drastic shifts

new paradigms for how we transition our soldiers home Tiany CarlsonReich, Spring 2012new paradigms for how we transition our soldiers home Tiany CarlsonReich, Spring 2012

new paradigms for how we transition our soldiers home Tiany CarlsonReich, Spring 2012



I grew up in a time and place of relative peace and prosperity. But directed all around me were images of war- past, present, and future- designed for capitalistic consumption. And, at a young age, I became seduced by the heroic narrative of war- of sacrifice, both on the battlefield and at home. Of people, for the ideals of peace, freedom, and justice, laying down their lives. What no one ever told me is that war is more complicated than this, and the more I really investigated the history of conflict, the more muddled the motives, ethics, and decisions made by those involved. And now, as this decades Iraq and Afghanistan wars have proceeded, I have seen in person that for many soldiers the return home is not smooth. And how could it be? Men and women who have seen, at such a young age, so much death... and now they are expected to forget the special knowledge that they have to offer, and be like everyone else. This kind of transition requires care and devotion, which our government certainly has the resources for, but in a time of economic constraint, seems unwilling to offer. As a citizen, I have endeavored to, with care and devotion, ask questions and connect dots. As an architecture student, I have compiled this knowledge, and produced a design which addresses the key concerns I discovered, and embodies spaces where self reflection occurs, and healing begins. I am forever grateful for the veterans, service members, and loved ones of service members who have taken time out of their lives to talk with me. This work is for them.

Introduction This is War.

Paradigm 1 A soldier is inevitably changed by war.

Paradigm 2 The military must train soldiers for life before and after war.

Paradigm 3 PTSD and war trauma are identity disorders.

Paradigm 4 Psychological healing is a multi-scaled collaborative process.

Paradigm 5 Decommissioned military sites can be government assets.

Conclusion Can it be done?

Re:Grounding Implementing the ideas.

Notes

Selected References

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INDEX:

The Grand Myth of War

Can It Be Done?


Can It Be Done?

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I was engaged in killing and maybe being killed. I felt responsible for the lives and deaths of my companions. I was struggling with a situation approaching the sacred in its terror and contact with the infinite... I needed help with the existential terror of my own death and responsibility for the death of others, enemies and friends... I needed a spiritual guide.

-Karl Marlantes, Retired Marine First Lieutenant1


Can It Be Done?

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Revolutionary War

Civil War

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Korean War

Gulf WarIraqi &AfghanWars

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War of 1812

Spanish-American War

Mexican War

Conscription Line

Vietnam War

At Right: A visual compilation of the Military Participation Ratio (MPR) from 1776 to present5. Vertical measure is percentage of the population currently participating in the military. Horizontal is years. Two drastic shifts can be noted, one post-WWII, when a standing army develops, and another when the conscription ends, and the military becomes a completely voluntary force.

THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN WARThere was a point in human history where, although war

was present, massive destruction was not the aim. Instead, conflict typically reflected the need for self protection; for one side, the desire to enlarge territory to provide more plentiful hunting grounds, for the other, the necessity of protecting the community. This type of war, seen especially in tribal societies, involved few casualties, and focused primarily on ideals of pride and courage. This was the territory of warrior initiation, along with its multitude of spiritual implications.2

As time progressed, politics and power came to be the primary justification for initiating war. As early on as the ancient Greeks, massive battles indicate shifting values and increased death.3 And with the accelerated speed of technological development, from cavalry warfare to tanks, to projectiles- arrows, then bullets, then bombs, to the advent of the military plane and metal-clad war ships, the speed and efficacy of killing has accelerated as well.

Simultaneously, these men and women have moved farther and farther from the face of war itself. In WWII, men flew far above the cities they destroyed. In Vietnam, sailors on Naval Ships shot mortars at invisible targets, miles away. And now, drones can keep our soldiers completely out of harms way, staring only at a screen.4 While this is, of course, a significant development, it can be damaging in other ways. These soldiers are having their actions completely divorced from their consequences, and the ethical questions that are so important for them to face.

For those on the ground, this means that superiors and peers cannot fully understand the context for actions, nor the emotional turmoil that comes with it. This is only heightened by the fact that military participation during war time has dropped to 1%, which is the size of our standing Army during peace. Fewer people at home ever see the true costs of fighting a war.

