The ADVANCE™ special session on Combat Stress and Compassion Fatigue is the full 7-day experience designed to bring together active duty and veteran service members who have similar roles of deploying in support of other Warfighters as they accomplish their missions.
Examples of Warfighters engaged in these roles include: Chaplains, chaplain’s assistants (navy RPs), medics, corpsmen, mortuary personnel and medical professionals. Of course, any Warfighter who deployed in one of these roles who would prefer to attend the regular 7-day program is welcome to do so. We do not limit enrollment to OIF/OEF or any other conflict, operation or specific set of dates.
The ADVANCE™ is, at its core, a 7-day program that uses a variety of means to change the trajectory of the Warfighter’s (active duty or veteran) post-deployment life. This is so that rather than an existence characterized by an endless cycle of mental illness diagnoses, medications, medical appointments and disappointments, the Warfighter has a life characterized by pride, productivity, healthy relationships, continued service, and advocacy for these same outcomes for their fellow service members.
Warfighters are asked to arrive with high expectations for themselves and for the program. By week’s end, Warfighters have learned that their outcome is their responsibility, while they are no longer bewildered as to how to achieve their desired outcome. In order to achieve this, we support them with the knowledge, tools, relationships and support necessary to move forward as Warfighters (past or present), rather than patients.
The ADVANCE 7-Day™ welcomes Warfighters who are struggling with what is typically known as “PTSD,” with or without a formal diagnosis. Other post-deployment “mental illness” labels or problems such as anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, anger, and mTBI are also considered. All referrals are self-referrals. No paperwork documenting “mental illness” is required or accepted. The ADVANCE™ welcomes Warfighters who have been treated by traditional psychiatric methods, as well as Warfighters who have been struggling on their own to reintegrate or deal with their operational traumas. We welcome Warfighters who are discouraged because nothing that has been offered to them has helped, as well as those who have self-medication or substance abuse problems. We do not limit enrollment to OIF/OEF or any other conflict, operation, or specific set of dates.
Examples of Warfighters engaged in these roles include: Chaplains, chaplain’s assistants (navy RPs), medics, corpsmen, mortuary personnel and medical professionals. Of course, any Warfighter who deployed in one of these roles who would prefer to attend the regular 7-day program is welcome to do so. We do not limit enrollment to OIF/OEF or any other conflict, operation or specific set of dates.
The ADVANCE™ is, at its core, a 7-day program that uses a variety of means to change the trajectory of the Warfighter’s (active duty or veteran) post-deployment life. This is so that rather than an existence characterized by an endless cycle of mental illness diagnoses, medications, medical appointments and disappointments, the Warfighter has a life characterized by pride, productivity, healthy relationships, continued service, and advocacy for these same outcomes for their fellow service members.
Warfighters are asked to arrive with high expectations for themselves and for the program. By week’s end, Warfighters have learned that their outcome is their responsibility, while they are no longer bewildered as to how to achieve their desired outcome. In order to achieve this, we support them with the knowledge, tools, relationships and support necessary to move forward as Warfighters (past or present), rather than patients.
The ADVANCE 7-Day™ welcomes Warfighters who are struggling with what is typically known as “PTSD,” with or without a formal diagnosis. Other post-deployment “mental illness” labels or problems such as anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, anger, and mTBI are also considered. All referrals are self-referrals. No paperwork documenting “mental illness” is required or accepted. The ADVANCE™ welcomes Warfighters who have been treated by traditional psychiatric methods, as well as Warfighters who have been struggling on their own to reintegrate or deal with their operational traumas. We welcome Warfighters who are discouraged because nothing that has been offered to them has helped, as well as those who have self-medication or substance abuse problems. We do not limit enrollment to OIF/OEF or any other conflict, operation, or specific set of dates.
george burk
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"I know about overcoming obstacles, adversity and survival---physical, emotional and spiritual. Doc V and her team know about it too and are saving lives. Honored and privileged to be involved. ADVANCE!” |
