FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) – After two days of meetings with commanders and soldiers, veterans advocates say they are satisfied the Army is listening to their concerns about how post-traumatic stress disorder is handled.
A panel of Senate staffers and veterans advocates wrapped closed-door meetings at Fort Carson on Tuesday, prompted by complaints from soldiers and their families about how the post treats soldiers with the stress disorder.
The Senate staffers will report back to their bosses, including Democrats John Kerry, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Steve Robinson of the advocacy group Veterans for America said he had a private meeting with 4th Infantry Division commander Maj.
Gen. Jeffery W. Hammond and concluded the Army appears to be moving in the right direction.
Robinson said Hammond assured him his group will have input into what soldiers are taught about the post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fort Carson spokesman Lt. Col. David Johnson said post commanders learned from the meetings that soldiers need more education on the effects of the stress disorder and that soldiers’ medical conditions need to be tracked more closely.
Fort Carson soldiers and their families have complained that sergeants and junior officers have been insensitive toward troops with the disorder.
Johnson said an education campaign begun earlier this year will be stepped up.
” By All Means We’re Not Perfect,” He said. “we Have challenges ahead of us.”
