PTSD Veterans Built-In Paranoia

Dr. Phillip Leveque is a WWII Combat Veteran, Professor of Pharmacology, Forensic Toxicologist and Osteopathic Physician.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Oregon newspapers just recently have been reporting a recent PTSD Battle Veteran of carrying a licensed pistol and a knife and having a rifle in his automobile and being disciplined for it.

Training for down and dirty lethal battle includes the mantra that almost everybody out there IS your enemy and trying to kill you. It’s the truth and the advice better be firmly lodged in your brain for instant acquisition. It better be, life OR death is often a decision in a microsecond.

One of the most difficult factors in a battle zone is to keep alert while getting maybe 3 or 4 hours sleep a night. Another is sleeping with your weapon even when you are off duty even away from the front battle zone.

Another important one is keep your finger in the trigger housing. Most important is to keep your mind ON your trigger finger.

A PTSD Battle Veteran cannot get away from the factors of the above paragraph and the battle training paranoia.

Some PTSD Vets become hermits just to get away from people and/or big trucks that sound like tanks or artillery haulers. Many are afraid of the dark, justifiably so. Night terrors quite commonly are part of that.

If I remember correctly in the past few years we have had several on campus massacres killing dozens of students etc.

Why wouldn’t a battle trained, battle experienced Veteran want to protect himself? If there is any doubt about safety matters, these were drilled into basic training rookies just like life saving paranoia.

I’ll bet there are many PTSD Vets “packing Iron” and besides that almost every pickup east of the Cascades has a rifle in the back window and there are a lot of them west of the cascades. A lot of guys carry knives. I’ll bet the kitchens and Home Ec departments are full of them – big ones!

The state says this man can carry a concealed weapon. Have I missed something here? Any college campus is full of lethally dangerous weapons, many of them not easily discernable. Can any college guarantee the safety of any of its denizens? Better to have a few fully trained weapons experts ON campus.

More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole".
Order the book by mail by following this link: Dogface Soldier

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ed the vet April 5, 2009 8:15 pm (Pacific time)

I'm a vet of the war in viet nam , i did two tours there and saw as much combat as the next guy, the idea of everyone running around with guns strapped on there hips like they were in dodge city in the 1800's scares the hell out of me and a public school is no place for any kind of weapon, having said that I have a word for vic, if it wasn't for this vet and millions like him you'd be dead for voicing your opinions like you do in public . because these men put their lives on the line you don't have that worry. pansy and coward or would be hero are srong words from someone who was 26 years old and still listened to mommy when she said no. look in the mirror when you use those words kiddie, they seam to fit you better than the vet you berated.

Anonymous March 10, 2009 2:46 pm (Pacific time)

VIC PITTMAN IS A COMPLETELY RIGHT AND EVERY VETERAN IN HIS IMMEDIATE VICINITY OWES HIM A DEBT FOR SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE ATTROCITIES OF THE RETARDED BUSH ADMINISTRATION. I WISH PERSONALLY THAT I WAS HALF THE MAN TIM KING IS TOO, REALLY. I TRIED TO JOIN THE MILITARY BUT MY MOM TOLD ME NO. I WAS 26 AND I WAS RAISED A CHRISTIAN SO I RESPECT MY MOM. TODAY I'M OLD AND CAN'T GO FAR WITHOUT COLOSTOMY BAG, THANK THE LORD FOR SALEM-NEWS.COM!

S.LaMarche; March 8, 2009 11:32 pm (Pacific time)

Vic, the editors shamelessly altered my question. To rephrase it; would you consider taking a flying f&^k at the moon?, or perhaps self administered copulation? just curious mind you,vc2rf only meant as constructive critique is all, don't let the sistolic accelerate,so to speak. Be brave,answer honestly.

