

A new study sheds light on the prevalence of insomnia symptoms among female veterans.
Results demonstrate that more than 47 percent of female veterans reported symptoms of insomnia that resulted in functional impairment. Of this sample group, less than one percent had a diagnosis of a sleep disorder based on medical records.

Female veterans struggle for visibility

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http://www.salon.com/2016/06/17/reminder_women_are_veterans_too/

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Sexual Assault in the Military: 50 Facts You Should Know

This week, the United States Senate will be debating the Military Justice Improvement Act. The controversial legislation would alter the military legal process as it stands. Rather than the "chain of command" handling prosecution, cases will be dealt with by an "impartial military prosecutor."

Army investigating death of Fort Bragg soldier

5 Ways To Overcome Anxiety And Move Forward

Anxiety is the unwelcomed visitor many of us can do without. While nearly 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders, only about one-third seek help. This doesn't have to be you. If you are struggling with anxiety, put these methods to work today and regain control of you well-being.

New VA study finds 20 veterans commit suicide each day

Roughly 20 veterans a day commit suicide nationwide, according to new data from the Department of Veterans Affairs — a figure that dispels the often quoted, but problematic, “22 a day” estimate yet solidifies the disturbing mental health crisis the number implied.

7 Little Ways To Support Sexual Assault Survivors

What does supporting a survivor of sexual assault really mean? Is it sufficient to say the right things when asked, or retweet stories like the Stanford rape survivor's letter, or get involved in conversations about rape culture at parties? And how do you expand your support from the specific friends and family members who may have suffered to your cultural approach and life in general? The good news is: you can do very little things that mean a lot. And your informed, ready voice can really change the conversation for the better.

The STAGGERING Truth About Female Veteran Suicide

Jamie Brunette was the very definition of “success”. She was forward-thinking and had a solid family support structure, close friends and 11 highly productive years in the U.S. Air Force. This beautiful young woman was planning for the future. She had recently purchased an Orangetheory Fitness franchise to satisfy her passion for both fitness and business. After all, why not get paid doing something you love?

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http://inmilitary.com/staggering-truth-female-veteran-suicide/

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Veterans lead fight against sexual assault in the military

Soldiers, officers and civilian employees attend the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Army's annual observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in the Pentagon Center Courtyard March 31, 2015 in Arlington, Virginia. In conjunction with the national campaign against sexual assault, The Army announced this year's theme, 'Not in My Squad. Not in Our Army. We are Trusted Professionals,' during the ceremony.Ê According to the Pentagon, the initative 'is a grassroots approach meant to reinforce a climate of dignity and respect founded on good order and discipline.'

By the Pentagon’s own estimate, some 20,300 sexual assaults involving the U.S. military took place in the last fiscal year. About one quarter, or 6,083, of those were reported; 543 cases came to court martial by the year’s end; in 413 of those cases, the accused was found guilty; and 331 of them were imprisoned. Do the math and you’ll find that about one in 60 of the estimated sexual attacks in the military last year resulted in jail time.

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http://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/veterans-military-sexual-assault-rape/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Laws encourage alternatives to prison for veterans with PTSD

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A former Army sergeant's defenders say he truly believed he was protecting fellow soldiers from a Taliban bomber when he emptied 24 rounds at police and firefighters responding to a fire in his apartment.
Psychologists testified that Joshua Eisenhauer returned from Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress that made him a paranoid, hyper-vigilant insomniac, and so delusional that he drew his 9 mm handgun whenever anyone came to his door in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The Conversation About War and Our Veterans We Refuse to Have

I went to the market
Where all the families shop
I pulled out my Ka-bar
And started to chop
Your left right left right left right kill
Your left right left right you know I will
-Military cadence

“You can shoot her…” the First Sergeant tells me. “Technically.”

We’re standing on a rooftop watching black smoke pillars rise from a section of the city where two of my teammates are taking machine gun fire. Below, the small cluster of homes we’ve taken over is taking sporadic fire as well. He hands me his rifle with a high powered scope and says, “See for yourself.”

Gulf War Syndrome & Presumptive Service-Connection: What Every Veteran Should Know

January 22, 2015/in Featured, Gulf War Syndrome, Veterans /by Leslie Gaines, Attorney

Most people have heard of Gulf War Syndrome, especially those familiar with military or veteran populations. Previous blogs on our website have discussed “Gulf War Syndrome” and some of the nuances associated with obtaining service-connection for conditions that may fall under the Gulf War Syndrome umbrella. However, after recently working on a case involving a Persian Gulf War veteran, I felt it was important for me to blog about some important points that I recently “rediscovered” when working on my case.

Air Force colonel charged with rape, assault, adultery

The former vice commander of the 50th Space Wing has been charged with rape, adultery, assault, among other lewd acts which include taking photos of his genitals while in uniform.

Battling the Storm Within

Saturday, July 16, 2016

I went to the marketWhere all the families shopI pulled out my Ka-barAnd started to chopYour left right left right left right killYour left right left right you know I will-Military cadence

I went to the market
Where all the families shop
I pulled out my Ka-bar
And started to chop
Your left right left right left right kill
Your left right left right you know I will
-Military cadence