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MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN US HISTORY

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PORTLAND, OR

SACRAMENTO, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

PHOENIX, AZ DENVER, CO DALLAS, TX KANSAS CITY, MO NEW ORLEANS, LA CHARLOTTE, SC

Percentage of the city deployed

Percentage that develop PTSD

COLUMBUS, OH

NEW YORK CITY, NY

CHICAGO, ILPopulation: 566,200

Population: 466,700

Population: 1,593,700


Population: 610,300 Population: 1,299,500 Population: 482,300 Population: 704,422Population: 354,900

Population: 769,300



77% deployed

15% with PTSD

IF OUR SOLDIERS WERE A CITY 6

PORTLAND, OR

SACRAMENTO, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

PHOENIX, AZ DENVER, CO DALLAS, TX KANSAS CITY, MO NEW ORLEANS, LA CHARLOTTE, SC

Percentage of the city deployed

Percentage that develop PTSD

COLUMBUS, OH

NEW YORK CITY, NY

CHICAGO, ILPopulation: 566,200

Population: 466,700



Population: 610,300 Population: 1,299,500 Population: 482,300 Population: 704,422Population: 354,900

Population: 769,300



77% deployed

15% with PTSD

Those we send to fight our wars represent a very particular segment of the population. 92% of them are high school graduates or have their GED, but less that 7% have any further education, making them less educated than the typical American7.

Less that 2.5% fall below the poverty line, and only 3.5% come from households earning over $100,000 annually, meaning that the burden for service falls squarely on the shoulders of the middle class8.

Its important to keep in mind that 1% of the US population is still an incredibly large figure. 2.2 million men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan9, which is over half the size of the population of Los Angeles!

And, as the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan have continued, studies of returning troops have indicated that 20% of all soldiers there will return with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder10, which amounts to 440,000 people.

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DEMOGRAPHICS

At Left: An original graphic, which explores what impact the 2.2 million deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and 440,000 soldiers with PTSD would have, if they all originated in one city. The circles indicates percentages. For example, one quarter of New York City would have been deployed, and nearly the entire population of, Sacramento, would be diagnosed with a serious mental disorder.

IF OUR SOLDIERS WERE A CITY

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Since early humanity, the power of war trauma on the psyche has been understood. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote of a soldier who, after watching his friend die, became blind without any physical reason for it.

In the 1600s, a doctor witnessed soldiers with symptoms of melancholy, insomnia and anxiety, and termed it nostalgia. During WWI, soldiers were said to get shell shock, and in 1980, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder became a legitimate mental disorder according to the psychiatric community11.

While symptoms may differ relative to circumstances and the technology of a conflict, war trauma is an inevitable cost of waging a war.

Today the face of trauma is best epitomized in the story of the Marlboro Man, Marine James Blake Miller, who won the hearts of nation after, tired from fighting in Fallujah, he was photographed and made the covers of papers all over America. He was seen as a hero, but when he returned home, he admitted to having PTSD. The lesson: even the heroic are not spared12.

For some people, certain aspects of a traumatic event, especially parts that are very important or emotionally charged may be difficult to recall. This is considered a coping mechanism.

MEMORY LOSS

Feeling disconnected to others is very common, as is a perceived inability to have positive emotions, such as love. Some people develop a sense that they have no future to look forward to.

EMOTIONALNUMBNESS

FLASHBACKS

By way of distressing recollections or dreams, and flashbacks, which create the impression that an event is reoccuring, many people relive their trauma on a daily basis.

VOLATILEEMOTIONS

Many people have difficulty controlling their anger, and claim that they have developed a short fuse. They also have more difficulty concentrating than before the event.

HYPERVIGILANCE

Long afterwards, some people may still feel hyper-aroused due to a traumatic event, and constantly prepare for impending danger. This increases stress and even heart rate.

Due maybe partially to flashbacks and nightmares, many people have difficulty getting to sleep, or staying asleep afterwards. They may feel restless or agitated during the day and at night.

