One Veteran’s Delayed Diagnosis

By Robyn Mincher, DCoE Strategic Communications

Sometimes we encounter frustrations in our daily routine—an important package delivered late or being struck in traffic come to mind. For Samuel Console, a retired Pennsylvania Army National Guard lieutenant, lateness was more than a simple annoyance. His traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis occurred six years after an improvised explosive device (IED) blew up next to his Humvee.

In 2005, Console was a combat engineer in Iraq searching out and quarantining IEDs, which he encountered often.

“We knew the area we were going to was very hot,” said Console. “We were going out and putting protective barrier around polling sites. Our mission was at night … when you can’t see IEDs.”

The last thing Console remembers after the explosion is an orange flash of light. “I came to and said ‘IED!’ but it had happened seconds before,” he said. “I couldn’t hear anything because my ears were ringing so loud.”

Back at base, Console was queasy and his head felt as if someone had hit him with force. He debriefed leadership on the combat incident, and since no immediate medical assessment was required at the time, he went to sleep without an evaluation.

“This was in 2005, when there was no protocol unless you brought up your symptoms. No one was using the term TBI,” Console said. “As an officer, you’re not supposed to get off your horse—you’re supposed to charge back into battle.”

That’s essentially what happened. The next morning, he didn’t feel right and had a headache, which he brushed off as adrenaline, but continued serving out his deployment.

When he returned home, Console’s wife immediately noticed he was different. Not only physically—from his loss of balance, increased sensitivity to light, pulsing headaches, short memory and hearing loss—but psychologically as well.

“I was very much disconnected, experiencing sadness and depression. I spent a month without sleeping,” Console said. “My wife and I got married two weeks before I deployed, and she considered me a different husband and [ours] an entirely new marriage [when I returned].”

Console was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stayed in therapy for three years, but became frustrated when his symptoms returned. Around this time, doctors became more aware of TBI and co-occurring conditions.

“During a meeting with my VA doctor, I said ‘I’m upset all the time and have hearing loss! I was blown up!’ He replied, ‘Were you ever in proximity to an IED? We have to get you an MRI.’”

After confirming that he had not been in a car accident or situation that would have recently caused head trauma, doctors diagnosed him with TBI stemming from the 2005 IED blast. He finally had an answer to his ongoing post-combat symptoms.

Console started prolonged exposure therapy, journaling his experience that later turned into a book: “Service and Sacrifice: Memories of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a Veterans Mental Health Resource Guide.” The book offers tips on what service members and veterans can do when they have post-combat stress to self-check their behavior, and ensure they get proper diagnosis and treatment. Console hopes the book motivates veterans to be proactive and raise their hand when there’s a concern.

“I meet veterans who won’t even go to VA, but that’s where you get your help. I’ve met vets who haven’t gotten checked for TBI even when they have symptoms,” he said. “I encourage everyone to take a very strong hold of their personal health.”

Learn more about TBI resources provided by Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) and Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, a DCoE center.

Deadline for some Wisconsin military voters extended

Wisconsin military and overseas voters from 65 municipalities will have extra time to return their absentee ballot for the April 3 Presidential Preference Primary.

Cities, towns and villages in 35 counties across the state missed the legal deadline of Feb. 18 to send approximately 240 requested ballots to military and overseas voters. Consequently, overseas voters from those areas will have up to 26 additional days to return their ballots.

The extension is a result of a March 23 consent decree between the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Department of Justice viewed the failure of some municipal clerks to ship absentee ballots on time as a violation of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, but agreed to a consent decree rather than resolve the issue in court.

Reid Magney, public information officer for the GAB, said that all eligible overseas ballots will be counted.

"The election night vote totals are unofficial," Magney said. "The official count comes from the local canvases, and those will not close until all the absentee ballots have been received."

Magney said that the absentee ballots still must be properly signed, witnessed and postdated by April 3, but municipalities that sent the ballots out late have to allow the same number of days after 4 p.m. April 6 - the normal deadline for absentee ballots - to receive the ballots from overseas. If the number of outstanding absentee ballots will not affect the final outcome - for example, three outstanding absentee ballots will not change a 25-vote margin - municipalities may send a qualified vote total to the GAB and update the figures later.

