Injury-Shortened Service Makes Transition Harder for Veteran
2 minute read
Injury-Shortened Service Makes Transition Harder for Veteran
2 minute read
Courtney’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps didn’t work out as she envisioned. Repeated injuries compelled her to leave with a medical discharge after 5 years of service. Reentering life as a civilian, she felt lost, anxious, and stressed.
At first, she did not find healthy ways to cope with these feelings and her transition to civilian life. “I was losing friends. I was partying all the time. Pretty much doing anything to avoid my feelings,” Courtney says.
Acknowledging her need for help became the first step in turning her life in a better direction. The second step was getting that help through therapy, which gave Courtney tools to manage her feelings. Reconnecting with her passion for outdoor activities also helped Courtney find and stay on a better path.
“I’m so proud that I put myself back together and understand what I needed to work on to heal myself to live a better life,” the Veteran says.
Injuries contribute to a rough transition to civilian life
When Courtney graduated from high school, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. Talking to a Marine Corps recruiter and joining the service gave her direction. Unfortunately, injuries, which required 4 hip surgeries during her years of service, derailed her progress.
“That really took a toll on me mentally, because I was an injured female in the Marine Corps. That’s something that’s just very frowned upon,” she says.
Having to cut her military career short made it harder.
“It felt like I was not finishing the mission,” she says. “I didn’t know who I was. I lost a lot of my identity.”
Therapy and nature provide relief from anxiety and PTSD
When Courtney turned to therapy, she discovered that anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were also contributing to her challenges. Treatments gave her tools she could use to calm down and feel safe. Ongoing one-on-one therapy has given her a valuable, added source of support and advice beyond her friends and family.
“Those types of things have really centered me and put me in a better place mentally,” she says.
So, too, has reconnecting with nature, says Courtney, who grew up hunting, camping, and fishing.
“I believe having outdoor hobbies really helps with my mental recovery,” she says. “I really love nature and spending time with my family in the mountains and just getting away from the city,” Courtney adds. “I’m always on the go constantly. When I come to the mountains, it’s just such a slow pace. If you can find a spot by the river and just sit there and relax and listen, it’s just the perfect peace and serenity that anybody could ask for.”