INSOMNIA

SYMPTOMS OF PTSD

At right: The Marlboro Man, trying to rest in Fallujah (Sinco) Above: 6 common symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress

A HISTORY OF TRAUMA

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Due in large part to the cries of Vietnam Veterans all over the country, culminating in the classification of PTSD as a mental disorder under the DSMV III and the creation of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., war trauma has begun to have a place in the American world view. Today, as soldiers return from the Middle East, we will again be confronted with a segment of the population who need support and understanding14.

In spite of this, the military establishment has been relatively ineffective in helping veterans to process psychological trauma, and the political focus on government spending and the national debt has only exacerbated the problem. Congress is now contemplating cutting VA services and benefits to reduce military spending15, ignoring the fact that early intervention and support structures are much more effective and economically viable treatments for PTSD than medical and psychiatric care after acute onset.16

As with many things, the only way changes will be made at the government level is through public pressure, and this only develops out of public awareness of a problem. For too long the media and our consumer culture have been complicit in keeping our military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan out of the American mind17. At the same time, we, as citizens, have been too easily convinced that continuing to shop and hug our children is akin to the sacrifices made by civilians on the home front in past war efforts18.

Veteran issues are not only relevant to veterans. As a nation, we are responsible for what soldiers do at war. This is why protesting when we do not agree is patriotic. As a community, we must acknowledge that we are also responsible for aiding veterans after war, because we caused their problems in the first place.

OUR CHALLENGES THEIR CHALLENGES

For the past 2 years, more soldiers have killed themselves than were killed in combat. Rates are so high that an estimated 18 veterans will commit suicide every day.

SUICIDE

The exact number of homeless veterans at any one time are unclear, and not closely tracked by the government. However, in San Diego county alone, estimates are near 100,000 people.

HOMELESSNESS

Many veterans, in spite of showing leadership and skill at war, have difficulty finding work when they return state-side. Currently, 20% of veterans between the ages of 18 - 24 are jobless.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Understandably, war is hard on relationships, and Dear John letters are common. Since our current conflicts began, divorce rates among military personnel have increased by 50%.

FAMILY INSTABILITY

A common form of self-medication for veterans has always been substance abuse, be it through alcohol, or other drugs. Vietnam veterans have a rate of abuse 50% higher than the general public.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Aside from the high incidence of PTSD, veterans suffer from higher rates of depression than the general public, and many suffer from the very particular affects of Traumatic Brain Injuries.

MENTALILLNESS

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At left: Some of the most prevalent challenges that veterans face in the United States, along with associated facts and statistics.

The primary task of my project is to reconcile all of the opposing forces and challenges that come along with healing returning soldiers, because I believe that in contradiction can be found strength and inner resonance. My perspective is wholistic, addressing the needs of servicemen, their families, and the community. Because this is not their problem, but rather our, national, problem.

My goal is to design a set of spaces specific to veterans and their particular needs that facilitates personal growth and mental healing, encourages group connection and fortitude, invites families to participate in the process, and asks the community to reinvest in the men and women that fight for them. In line with my own philosophy that architecture has more to offer both spiritually and psychologically than mere aesthetics, I endeavor to produce a design that could actively contribute to mental and physical health, and help those who inhabit them to see themselves and the world with slightly different eyes.

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The militarys job is to train soldiers for the rigors of war.The military must train soldiers for life before and after war.

PTSD and war trauma are anxiety disorders.PTSD and war trauma are identity disorders.

Psychological healing is the task of therapist and patient.Psychological healing is a multi-scaled collaborative process.

Decomissioned military sites are useless liabilities.Decomissioned military sites can be government assets.

A soldier should return home as the same person who left. A soldier is inevitably changed by war.











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Long after my shooting war ended, the battle with my conscience continued. Thats a battle Ive come to recognize as common to the combat experience and the essential reason that the combat soldier returns a different person... We come home and reside in familiar surroundings with familiar people but it is much harder to find the familiar version of ourselves.

