PTSD Affects Personal Accountability

Our culture puts a high value on personal accountability, self determination etc. It's one of the most difficult aspects of gaining support when struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When a loved one, friend or colleague is let down due to forgetfulness, tardiness, absent mindedness, triggers or mental blocks, the potential to damage the fundamental relationship is very high. These benchmark aspects of interacting with each other provide a structure and foundation so that collaboration can take place between people and groups. Without the ability to play by these rules, a PTSD sufferer is at a clear disadvantage. The battle grounds are invisible, but the loss of impact and human potential is very real.

TRUTH and JUSTICE: Dead Marine's Mom Presents First-Ever Award In Daughter's Memory To Senator John Kerry

First Lauterbach Award For Truth and Justice presented on Capitol Hill

"The military is stupid and vindictive. The VA is only stupid." Learn to understand the rules, or you're stuck. -- Susan Avila-Smith, VetWow founder. (Story/photos courtesy of DailyKos)

                                               Rest In Peace Maria Lauterbach

President of the United States Spoke Today on Military Sexual Assault

"I applaud the initiatives that Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have announced to further combat sexual assault in the military. The men and women of the United States military deserve an environment that is free from the threat of sexual assault, and in which allegations of sexual assault are thoroughly investigated, offenders are held appropriately accountable, and victims are given the care and support they need. Elevating these cases to a higher level of command review is a very important step. I believe that sexual assault has no place in our military. I thank Secretary Panetta and Chairman Dempsey and look forward to seeing continued progress on this important issue." -- Barack Obama, President of the United States of America

LINK: POTUS Official Statement 4/24/12

Texas, Pennsylvania Hometown Heroes Raped At Academies, File Suit

Movie Outlines Military Men Raped, Sexually Assaulted

CHARADE WATCH: Parrish Calls Pentagon Out On Rape Report

"Similar to previous so-called reforms, these policy changes do little to address the fundamental barriers to justice: commander discretion and a military justice system that stacks the deck against the victim." Ms. Nancy Parrish, President Protect Our Defenders

Huff Post EDITORIAL: Protect Our Defenders Unspins DoD Military Sexual Assault Report

"This year's SAPRO report revealed that of the 2,410 reports of sexual assault, 191 -- 8% -- resulted in a court-martial conviction. This sobering fact goes a long way toward explaining why so few victims decide to report. It is evidence of the utter failure to protect the victim and effectively prosecute the perpetrator."

Protect Our Defenders Honorary Chair Congresswoman Jackie Speier with Kori, veteran and a subject of The Invisible War, and Nancy Parrish at the Sundance Film Festival 2012.

LINK: Protect Our Defenders

MOVIE LINK: Invisible War: The Battle Ground Is Your Barracks

SWAN Pounds Pavement For MST Survivors On The Hill

RELEASE: Service Womens Action Network Takes ACTION

"If the new DOD reforms do not significantly reduce the rates of sexual assault and change the broader military culture, DOD will have to reckon with more dramatic action, such as removing disposition authority from the military altogether, or establishing mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines." -- Anu Bhagwati, Service Women's Action Network