A Combat Medic in Iraq in 2004 - Episode 73

We are kicking off mental health month by sharing Jenny Pacanowski’s military experience. She talks openly about her struggle with drugs and alcohol after deploying to Iraq in 2004. When she came home she knew something was wrong, but no one knew what to do with a female combat veteran. Women were not technically allowed into combat roles in 2016 and this was early in the war. Even when I deployed in 2010 and came home and spoke with a therapist about my struggles. I was told I would be fine. It just takes a few months to adjust back to normal life. Hearing Jenny’s story of knowing something was wrong and not being able to find help reminded me of my experience. And makes me sad that even six years later the military was not doing more to help those who were coming home from deployment.