-Stephen T. Banko III, Retired Army Sergeant23

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DIED DURING DEPLOYMENT

SOUGHT PTSD/DEPRESSION TREATMENT

DISPLAYED PTSD/DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS

EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT TRAUMATIC EVENT

DID NOT EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA

WAS WOUNDED PHYSICALLY

DEATH AND TRAUMA PER 1,000 TROOPS IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTANINCIDENCE OF TRAUMA AT WAR 24







DEATH AND TRAUMA PER 1,000 TROOPS IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN







DEATH AND TRAUMA PER 1,000 TROOPS IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN

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Towards the end of WWII, psychiatric casualties, meaning soldiers who are no longer able to function due to mental or emotional strain, became an increasing problem for the military. At one point, they were being discharged from the U.S. Army faster than new recruits could be drafted it.

As a result, doctors Swank and Marchand conducted a study of US Army combatants on the beaches of Normandy. There results, published in 1946, concluded that after 60 days of continuous combat, 98% of surviving soldiers had become psychiatric casualties. The other 2% were identified as psychopathic personalities. Meaning that there is something about continuous, inescapable combat which will drive 98% of all men insane, and the other 2% were crazy when they got there. 25

In both Vietnam and our current conflicts in the Middle East, combat cannot be defined by distinguishable fronts and rear zones. Instead, there is the continuous threat of attack, even in areas considered secure26. This is psychologically draining, and the intense physical and mental awareness required cannot be sustained indefinitely.

In light of this, it seems obvious that psychological problems and traumatic stress would be high among soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While over 6,300 men and women have lost their lives in those conflicts27, they reflect a surprisingly small percentage of all soldiers deployed. In fact, they represent less than .03% of the total force, or less than 3 in 1,000.

This is compared to the 31% of soldiers who come back with at least one diagnosable mental illness, 2/3 of them with either PTSD or major depression28. But even this significant figure ignores the fact that a person need not have a mental illness to be in some way traumatized by war.

In a 2008, the RAND Corporation produced a study which expressed the incidence of specific traumatic experiences for soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan. It was found that:

50% had a friend be killed or seriously injured.

45% saw dead or seriously injured noncombatants.

45% witnessed an event that resulted in serious injury or death.

25% were physically moved or knocked over by an explosion.

12% were injured, and required hospitalization.

10% engaged in direct hand-to-hand combat with an enemy combatant.

5% felt responsible for the death of a civilian.At left: Impact per thousand soldiers. A visual representation of the incidence of death, PTSD and depression, and trauma among soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each square represents 1 soldier in every 1,000.

PURIFICATION RITUAL

WARRIOR PURIFICATION RITUAL

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1 HOOPONOPONO, HAWAII An indigenous forgiveness ritual which involves letting go of resentment and negative emotions.

2 SMUDGING, OJIBWA NATION A ceremonial burning of sacred herbs to remove bad feelings, negative thoughts, and evil spirits.

3 SWEAT LODGE, NAVAJO NATION Warriors- both before and after battle sit in darkness and extreme heat and sweat out their impurities.

4 THE LONG MARCH HOME, USA The march was a result of slow transportation, which created a natural decompression period for soldiers.

5 AYAHUASCA CEREMONY, PERU Practiced by tribal shaman, it revolves around hallucinogenic medicine believed to purge evil spirits from the body.

6 HEALING CEREMONY, SIERRA LEONE Healers perform rebirth rituals, taking girl soldiers into the bush, washing them, and return them home as new.

7 CLEANSING RITUAL, MOZAMBIQUE Soldiers are isolated to reenact their deeds for a healer and undergo a medicinal sweat before they return home.

8 RASH HASHANAH, ISRAEL A time for forgiveness, it includes a call to repentance, apologizing for misdeeds, and a symbolic casting off of sins.

9 CEREMONIAL BATH, ANCIENT ROME The Roman Legions were taken to the Vestal Virgins who bathed them in a symbolic purging of the corruptions of war.

10 PENANCE, MEDIEVAL EUROPE Upon returning from the Crusades, knights were sent to do penance, and relieve themselves of guilt in the eyes of God.

11 SAUNA, FINLAND Sweating is said to remove evil from the body, and a folk tale indicates that use of the sauna keeps one out of hell.

12 GANGES BATHING, INDIA For Hindus, the Ganges River is considered sacred. Bathing in the river is thought to wash away sins and improve karma.

13 FUSATSU, CHINA A Zen Buddhist ceremony, it involves atonement and renewal of vows to return balance and goodness to practitioners.

