Green Beret shares combat stories, struggles with PTSD and how to overcome them. *GRAPHIC* 

I deployed with this man. He is legit one of my heroes

I know this man because of jujitsu, but I never knew any of this I’m just speechless

This dude is a real warrior. I’ve had the opportunity to train with him. Outstanding jiu jitsu professor

My dad was a retired Marine who did a beach landing in WWII at the age of 16, two tours in the Korean War and Vietnam in 1967-68. When he got home he retired and we moved to a non-military town. He went from a violent life to being a dad working at a lumber mill with non-veterans over a six-month period. Dad was difficult to live with and we never got along until years later. Never realized what his issues were until much later in life after I served, though never to the extent he did. It took him a long time to find peace, which in his case was through faith in his savior, Jesus Christ. Something he really never had before and it changed him! He had so many regrets. One takeaway I had with my service is that our current veterans experience the care and quality-of-life because of what the Vietnam vets were subjected to, and subsequently, took action to ensure we were taken care of. Sure, more could be done, but we have so much more than dad and his comrades did. RIP. Love you, dad.

My buddy Dan was an IED specialist in the Army. The things he saw messed him up so bad. He took his own life a few years back. Rip brother, see u on the other side

Took me 12 years after my last deployment to actually acknowledge and accept my mental health issues. I've never felt better.

Sad thing is that most people will never fully understand PTSD,, not even your physiologist!!! Unless they suffer from it.... 🙏🏻🇺🇸

As a kid I remember running thru the woods with my uncle chasing the enemy. I thought it was a game we was playing. Didnt realize it was an episode, they really didnt give a damn back in the day. Glad yall are getting treatment and putting out more awareness. Yall def deserve more than what this country has provided

Your brain biologically adapted to the life threatening environment you were over exposed to... Your brain was dumping so many stress hormones and stress signaling proteins that the receptors on you neuronal cell surfaces had to reduce the number being expressed. Large numbers of receptors allow an attenuated response that is varied upon the level of threat. Due to the severity and continual exposure, it was safer for your body to be in a heightened state of fight or flight no matter the level of threat. When the receptors reduced their numbers, the brains response to stress hormones loses its capacity to deal with the stress in a multifaceted manner that is dependent upon the threat level. It becomes an all or nothing response that can trigger the fight or flight response in a more robust manners in a shorter period of time which improves survivability and response times in life threatening situations. Hence the capability to slow down time during a fight and process information and threats at a much higher capacity. The trade off comes in trying to change gears back to normal without going all out in a civil situation that triggers the stress response. Nothing is wrong per say... It is a normal biological adaptation to exposure to life threatening events. It takes a long time to regrow the receptors, retune the mindset and to let go of the trauma. First step is not harboring guilt for the way you over react. It kept you alive and served a purpose. The second is to not try to cover the raw nerve with a bandage by consuming alcohol or self medication. The third is to learn to ground yourself, practice mindful breathing and learn to catch your triggers before you act out instinctually. Become mindful of your warrior state of being, acknowledge and value it as a tool and learn when to pick it up and when to set it down through practice and mindful effort. The best way to regrow receptors is through support and human contact with caring compassionate people and dogs. Dogs will show you how to be gentle, compassionate and get you out of fixated mindsets by having to care and nurture another living being. Reduce stress, find a release. Hunt, fish, shoot competitively, find a partner who you can trust and talk with. Allow yourself to be honest with your state, acknowledge and accept where you are and figure out a plan to march yourself out of the war in your head and into one of self acceptance, healing and growth. It takes a tough man to face his demons. Those that do can go on fighting for their brothers in arms by providing support and making sure no man is left behind. You are not alone. God Almighty is with you. Reach out and ask for help. God bless our soldiers, every last one of you!

The amount of meds he was taking alone could mess you up... So much respect

You see struggle in he's eyes even when he speak about most normal things for us... This is what war does to people, it makes a machine that cant find he's own place in any other place then war... My grandfather's survived WW2, they could not sleep sometimes for 5/10 days, no drinking no eating, always having a weapon next to him, waking up middle of night screaming, crying everything at the same time... horrible... they could not find peace anywhere... i do not wish PTSD to even my worst enemy... Sir thank you for telling your story to us, could not ask for more motivation at the start of 2021. Thank you for your servise Sir ! God bless you.

