Returning troops to see medics
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
As Hawai'i-based soldiers and Marines continue to stream out of Iraq and transition back to the civilian world, they'll be required to make a follow-up visit with a medical professional months after returning home.
The new requirement comes after a study of service members who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, conducted anonymously, found that as many as 17 percent continue to have anxiety, stress, depression and adjustment problems.
The follow-up screening builds on health assessments to identify post-traumatic stress disorder and other adjustment issues immediately after return. Only 3 percent to 4 percent indicated they had a mental health concern, however.
"We think that's principally because people, upon coming back, are just very anxious to get back with their families and get home," said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
"But then, what they experience when they get back to normal (life), may be anger, may be difficulty with sleeping, (they) may be on edge," Winkenwerder said. "Again, to be sure, it's a minority."
The new program, which starts in April and calls for screening two to five months after returning home, builds on pre- and post-deployment assessments that were begun a few years ago and expanded in 2003.
"This is important, because we want to make sure that we're taking care of every service member and his or her family, and we certainly want to prevent problems that we know do happen down the line for certain individuals," Winkenwerder said.
The assistant secretary spoke about the new program yesterday at Camp Smith on his way to Indonesia to check on the U.S. military tsunami relief effort and visit the hospital ship Mercy.
The 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment from Schofield Barracks has returned to Hawai'i after a year in Iraq; more than 800 soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry were expected to return Monday and yesterday; and the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry is expected back in a few days.
The soldiers are among 5,200 leaving Iraq. Another 5,800 Schofield soldiers are in Afghanistan, finishing up a year of duty there.
The families of nearly 1,000 Hawai'i-based Marines also have good news: most have left Iraq for Kuwait, officials said. The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, which took part in fighting in Fallujah, will be heading to Okinawa, Japan, and is expected back in Hawai'i in a couple of months.
Forty-six Marines and sailors assigned to 1/3 and 13 Schofield Barracks soldiers have been killed in Iraq. Another 13 Schofield soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan.
Returnees get a three-day pass, three days of classes and briefings on issues including finances, transfers, suicide prevention, acting responsibly in the civilian world, and the medical screening. After that, they receive 30 days off.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