Editor (Tim King): Even the most deeply tanned Marine doesn't get to use profanity here. You can call me up though and I promise to listen to every word. I want to take this opportunity to tell a quick story about Vic which you may find interesting. When I was in Afghanistan Vic put comments on stories that let's just say, weren't flattering to the military. I got mad and wrote some harsh stuff back and Vic and I went back and forth quite a bit and eventually it went from a boil to a simmer. This pattern continued for some time and then I received an email from Vic stating, and I am paraphrasing, "All my life I have been anti-War, since Vietnam, but your accounts of our soldiers at war honestly make me realize that there is another side to all of this". That may not mean a lot to some people, but as a peace-oriented veteran I had to really appreciate it. The gentleman writing this comment is a very old friend. I think that these two would actually get along just fine if they really knew each other and how dedicated each is to their respective causes. Peace, Salam Alikum.

Jeremy March 8, 2009 11:19 am (Pacific time)

Generally the state Atty. General reviews administrative rules/regulations/policies for their legality. Since the state legislature did not state that it is illegal to have a CHL on campus (a statewide university/college policy forbids) this will most likely go to the state Supreme Court. I would predict regardless of how they rule it will be an issue referred for public for a vote. Either by the legislature or by petition. If the voting public gets appropriate info about the CHL safety data is another issue.

S.LaMarche; March 8, 2009 6:44 am (Pacific time)

Vic, has anyone told you to what they really think of you today?.Just curious.

stephen March 7, 2009 4:33 pm (Pacific time)

I missed Jeremy's post before posting.. good points Jeremy. Does Western really have a policy of no firearms? DO they make it clear to students? If the person mentioned, broke school policy, then he should get the consequences. At the same time, people are now aware of their school policy. I wont go near the place from now on. I am interested. My son is graduating from there in a few months, and I would feel better if I knew a few students had CHL. No gun zones breed disaster in my opinion.

Stephen March 7, 2009 4:23 pm (Pacific time)

From my understanding, this person was not charged for a crime. Any info to the contrary would be appreciated. Thanks :-)

Vic March 5, 2009 3:10 pm (Pacific time)

"As far as name calling, I think it is pansy-like to irrationally fear for your life especially over basically non-existent threats which is discraceful imo, hence the word coward." Thank you, Chris, for backing up my point. I say the idiot marine who thinks he has to carry a gun to interact with society is a COWARD.

Jeremy March 5, 2009 12:50 pm (Pacific time)

Carrying a gun(CHL) on any college campus in Oregon is not a violation of any statute, but a volation of an administrative policy, that does not have the force of a prosecutable law. That is why the Polk County DA could not prosecute, even if he wanted to. There are literally thousands of law enforcement personnel (retired and current) who have service-connected disabilities for PTSD (and it's other names from past wars) across the nation who have, and are serving productively without any problems doing their job, while dealing with their PTSD symptoms. There are many levels of PTSD, and very few actual combat veterans become lawbreakers. Several states have the right to carry guns on campus. Utah allows for CHL's to do so. Vermont does not require any license at all to carry anywhere in that state. There has "not been one gun violation" on any college campus where they are allowed to carry, not one. There has also been no mass murders going on either. I am glad people have their right to question the safety of carrying, but remember where you got that right, along with the fact the the CHL individual is a very safe population. Statistically you are much safer with someone carrying than the opposite. Just think about it from an empirical perspective, not an emotional one.

Subvet416 March 5, 2009 12:00 pm (Pacific time)

Vic, Just a few weeks ago at Virginia Tech, a male student took a female student to a campus restaurant (where he must have known guns are prohibited) and cut off her head with a large butcher knife he had concealed. All the other restaurant patrons fled in terror. I'm sure that girl's father would have felt blessed to have had an armed vet there, ready and willing to act in her defense, PTSD or not.

Vic March 5, 2009 10:45 am (Pacific time)

Chris...in this instance, I am not saying that veteran's 2nd ammendment rights be taken away, but perhaps people who are deemed mentally unstable..even if it is through no fault of their own, should be denied that right. The title of this article uses the word "paranoia"...I am saying that I dont think anyone who suffers from paranoia..whether he be a marine or an anarchist, should carry a gun on a campus, or even in public. It seems to me to be a recipe for disaster. I dont feel that I need to pack a gun to go to the grocery store or school...that makes me a coward?