Amazing. My dad was a Battalion Sergeant Major in the Special Forces. He was my step father but he raised me as his own, and that is who I call dad. He often took the role of two parents because my mother was ill and struggled severely in many ways, often gone for most of the time. Jimmy Hale was his name. He has since passed away and I will forever miss him and owe him my life. He was the most impactful family member I have ever had. I only wish that I had spent more time getting to know him before he passed away. He had a purple heart due to two serious injuries in his upper thigh. He continued to serve after his injuries for a while. I believe he retired when he was around 58-60. He was also a registered nurse back here in the states. If there is anyone I admire and strive to be like, it's my dad. Rest in peace to all of those lost in battle who struggled severely with PTSD and other mental health issues. You are truly adored and deserve so much more praise and recognition than what you get.

My youngest brother was a 2/75 Ranger for 7 years and has also struggled with ptsd.

No one understand the pain until they've been through it.

The music definitely isn’t helping but I can feel this mans pain through the laughs he’s using to keep from crying.

😭 this poor guy. He clearly has been through hell and back. I'm glad he made it through.

Every time I watch such a video my tics, my shakes, my tears, they don’t take long to appear. I know watching them, and this video especially, will take me out of the game for the next 30mins but I need to. When I see ANYONE brave enough to tell their story to the world: military, emergency services, civilians, when I see such bravery it makes me feel proud. Not for my diagnosis but there are those out there brave enough to make people aware and to demystify this curse. And that is my word for it, my curse, no one else’s. 15yrs. 15yrs of ego, male bravado and a fear of showing weakness. 15yrs of avoiding my feelings, of knowingly ignoring family and friends advice…and Karma brought all of it back at once. Everyones experience is justified. There’s no comparing who felt what the most. Suffering is suffering. 6 months on, and I am 1000% better than I was when my life instantly exploded. I still suffer anxiety but thankfully not enough to keep me back. There have been occasions where anger seemed to possess me and again, if not for family and friends things would be different from what they are now. I apologise for ranting but please, if you are suffering, if family and friends are vocally concerned, even if you think yourself something isn’t right but you don’t want to say anything PLEASE SEEK HELP - YOU DESERVE IT. I am but a faceless commenter; apart from my immediate family and a few very close friends I don’t talk about this. I’m not brave enough like my brothers in these videos. But if you’re reading this and you know…you think…even if you just wonder if you may have something going on up in your head please go and talk to someone. I am living proof of what not to do. My marriage is being held together by the love of my wife, my teenage daughter has witnessed her dad cowering in the corner of her bedroom crying but also seen him turn into a violent monsters. And close friends, who saved me from ending it…I thank them by putting them through all this. Your family and friends deserve so much better. YOU deserve so much better, and it will be better if you seek help, chat with your closest ones, even call a charity. That Green Beret had the courage to tell his story to the world, it gave me the courage to write this to anyone that needs to read it. You’re not alone, ever. We all got your back.

My father Inlaw was my confidant but he has passed away, so now I suffer because I have nobody to talk too. I wasn’t in the Military but I did my time of 23 years in the Fire Service, never been shot at but had to deal with everything from babies to seniors with so much carnage day in and day out, I retired in 2013. It didn’t effect me until about a year after leaving that I started to not sleep, emotional about some if the simplest things even the tv I will tear up very very easy, I was on oxycodone for a few years from Cancer so when they took me off then I couldn’t mask it anymore so now I have to deal with my feelings the best I can. What keeps me going is my three little Grand Babies I feel I have to be around to protect them especially in today’s world. So for the moment I have been able to cope enough to get by but my thoughts are when they grow to a point I am no longer needed then what. I guess time will tell. My Prayers are with you Brother and God Bless You and all that serve Our Great Nation abroad and at home. America is indebted to them all.

Firstly, thank you for your service. I’ve never served in the military; but, PTSD really hit home for me today. A really good friend of mine committed suicide this morning by shooting himself in the head. I’m basically speechless. He just had re-upped in the National Guard again and moved to a new town with his wife for a new auto mechanic job. He was deployed to Qatar with the National Guard on his last tour a couple years ago. I just never saw any signs. I just saw him a couple weeks ago. He was my room mate for a couple years. When I got the call from a friend who is an army vet, he said he knew of some issues and tried to reach out to him for some help. I’m just numb and sad. Met with a bunch of buds tonight to remember and celebrate his life. It’s just surreal.