14 SAITO HOMA FIRE RITUAL, JAPAN The ritual involves burning blessings to cleanse human suffering, generates harmony, and opens our eyes to truth.

15 SACRIFICE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Warriors perform an animal sacrifice to their ancestors as compensation for killing other people during war.

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CLEANSING RITUALS- A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

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A key aspect of Jungian psychology is the presents of universal human constructs, called archetypes. They are characters, events, or stories that span across time and space. Good examples include the Mother Goddess, or the global flood. They are considered important in that they tell us something about the nature of humanity, irrespective of culture or circumstance.

A well known archetype is the warrior. A class of fighters, who have trained and follow a specific set of moral guidelines exist in almost every culture the world over. These warriors face obligations specific to their class, such as killing and injuring other humans29.

Modern America, too, has its own version of this ancient ritual. Known commonly as The Long March Home, it was not actually a symbolic or mythical ritual, but rather a simple, but effective, result of circumstance.

Since at least the period after the Civil War, the US has fought its wars far from home. Because of the slow-moving transportation technology of these times, (marching, trains, and ships were most among the most common) it could take months to return home from a combat zone.30

During this time, soldiers were

As the map on the preceding page indicates, the cleansing ritual is a universal solution to the guilt and pain that warriors face. Of course, only some of these rituals are specifically for healing warriors. Some of them, such as Rash Hashanah, apply to society in general, rather than just soldiers.

This should not, however, be looked at as a weakness of the archetypal mindset. Rather, it shows that across various times, locations, and contexts, the purification ritual is seen as a valid form of symbolic (and therefore spiritual) atonement.

The wide applicability of these rituals make them a perfect framework by which to think of modern healing.

living with other men who had faced similar challenges, difficulties, and tragedies as them. These trips can be seen as one large decompression period, when soldiers would participate in informal group therapy31, reflect on their experience, and prepare mentally to go back to civilian life.

The widespread use of airplanes as a method of transporting troops, primarily after WWII, brought an end to this important process, and the healing that came with it.

TRIBAL KNOWLEDGE

THE LONG MARCH HOME

At right: Soldiers home from the European Front on the super transport ship, General W.P. Richardson (Camerano)


Can It Be Done?






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My government spent over $50,000 and many months to train me for Viet Nam, but not a penny or a day to help me come home. How was I supposed to act civilized after being trained to beat and brutalize and then use that training against other Americans? After having watched my buddies get blown up? It takes a lot more time, effort, and money to recover from that than it does to turn a man into a beast who can behave like I did.

-Doug, Retired Military Policeman32

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Instead we train...

... so a soldier returns safely

Basic Training & AIT

Civilian Life

Civilian Life

Combat

We must train again...

... so a soldier stays healthy

Civilian TrainingProgram

Civilian Life


Civilian Life

Combat

...because physical success is uncertain

Civilian Life

Combat ?

We wouldnt do this...

... we ignore long-term mental success


Civilian Life

Civilian Life

Combat

But the problem is...

?

Since Americas Army became a professional, all volunteer force, its men and women have been schooled in a technologically advanced manner, with technologically advanced weaponry33. But it is not just America that intensely trains its soldiers. From the Spartans to the Plains Indians, it was an immense honor, requiring initiation after proving ones worth, to be considered among the warrior class34.

Today, those who join our armed forces participate in Basic Training to learn the key skills for survival in combat, and the principles and ethics which define the US military.

After, soldiers may move on to more advanced skills through participation in other programs, such as Advanced Infantry Training (AIT), Airbourne School, or Ranger School.

Key aspects of Basic Training include:

indoctrination of core military values, such as loyalty, duty, honor, integrity, and courage

physical fitness training

weaponry training and qualification

high stress exercises which test mental and physical strength, and promote group strength35

At left: A breakdown of the logic behind the input of civilians and output of soldiers in the U.S. military. Notice the last line, which represents our current practices, and the conflict created by sending a soldier directly back into the realm of civilian life.Below: Marines on graduation day at Officer Candidacy School (crowdive)

MILITARY TRAINING

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Instead we train...

... so a soldier returns safely


Civilian Life

Civilian Life

Combat

We must train again...