ChrisJones March 5, 2009 10:41 am (Pacific time)

I bet virginia tech was a nice peaceful little campus as well...I don't know if you noticed, but society is starting to unravel and being prepared to defend yourself doesn't hurt anything, imo. Another thing, I disagree that following the constitution is acting "above the law" as you say. That's the most serious statute in the land. If this institution didn't survive off of public funds they could have private property rights to enact any rules they choose regarding guns and I would have to respect their laws if I wanted to go on their property. As far as name calling, I think it is pansy-like to irrationally fear for your life especially over basically non-existent threats which is discraceful imo, hence the word coward. A little bit of fear is healthy, but you put that energy into training and preparedness. Sorry, maybe I'm just old school about it.

Subvet416 March 5, 2009 6:33 am (Pacific time)

My former VA shrinks always wanted me to carry a few extra pounds, hard to avoid if you take psych drugs. When I eventually regained the health of my adrenal system with orthomolecular therapy, the excess weight went with it, and I sort of missed it. So I chose to carry (with a valid permit) the Colt 1911A1 due to long familiarity with its operation and appreciation of its excellent qualities.

ChrisJones March 5, 2009 9:53 am (Pacific time)

What if I choose not to be fearful and instead, I want my daughter to carry at the school? Real murderers and rapists can access various weapons very easily plus they don't care about the rules vic. Banning guns only creates disarmed victims.

ChrisJones March 5, 2009 9:41 am (Pacific time)

To VIC: So you support the infringement of veterans' 2nd amendment constitutional rights to bear arms? That is absolute tyranny and traitorous!! You also seem to be very judgemental of ptsd victims but NEVER forget the blood of those million iraqis is on your hands too brother vic as well as mine.
If you are fearing for your life buddy all day then get used to it there's a lot of guns out there and they aren't going anywhere pansy. You sound like a coward.

Editor: Chris, this forum is not for name calling; it is for intelligent dialog. I honestly don't think you further your cause when you drop to grade school playground level, OK? Vic is a highly outspoken person but he only speaks one way consistently and I can tell you that he isn't a pansy. I was a Marine, I think you know that, and you may also know that I have almost an involuntary reaction toward wanting to help Marines in the articles I write. I have stayed silent on this one, but if I had to ask a question it would be, why is it OK for one person to violate a serious statute by carrying a gun onto a campus of peaceful people? All I remember from growing up in this country, being in the Marines, etc., is that when you screw up you pay. I get a little tired of people being above the law like the last Presidential administration. By the way, have you ever been to the Western Oregon campus? It isn't exactly a barrio; just a place where a bunch of people go to gain an education. I personally think that Marine combat vets are probably the last people who need a weapon to defend themselves, and that is a nagging issue. I think that if this was a minority student who hadn't served in Iraq, that nobody would be saying squat, and that part is a little unsettling.

ChrisJones March 5, 2009 9:30 am (Pacific time)

Another good reason not to go to college, aka the commie leftist indoctrination centers. On top of that, the college bubble is about to burst because everybody's got a degree, so what? A piece of paper wow! College is for lazy kids (and adults that act like kids) that want to party and waste money instead of being responsible and actually productive. It's not a smart choice for a young person just starting out to waste 4 years of life to saddle yourself with debt for a decade, as you are basically doing nothing but acting busy and important, sheltered from the sometimes uncomfortable realities of the real world. There's so many ways to learn (for free) knowledge in this day and age, college is obselete now basically if you have any sort of drive and determination.

Vic March 5, 2009 9:24 am (Pacific time)

Thanks for backing up my point, Subvet,,even if unconsciously. That is what this society needs..more disturbed people (or why else would you be seeing "shrinks") with guns. Geeez

Vic March 5, 2009 6:34 am (Pacific time)

I wouldnt want my daughter going to school with a whacked out marine armed to the hilt. Schools should have security guards, not a bunch of armed mentally unstable thugs running around who have mental problems. Any idiot can see the foolishness in that scenario. This guy signed up to kill people,and now he's paranoid...excuse me if I feel zero sympathy for his plight. The rest of us shouldnt have to fear for our lives because he wanted to be a hero.

Subvet416 March 5, 2009 6:27 am (Pacific time)

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PTSD Veterans Built-In Paranoia

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