I needed this. Thanks brother. Just getting started back with the VA. I hit rock bottom recently. Still dont understand it. But I know that I am not right.

Keep these videos coming. Their voice and stories need to be heard.

Listen to The Spirit not the ego... Regardless of what his beliefs are, this man shows enormous strength by turning away from his ego. Humility is a sign of great strength. ...

Thank you so much for your service sir hope everything get better for all our vets and active service members 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Respect Brother. Takes a brave man to not only go to war, but to come home and be able to talk about it, and also admit that they need help

I always watch these people sharing their post combat battles with the demons. We forget about the cost to our soldiers too easily. These scars are deep and these men and woman need our empathy and the support they ask for 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

ALL FACTS, Ive been out for 7 years and i still cant sleep at night cause im on guard waiting for it to jump off... and for 7 years nothing has threaten and i still find myself prepare for a tic.... watching this scares me cause i know im not crazy cause he describe exactly what i go thru...how did you get out of that mood or are you still like that and jus know how to deal with it. the family im around still get mad when i flip out time to time cause they have no understanding so i dont feel right to talk to any of them. i feel im boxed in in sure its just the ptsd.... Life is tough living with this... and yes ive done everything from some kind of shock therapy to counseling and nothing worked. im on 100% va disability cause me and people dont get along.... id give it all back if i could just get back to how i was before the army. So i understand battle!!

"i was still perceiving all threats as life threatening" ... thank you so much for sharing your story

I haven’t found the help yet and I’m chasing that rabbit hole and I can’t find a way out. When he talked about that really bad night, I know exactly what he’s talking about ...

Active Duty Sailor Checking In...Thank You For Your Service🇺🇸**we go through things that only we can understand

Very often the road to recovery is to give to others. To take care of people is most often than not to take care of yourself. I am happy he managed to get some mental relief and mostly to give to others what he found. Those guys do a difficult job few of us can do.

Thank you for what you did for our country. True American hero.

Thank you for your service and transparency! Love you brah

Thanks for doing the video, can't explain how good it was to see Alan open up and share about the struggle.

Nothing but love!

Thank you guys. More of these stories need to be shared. Very appreciative to hear this.

Thank you.

Thanks bro I just needed that. I'm getting help

Completely understand where this warrior is coming from…As a 9yr USMC Vet (Jan/98-Jan/07), being alert and vigilant is a constant!

Thank you so much hope as the next generation of sf we make you proud !

Thank you. The transition is hard. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for sharing, Alan, and we are grateful for your service.

Thanks for sharing my brother much love 🤟

Thank you for your service, Sir 🙏🏽🇺🇲

Thank you Alan! For your service for this Country on and off the mats!

Thank you for your service

Thank you for sharing your story. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to recognize and follow through with the need for help, but to talk about it publicly is special.

You’re a good man. Thank you 🙏🇺🇸❤️

Happy Veterans Day to everyone. It's hard out here trying to keep pushing after hitting that low. Never give in to your demons.

Never give up man I myself struggle with ptsd I wish you the best in recovery though not everyday is beautiful we make the best outta the worst.

Thank you for your service to our great country , never.forgotten

I was extreemily close to my brother Bobby was adopted into our family as an infant. He served in Nam and came back in the 70's. I watched him deal with PTSD but was there for him as a brother. He taught me to be tough growing up and taught me how to use and shoot guns. Bobby passed away in 2008 on Mothers day. Do not wish to share more about him in writing txt. Bobby was a decorated hero for bravery. We played alot of sports together. Like I said I miss my brother alot.

Man i love how you told your story. I would love to sit down one day with a guy like you. I grew up in the war as a child never fought. But i always felt like there so much unresolved mental things i never have got no answers.

Thank you for doing this video. Both subject and video grapher

great to hear you speak. clearly there are other military like you struggling in the same way, and police officers as well. thanks for your honesty.

Thank you sir for your service. As well as all of you who serve/served. 🇺🇸

Thank you, Brother.

Thank you for your service and I am truly sorry you had to suffer in silence or own your own at all! Thank you 🙏🇺🇸

Thank you for your service Men

This guys is a true hero

Al, great to see you making big things happen! I went through a nasty period of depression, addiction, etc., and if it wasn't for people smarter than me forcing my hand to get help, I can honestly say I wouldn't be here today. Keep it going Brother. DOL CT sends.

