Nobody understand trauma.
I will share some of my experience in order to help you understand that you do not understand.
But you can have compassion.
On Masculinity
This post also appears on 70sBig.com. We all remember our fascination with the physical prowess of brawny men. There’s something about the mustaches, the short shorts, the faded pictures of big eye glasses, and slabs of meat for traps. I was 23 when I started 70sBig.com. I had some sort of infatuation with masculinity. I…
“Hero”
My friend’s son made this for school, and it makes me cry like a babe. Not long ago hearing the words “hero” with my name made me want to vomit. Does the person know I believed I deserved to die? That I believed I wasn’t good enough for anyone? That the fearless warrior in combat…
Just Another Morning
It was just another morning. This picture was taken a week before I stepped on the IED. I was in charge of a six man element, and we used the Polaris RZR I’m leaning on to drive to nearby partner force outposts. I had a mechanic with me to take a looksie at their generators.…
Ketamine Essay
The first time I received ketamine was after I stepped on an IED, and the experience of emotional and physical trauma while under the influences of this medication were profound. I wrote this essay so medical providers — doctors, nurses, combat medics, etc. — can improve their understanding of how this drug can influence a…
A Letter to SOF
By Justin Lascek U.S. Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant The nature of Special Operations is to accomplish near impossible missions. We are the action arm of policy for our nation, a tool in war and peace. Nowadays we are the primary effort in combat, conflict, and influence. We may be tasked with everything from humanitarian…