Under the consent decree, Wisconsin agrees to send absentee ballots by e-mail or FAX if affected overseas voters have not received their ballots by postal mail, and to notify affected voters of an established procedure to determine which ballot is to be counted if a voter returns a ballot by both mail and e-mail. Magney said the GAB sent a news release about the late ballots and consent decree to Stars and Stripes to inform overseas service members, and also posted the information on its website.

Kevin Kennedy, Wisconsin's chief election official, said the federal consent decree will be in effect through the fall 2012 elections.

Overseas voters who requested an absentee ballot but have not received it can also use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). By selecting "Get My Ballot Now," voters will see an online back-up ballot containing the candidate list.

Other than the presidential candidate primary, the April 3 ballot contains no statewide elections. However, voters from some counties may have elections for judicial office, county board, municipal board, school board and referenda. The names of all federal and state candidates on the April 3 ballot are available on the GAB website.

Military and overseas voters with questions about the absentee voting process may e-mail the GAB or call 1-608-261-2028, or toll-free 1-866-VOTE-WIS.

For additional assistance, contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN 425-1584 or at vote@fvap.gov.

Finalist Chosen in the SE Connecticut Submarine Force Birthday Ball Sing-off

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- More than 100 people attended the first Southeastern Connecticut Submarine Force Birthday Ball Sing-off at Fitch High School March 24 in Groton.

Of the 14 contestants who belted out their favorite lyrics in the auditorium of Fitch High School, a 20-year old junior attending the University of Connecticut from Mystic, Conn., won the sing-off.

"It's a good opportunity to sing the national anthem at this year's Submarine Force Birthday Ball," said Christine Fisher, who also added that her boyfriend, who is assigned to a Groton-based submarine, encouraged her to audition.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to perform for the ball. All of the finalists were great singers and it was a great experience," said Fisher, who was also a 2009 graduate from Fitch High School.

Brittney Longyear, one of the three finalists selected by the judges to perform the national anthem said she decided to enter the competition for a good cause.

"I always look at these types of events going toward a good cause and I love to get involved with things that are bigger than me," said Longyear, who has been singing since the age of three, and has performed at various fundraisers to raise awareness for cancer research and competed in national singing contests.

Active duty military personnel also participated in the sing-off. Yeoman 2nd Class Alex Kuen, assigned to Submarine Surveillance and Equipment Program Atlantic, who studied opera in college, entertained the audience with his singing and his two-year old son's appearance on stage during his audition.

"Anytime I can sing in front of people I will grab at the opportunity," said Kuen, who was the third finalist chosen to perform the national anthem in front of the panel of judges prior to Fisher's selection. Kuen has some impressive singing credentials; he used to sing professionally in a barbershop quartet out of Providence, R.I.

Kuen's wife Meaghan was overjoyed with her husband's performance, "so very proud."

Besides Kuen, other contestants brought with them to the stage years of experience working in the music industry. April Marie, a native of Waterford, who now resides in New York and has trained musicians for the past 20 years, sang "At Last" by musician Etta James for the judges and audience.

"The talent here tonight, must be so hard for the judges," said Marie, who had nearly 20 family and friends from New York and Connecticut who supported her through the audition.

Two other services were represented in the sing-off, a former Army specialist and an Air National Guard soldier also competed.

Marion Green, originally from New Jersey, is a contractor employed on Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. Green has served as an Army ammunition specialist and performed before the troops in Kabul, Afghanistan (Camp Phoenix) spanning 2008 - 2010. Green also performed with the Army's 101st Airborne Division's Manifest Destiny in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2010.

"I wanted to be a part of this because you need to sing for the troops, it helps to build their morale," said Green.

SrA Lisa Weiss, currently serving with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard also competed in the sing off, and performed with the Air Force's Tops in Blue in 2010.

