Dedicated Heroes
Combat Stress Magazine: Winter 2020/21
Volume 9, Number 4
Editor’s Message
By Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
A Tribute to the Best of the Best – Dr. Dan Kirsch
By Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
The End of the War in Vietnam August 15, 1973
By LTC (RET) John E. Norvell
Christmas in War Time
By LTC (RET) John E. Norvell
PTSD and the Neurology of Learning How Stress Robs Us of Understanding
By Jeff Jernigan, PhD, BCPPC, FAIS
Soldier for Life: One Veteran’s Perspective and Beliefs in Why Service to the Nation is Important
By COL (RET) DJ Reyes, US Army
Yellow Journalism’s Struggle
By LTC (RET) Charlie Bass, MD, PhD, FAIS
The Crying Woman with The Blind Mother – An Iraq Story How a Small Act of Compassion Restored My Humanity
By Tom McMurtry, DAIS, Police Officer (RET), CPT, US Army, Special Forces (RET)
Stress and the Need for Control
By Robert Kallus, MS
Silencing the Stigma
By COL (RET) Ed Rothstein
How the Best Handle Stress – A First Aid Kit – Scoring Best on All Life’s Tests by Using Your “Whole Brain”
By Ron Rubenzer, EdD, MA, MPH, MSE, FAIS
Editor In Chief
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM, FAIS
AIS President
Editor
Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
COL (RET), US Army
Contributing Editors
Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
LTC (RET) John E. Norvell
Jeff Jernigan, PhD, BCPPC, FAIS
COL (RET) DJ Reyes, US Army
LTC (RET) Charlie Bass, MD, PhD, FAIS
Tom McMurtry, DAIS, Police Officer (RET), CPT, US Army, Special Forces (RET)
Robert Kallus, MS
COL (RET) Ed Rothstein
Ron Rubenzer, EdD, MA, MPH, MSE, FAIS
Managing Editor
Kathy Schoop
Creative Director
Michael McMahon
AIS Combat Stress Board
Chaired by Colonel Platoni, the role of this board is to develop initiatives and communications to serve the stress management needs of Service Members and Veterans.
Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
Clinical Psychologist
COL (RET), US Army, COL/Ohio Military Reserve
4th Civil Support and Sustainment Brigade
Stephen Barchet, MD, FACOG, CPE, FACP, FAIS
Rear Admiral/MC/US Navy Retired
Christiane C. O’Hara, PhD, FAIS
David Fair, PhD, D Min. CMC, FAIS
Certified Master Chaplain, President
ChaplainUSA, Senior Chaplain, Brown County Texas, Office of Emergency Management
Melanie Berry, MS, BCB, OMC, FAIS
Tom McMurtry, DAIS, Police Officer (RET)
CPT, US Army, Special Forces (RET)
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM, FAIS
Combat Stress Magazine
Combat Stress magazine is written with our military Service Members, Veterans, first responders, and their families in mind. We want all of our members and guests to find contentment in their lives by learning about stress management and finding what works best for each of them. Stress is unavoidable and comes in many shapes and sizes. It can even be considered a part of who we are. Being in a state of peaceful happiness may seem like a lofty goal but harnessing your stress in a positive way makes it obtainable. Serving in the military or being a police officer, firefighter or paramedic brings unique challenges and some extraordinarily bad days. The American Institute of Stress is dedicated to helping you, our Heroes and their families, cope with and heal your mind and body from the stress associated with your careers and sacrifices.
Combat Stress magazine is indexed by EBSCO and archived online at stress.org. Information in this publication is carefully compiled to ensure accuracy.