Recovery Method Examples From Vets

The following are some specific examples of veterans using the Recovery International Method. In these examples, the veterans explain their responses or symptoms resulting from certain situations, the tools (“spots’) they used to get through the situation and how they would have responded to the situation before Recovery International.

Helicopter Gunner

I was a temporary gunner on a helicopter gunship. A patrol on the ground called in a strike on their own position. I could see our troops and the enemy but could not bring myself to fire on the friendly position. The position was overrun and all the friendly troops were killed. Speculation was if I had fired where the strike was requested part of our guys would have survived. I doubt it because I have seen the devastation of a chain gun.

My symptoms are anger at the rejection of others and fear I may become a social pariah because of this incident. I have a feeling my heart is fluttering every time I think of this incident even years later.

I spot that it is just average in combat to be in duality. I planned, decided and acted and made what I thought was the right decision at the time. I can put my detractors into my outer environment.

Before Recovery I felt no need to go on living. Now I can look at life objectively. Every act of self control leads to self respect.

Living With the Loss of Life

Three men were walking beside the road in unseasonably heavy clothes and army boots. Rather than call out the alarm immediately, I waited until I was out of personal danger. A firefight ensued where many of our troops were killed and a lot of equipment was destroyed by RPGs. I indicted myself for not giving an earlier warning. I often think of the dead guys in my unit that might be alive if I had responded sooner to the ambush.

My symptoms are loneliness, isolation, babble of the brain, lowered feelings and some unjustified guilt.

I spot that it was not all my fault, the lead units failed to notice the signs we were going into an ambush. I spot I need to take the right and wrong out of it for my own mental health. I can excuse instead of accuse. I can change my thinking if I can’t change the situation.

Before Recovery I would have spent months in lowered feelings on prescribed drugs to change my thinking. I endorse for having the will to bear discomfort.

Troop Ambush

While checking out a village house by house looking for insurgents, I found a loft with wooden crates in a lean-to. I did not report it because there was not a person there. This weapons cache was later used to ambush our troops resulting in permanent disabilities and deaths. The memory sometimes gets me worked up.

Headache, migraines, lowered feelings, a hard time seeing clearly, and distracted by racing thoughts.

I spot that I have the will to bear discomfort and the will to effort. Even though I can not control my feelings, I can control my thoughts. I can move my muscles and go jogging when I get down.

Before Recovery, I would have had a crying habit and embarrass myself in front of others. I endorse myself for planning, deciding, acting and taking control of my life.

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