"I love singing the national anthem, and actually got the opportunity to perform with the Air Force when they toured around the world," said Weiss.

Capt. Marc Denno, commanding officer, Naval Submarine Base New London was one of five judges who volunteered their time to judge the contestants participating in the sing off.

"I am once again overwhelmed by the support of the Connecticut community for our Navy," said Denno. "Many non-military affiliated contestants showed up tonight so show their support. We also received a lot of help from our neighbors to put on this event, as well as the use of the local high school."

Lt. Scott Mythen, director, Navy Band Northeast discussed also judging the talented group of singers in this year's competition.

"A talented group of vocalists took the stage Saturday," said Mythen. "The decisions were not easy, given the impressive level of talent."

Mythen was one of five judges who voluntary judged the singers to find the best talent to perform the national anthem at the 112th Submarine Force Birthday Ball on April 14 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort.

"The judges had a tough time picking the top three," said Mythen. "I believe what ultimately shone through was not the ability to entertain the crowd, but rather whose voice had the quality, throughout all vocal registers, needed to perform the national anthem."

Mythen added the national anthem is not always the easiest to perform.

"Rendering vocal honors to our flag are not easy, especially given the skill required to sing the expansive melody found in the Star Spangled Banner. It requires control and power, range and a pure tone. I'm pleased with the selection that was made," said Mythen.

Rear Adm. Rick Breckenridge, commander, Submarine Group 2 spoke prior to the start of the sing off about the significance of our nation's anthem.

"Before the competition begins it's fitting to understand our anthem's creation to set the stage for the contestants who will be performing later this evening," said Breckenridge.

The Southeastern Connecticut Submarine Force Birthday Ball Planning Committee is an all volunteer, non-federal entity not endorsed by the Department of Defense.

DOD Needs Industry’s Help to Catch Cyber Attacks, Commander Says

By Lisa Daniel

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2012 – The Defense Department needs private-sector cooperation in reporting computer network attacks in real time to stop what has been the “greatest transfer of wealth in history” that U.S. companies lose to foreign hackers, the head of U.S. Cyber Command told a Senate committee today.

Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, who also is the National Security Agency director, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he supports legislation that would require private companies to report attacks, and added that such reporting needs to happen before an attack is complete.

“We need to see the attack,” he said. “If we can’t see the attack, we can’t stop it. We have to have the ability to work with industry -- our partners -- so that when they are attacked, they can share that with us immediately.”

Many cyber defense bills have stalled in Congress over concerns about privacy, overregulation and the military’s role in cyber protection, Alexander and the senators noted.

The general compared the current situation to a missile being fired into U.S. airspace with no radars to see it. “Today, we’re in the forensics mode,” he said. “When an attack occurs, we’re told about it after the fact.”

Alexander added, though, that industry should be monitoring their own systems with help from Cyber Command and the Department of Homeland Security. “I do not believe we want the NSA or Cyber Command or the military in our networks, watching it,” he said.

Alexander explained the federal partnership of U.S. cyber security as one in which Homeland Security leads in creating the infrastructure to protect U.S. interests, Cyber Command defends against attacks, FBI conducts criminal investigations, and the intelligence community gathers overseas information that could indicate attacks.

“Cyber is a team sport,” he said. “It is increasingly critical to our national and economic security. … The theft of intellectual property is astounding.”

The Defense Department’s request of $3.4 billion for Cyber Command in fiscal 2013 is one of the few areas of growth in the DOD budget, senators noted. The command has made progress toward its goals of making cyber space safer, maintaining freedom of movement there, and defending the vital interests of the United States and its allies, Alexander said. The command also is working toward paring down the department’s 15,000 separate networks, he said.

Cyber threats from nations -- with the most originating in China -- and non-state actors is growing, Alexander said. DOD computers receive some 6 million threatening probes each day, he said.

“It is increasingly likely, as we move forward, that any attack on the U.S. will include a cyber attack,” he said. “These are threats the nation cannot ignore. What we see … underscores the imperative to act now.”