The horrors of war don't scamper away when a veteran packs away his or her uniform. The images of battle can be forever branded on the minds of combat-weary soldiers, sailors and marines.
An LDS naval chaplain is helping U.S. military personnel deal with the aftermath of war. Lt. Cmdr. Ronald R. Ringo helped develop a "warrior transition" seminar that is being offered to marines and sailors returning home from combat deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are trying to help limit the effects of the traumatic experiences of war," said Chaplain Ringo of the Jacksonville 3rd Ward, Wilmington North Carolina Stake.
Many Americans involved in, say, the ongoing conflict in Iraq have taken lives. Some have seen comrades die. All have witnessed the ugly episodes of battle. Trauma is often combat's by-product. Terms such as "post-traumatic stress disorder" and "flashbacks" have long been associated with veterans struggling with their first-hand exposure to war.
Chaplain Ringo hopes the warrior transition program will allow veterans to effectively deal with such experiences. Seminars are typically conducted on ships transporting marines and sailors home from a deployment. Brother Ringo and his fellow chaplains "walk" each of the veterans through their combat experiences, encouraging them to talk about their service in enemy territory.
"We ask them what they learned about themselves as, say, a father, son or husband," Chaplain Ringo said. "We ask them about what they learned about the enemy and what they're taking home."
The seminar stresses the importance of communication. A marine who has experienced combat needs to be able to talk about his or her experiences with a spouse, loved one or spiritual leader. No one need cope alone or find comfort via alcohol or drugs, Chaplain Ringo said.
"We teach [veterans] the importance of telling their story," he said.
Besides directing the warrior transition program, Chaplain Ringo oversees the CREDO (Chaplain Religious Education Development Operation) program at Camp Lejune Marine Base in North Carolina. CREDO organizes retreats for marines and their families to help cope with the unique challenges of military duty. A Church convert, Chaplain Ringo emphasizes the importance of total fitness through physical, mental and spiritual development.
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com