... so a soldier stays healthy

Civilian TrainingProgram

Civilian Life


Civilian Life

Combat

...because physical success is uncertain

Civilian Life

Combat ?

We wouldnt do this...

... we ignore long-term mental success


Civilian Life

Civilian Life

Combat

But the problem is...

?

CIVILIAN TRAINING

While it may seem like simple common sense to have a program in place which mediates the combat zone and the civilian world for the soldier, such is not now the case. While the military does not simply return a soldier straight from battle to his home- the process that does exist is highly ineffective.

Shipping soldiers out of combat, like items in a factory, through huge institutional buildings on desolate and uninviting sites in places like Kuwait (which are visually similar to the battlefield, and therefore stressful) as quickly as possible is not a good way to prevent suicide or reduce risky behaviors36.

What soldiers really need is some down time, in a place that is calm, quiet, and beautiful. Time to think, time to prepare, and time to learn how to relax.

The program I am proposing would take place closer to home, ideally in the soldiers community, on a site that invites nature in and encourages them to use their time in identity building and healing. It would be holistic in nature, and practitioners of all kinds would support soldiers in their individualized methods for gaining civilian skills and health, and eventually transitioning back to civilian life.

Key aspects of Civilian Training include:

voluntary, perhaps incentivized by advancing end of term of service (ETS) by an amount equal to participation in the program37

confidential, and unrelated to service records38

confronting the experiences of war through group work and intrapersonal exploration

maintaining group cohesion and support while independently strengthening personal identity

learning key civilian skills that will help further education or employment opportunities

working to improve the camp and the surrounding environment for veteran and community use

Above: The completed input/output flow diagram, from civilian to soldier to civilian again. Notice that an active process helps mitigate the soldiers return to civilian life, removing a situation which causes unnecessary stress.At right: 6 not-for-profit programs across the nation that seek to help veterans.

The inaugural program of Clear Path for Veterans, which pairs a veteran who has PTSD or other trauma with a specially chosen shelter dog, so that they can help heal each other.

DOGS2VETS

A program in the San Diego area that helps homeless veterans recover from substance abuse, as well as receive the necessary help and healing to find a steady job and safe home.

VETERANS VILLAGE OF SAN DIEGO

RIDE 2 RECOVERY

A 7 day cycling trip across the California coast for veterans who have sustained physical and mental trauma while deployed. It helps benefit other programs which heal through cycling.

THE COMING HOME

PROJECT

A wholistic, multi-dimensional program, composed of retreats and community networks, which provides free services, and aims to heal veterans, their families, and caregivers.

OPERATION PROPER EXIT

A program of the Troops First Foundation, which lets soldiers return to forward operating bases in the Middle East, see the progress being made, and leave on their own terms.

A biannual event which brings veterans and their families to the mountains to participate in outdoor activities, promoting mental and physical health.

VAIL VETERANS PROGRAM

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A NATION OF CAREArmy Vice Chief of Staff, General Peter Chiarelli,

recently said that although the military must make changes to better understand and accept psychological injury as a valid result of combat, it is the community that must take the lead. They are, he explains, better suited than the federal government to guide returning soldiers to local health services and provide educational and job opportunities39.

It is, of course, true that a local communities have the imbedded knowledge of individual needs and conditions that help to make specific programs thrive in their neighborhoods. In fact, all over the country, a wide range of private not-for-profit groups do just that. A small sampling is listed below.

However, to say that the federal government and the military do not have the resources nor tools to solve this problem ignored two key facets of the issue.

First, as of now, with local programs, there is no streamlined process for seeking help. Most are small-scale and local, and there is no national database to facilitate finding them. Secondly, by suggesting that the community is simply better able to handle veteran care, the government is passing the buck. While the community must be involved, the government is best suited to take the lead and organize the process. As a nation, we have the resources to do so if we wish to allocate them.

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Can It Be Done?











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PTSD is a name drained of both poetry and blame... it is a disorder of warriors, not men and women who were weak and cowardly but who followed orders and who at a young age put their feelings aside and performed unimaginable tasks PTSD is a disorder of a good warrior.

-Anonymous Vietnam Veteran46

Aside from a shallow post-deployment survey, veterans must seek help on their own, and in fact, frequently avoid it due to fear of stigma or professional repercussions.

