There's Nothing Funny When a Warrior Cries
December 3, 2005. It is a crisp cold day in Iraq. Me and my platoon of 20 warriors are coming off a mission of hunting insurgents. We are dirty and tired to the point of delirium. The rest of the 70 men in our Company are back at the base sleeping soundlessly..it is quiet as we pull up and park our trucks. And just as we step out – BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Mortar rounds the size of footballs start to fall directly where the other men are sleeping. Immediately we begin to pound on the doors – GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP!...
…I get a knock on my door, telling me something I already know, my good friend is dead. Dazed and in shock, I just start to laugh…until I look over and see one of my soldiers with his head slumped over a Hum-V steering wheel with tears running down his face. There’s nothing funny when a warrior cries.
…The military breaks you down as an individual. It builds you up as part of a squad. It teaches you to adapt and overcome some of the worst situations a human being could possible face and never ask for help. Yet the deep scars we carry – never go away.
Stigma is associated with seeking mental health care. Seeking help is a sign of weakness in a culture built on strength. We don’t ask for help because that means “you’re broken”.
We have to redefine culturally what strength is. When we END THE STIGMA, WE SAVE LIVES. The health of our body and minds is worth fighting for. We are not broken.
Warriors support everyone. We need everyone’s support.
We have to put a system in place that properly works to strengthen our nation’s military – their mind, body, and spirit. This is about building a fighting force that is of sound mind and body.
What can we do? Watch the TEDxSantaBarbara video and see.
Interested in William speaking at your next event? Contact [email protected].
William Rodriguez, MSW, was inspired to dedicate his life to helping Veterans and all of those affected by trauma after serving in the US Army from 2000-2006. During this time, he participated in 3 combat deployments in the Middle East as a reconnaissance squad leader with both the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom /Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his separation from the military, William began studying psychology & graduated with a Master’s Degree in Military Social Work from USC in 2012.
William is featured in the award-winning documentary film, Thank You for Your Service, released in 2015. This film depicts the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life.
William currently works as a transformational coach and consultant in private practice and specializes in the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other co-occurring disorders. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
