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Veteranology #7: Dr. Craig Bryan

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Dr. Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. Dr. Bryan received his PsyD in clinical psychology Baylor University, and completed his clinical psychology residency at the Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

He served four years in the Air Force on active duty as the Chief of Primary Care Psychology Services and Suicide Prevention Program Manager at Lackland AFB, and deployed to Iraq in 2009 as the Clinical Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic located at Joint Base Balad (LSA Anaconda), Iraq. Dr. Bryan currently researchers suicide, psychological health, and resiliency among military personnel and veterans, and oversees two randomized controlled trials totaling approximately $3M testing interventions for suicidal military personnel at Fort Carson, Colorado. He also serves as the lead risk management consultant for the $25 million STRONG STAR Research Consortium investigating treatments for combat-related PTSD among military personnel.

Dr. Bryan is a nationally-recognized expert on military suicide, and serves as a consultant to the Department of Defense for psychological health promotion initiatives and suicide prevention. He regularly provides training to clinicians and medical professionals about managing suicidal patients, and has over 120 publications and scientific presentations in the areas of suicide and military mental health, including the book Managing Suicide Risk in Primary Care.

In this episode Dr. Bryan and I discuss the issue of veteran suicides.  Dr. Bryan helps answer the following questions asked by my fellow veterans:

  • How accurate is the statistic that 22 veterans commit suicide everyday?
  • What are the commonalities of veteran suicides?
  • How should we, as survivors, react to suicide?
  • What solutions are proving the most effective at combating the veteran suicide rate?
  • Do mental health first aid techniques work?
  • Has there been a change in the veteran suicide rate related to the publicity of this issue?
  • Are suicides more related to transitioning out of the military and finding purpose than PTSD and bad memories/dreams?
  • Are there direct or indirect connections between medications prescribed to veterans and suicide risk?

Veteranology #6: Jordan Meek

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Jordan Meek and I met at the Marine Corps School of Infantry in 2004. He graduated on went on to serve with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Weapons Company as a mortarman. He served two tours in Iraq within the city of Ramadi once as a humvee driver and again as a vehicle commander. He left active duty in 2008 and moved home to Iowa.

In Iowa Jordan went to college for communication technology and eventually found himself working for Union Pacific where he has been for the past 5 years. Now he raising a family and building a great a future.

In this episode we discuss:

The funny things that happen in bootcamp.

The city of Ramadi and the mission Jordan supported there.

Jordan’s career growth and why he chose to get into communications.

The hole left above Jordan’s bunk by a dud mortar round.

The importance of reaching out to fellow servicemembers for help and to find out how they are doing as well.

 

You can find more information about Union Pacific jobs here: https://up.jobs/

Veteranology #3: Dustin Batson

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In this episode I have the honor of interviewing Dustin Batson, a Marine Corps veteran, squad leader, entrepreneur and business owner.  The West End Elixir Company opened its doors on September 10th of this year and business has been overwhelmingly good for Batson.  With half of his staff being veterans this should come at no surprise.

Episode three contains too many nuggets of wisdom to put them all into the show notes. Here are a few parts to listen for:

Using the reserves as a stepping stone out of the military.  (Throughout)

2nd Battalion, 7th Marines leading the way in Afghanistan.  (6:50 mark)

The biggest challenge he faced moving into the civilian world.  (15:50)

His rise through the bar ranks and leadership as a bar’s general manager.  (19:30)

He explains the fear and liberation of starting his own business.  (28:32)

His future plans for success and where he is taking his business.  (41:06)

You can find the West End Elixir Company website here.  There was also a recent news article about Batson and his bar. Read it here to see how he is helping veterans start new jobs as bartenders.