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Army puts TBI, PTSD recognition on fast track

The Army began a program Wednesday that will teach all soldiers to identify the lingering effects of war on their peers.

The massive effort seeks to educate all soldiers in the Army’s three components by Oct. 18 on how to identify what the Army believes is a more significant number of mild traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder cases than previously thought.

“We don’t want another Vietnam, people with chronic symptoms that go on for years,” said Col. Elspeth C. Ritchie, the Army’s chief psychiatrist and director of the Army’s behavioral health proponency.

The awareness and response program known as “chain teaching” is an interactive training system that uses a series of video sequences, PowerPoint slides and an accompanying script.

It will be taught from the top of the chain of command downward and is designed to enlist the observational skills of all soldiers.

In 90 days, the Army hopes to reach every single soldier “from four-star to private,” said Lt. Gen. James Campbell, director of Army staff.

“It’s somewhat of an unusual step. I’ve been in the Army now, this is my 37th year, and I can only recall once or twice that our Army has instituted what the Army calls a chain teaching program,” Campbell said.

The program is part of the Army Medical Action Plan, part of an overhaul of the Medical Command’s care for wounded soldiers.

“Our current operations have identified MTBI and PTSD as a recurring condition affecting units, soldiers and families. These conditions are not insurmountable and can be treated,” officials said in the message, which appeared on the Army Knowledge Online Web site.

The chain teaching program is for leaders, soldiers and family members. It comes with instructional materials that can be downloaded from the AKO site or from the Army’s home page.

“In order to remain Army Strong, every leader and soldier must be capable of identifying symptoms and ensuring that treatment is available to every soldier who requires or requests it,” the announcement said.

Detailed guidance and training materials for the new awareness and response program can be found at http://www.army.mil/.