His honesty about his level of training(elite soldier)and still humbly express this was new to me is very impressive 👏

Can you guys get more videos out like this cause it’s clearly helping ppl and the nice to hear what ppl have gone through

Thank you sir. Buy you a beer in west palm....all day.

THANK YOU!!! 💪

This man is true to his core,like I am to mine. Damn man... Struggle is real for sure.

Brother, thank you for sharing your story. Remember you are never alone. Semper Fi - USMC

I need to go pay my respects to this warrior since we both live and work in the DFW. I could never relate to you but I've fought my own battles and demons so that makes us brethren in that aspect. May God give all the men and women out there suffering from their demons, some solace and some peace. Peace is something I cherish so highly.

Thanks for sharing your experiences brother.

Thankyou for stepping forwardand being honest,, it and demonstrating that a legendary warrior even needed help. I went to weekly therapy for 2 years straight by my own choice because I have 3 angels daughters as. Single dad an fi had to fix myself to not EVER have my babies sitting in bed at night in tears wondering why I chose to leave them. THAT thought has changed everything.

one hell of a story! thanks for your service and for sharing your troubles. rock on brotha!

I had a good conversation today with a man I met at work. I've gotten alot off of my chest. Very good guy. Helped out alot

My uncle on my dad's side was drafted into the Vietnam war. He was a man who hated violence (not a Hippie though). He wanted to be a conscientious observer, which he got to do for a time as a chopper gunner. Instead of aiming, he chose to miss his shots. However, on one mission his chopper got shot down. His crew was killed and the Vietcong were closing in on him. All he had was his M16, sidearm, and knife. He left the jungle that day with empty guns and a bloody knife. He had a confirmed kill count of (I forgot the exact amount) 21-23. A few he had to kill in hand-to-hand combat. He has never been the same since.

Thank you sir. It really helped.

So much respect ! 👍🇬🇧✌️

Guy is an absolute Hero.

Thank you for your service brother. The army retrained your mind. It is a process to retrain your mind to be what people call "normal" and be at peace. That is all we desire as humans on this earth. Peace of mind. Keep moving and you are making the world a better place.

HERO. Great respect,

Don't forget who u are , don't loose your self,I have so much respect for you and people like my dad an gunny Yates.Do things like fishing , and things to make you happy .I hope you the best in life ,my hats of to u._ girl from Jacksonville NC .

Thank you for serving 🇺🇸🇺🇸✝️✝️

Thank you

Stay OFF the Booze Brother...I’ve been dealing with The Chit since Dec 4 1968 from My Time across the Pond...Godspeed too Yah 👍🇺🇸

GOD BLESS YOU SIR

Thank you for yourl service sir

thank you for sharing

You're not alone brother, just keep in the fight.

Inspirational!

I didn't realize how young you are, you are a marine, I here and see your demeanor, can't miss a breed of all your own. God bless you young brother, non of my families will speak of such. You are brave for facing and confronting your monsters, I'm still waiting for family to confront their own demons. But in the meantime I can still help others.

Like I've said before on another video, I give mad props to all the brothers and sisters who can talk about their story. Im struggling to the point Im having trouble leaving my house. Hope my military familys doin alright

This man deserves all the help and support available. He fought for his country and it breaks my heart he deals with this daily. You are an example of a fighter and such a brave and courageous man. I’m British but I want to thank you for fighting for freedom and Liberty. God bless you sir. ✌🏾 & ❤️ XOXO

I can completely relate.

I would like to start off saying that I am PROUD of u for being strong enough to admit u have a problem!! And thank u for serving for us and our country. It is truly not fair what our soldiers have to endure when they come home bc they sacrificed themselves for us. My Father is a Vietnam Vet, part of the Big Red 1, who just came to terms with his PTSD last year, and we were told that they themselves don’t notice there is a problem. I have lived with this issue for well over 45 years, so I understand, but would not change a thing about my Father or what he did for this country. I thank u all!

True hero!

God bless you and yours. Thank you for your service.🇺🇲

Great Shit! God Bless Brother!

Sad stories , Rest In Peace brother

Excellent!

Adderall and ambien can really mess you up. I know he was doing the best he could and I'm glad he saw the way out of that cycle. Seems like a great guy

Thank you for your service from a behalf of a vietnam era vet

Makes you feel like every threat, is life threatening ... . You got this man, you’re not alone.

Alan you are special ❤️