INDIVIDUAL INITIATED

As check-ups or are not mandated by the VA, veterans frequently only seek help after a significant problem has arisen, forcing the focus to be on fixing a problem rather than preventing it.

REMEDIAL APPROACH

NO MORAL JUDGEMENTS

Doctors and therapists are trained to not make moral judgements relative to their patients, and often will steer a conversation away from issues dealing with ethical implications or questions.

CURE-ALL DRUGS

Given a situation of low funding and an ideology of neurochemical imbalance, psychologists and doctors prescribe convenient pharmaceuticals to most issues that come in the door.

DEAL WITH SYMPTOMS NOT CAUSES

The root of traumatic stress is, rightly, trauma. But the fastest, most efficient way to treat veterans is to ignore the underlying cause and mask the immediately visible symptoms.

Without adequate funding or support for preventative care, doctors have no choice but to spend their time trying to solve current issues, and cannot question past problems or future risk.

FOCUS ON CURRENT AILMENTS

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THE ANXIETY PERSPECTIVE: WHAT WE DO NOWWhen Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was added

to the Third Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM III) in 1980, it was classified by the Psychiatric community as an Anxiety Disorder, primarily because it displayed symptoms similar to others in the category, such as General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder.

The problem is that, in terms of mental framework and treatment, a classification under the heading of Anxiety Disorder has a very specific connotation. It means, first and foremost, that the cause of the disorder is neurochemical48. The problem is either a physical brain dysfunction or a chemical imbalance- neither of which can be prevented.

Such problems are assumed to be genetic, which generally means that a the disorder can be seen in a

specific percentage of the population, irregardless of life circumstances. With PTSD of course, this is not the case. Almost always, the disorder is preempted by a very traumatic experience.

While it may seem insignificant that PTSD is classified one way or another- it still is what it is, right?- this issue is at the root of the problem. When you think of PTSD as genetic, no prevention is necessary, or even possible. When you think of it as neurochemical in nature, the only treatment is expensive but easy: pharmaceuticals, which mask the symptoms of trauma, but undermine the cause.

At left: A neuron under a microscope. Along with brain chemistry, neural function is said to be the cause of PTSD. (Kosik Lab)Below: Some of the consequences of viewing PTSD as an Anxiety Disorder.

49 51

52

50

It is important that military personnel not be punished or stigmatized for seeking help. Mandated visits can help, or even better- they could be incentivized to improve morale.

INDIVIDUAL INCENTIVE

If soldiers, and then veterans, had frequent and confidential check-ups, both mental and physical, issues could be addressed as they come up, lowering personal and family stress.

PREVENTATIVE APPROACH

EXPLORE MORAL ISSUES

The medical community must become accustomed to discussing the moral and ethical ambiguity of war as it effects veterans. These issues are of incredible importance in real healing.

INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT

Not every veteran experienced the same thing, and not every veteran has the same injuries Doctors must find the time and passion to treat each patient as an individual case.

ADDRESS CAUSE AND SYMPTOM

It is not enough to mask anxiety and anger. A doctor must approach the issue from both fronts, healing symptoms and also confronting the trauma at the root of the problem.

Ideally, specially trained doctors and therapists will address not just current problems, but also focus on past experiences as well as the challenges a veteran is facing far into the future.

PAST, CURRENT, FUTURE

THE IDENTITY PERSPECTIVE: WHAT WE NEED TO DO

33

There is, however, a more effective way to look at PTSD and war trauma- as an Identity Disorder. As opposed to the Anxiety category, Identity Disorders are not genetic, but rather directly connected to traumatic or stressful life events. For the average person, stress can trigger a defense mechanism, such as denial. But in excessively difficult circumstances, a more severe response may take place53.

An example of this is dissociation, which is essentially a psychological split between mind and body. Well known forms are dissociative amnesia, depersonalization disorder, and multiple personalities disorder54. In them, a traumatic experience causes the person to lose emotional and psychological connection within themselves or towards others.

When we think of PTSD in this way, there are many more options for how we treat it. For Identity Disorders, pharmaceuticals are only affective to treat symptoms, but the root of the problem is dealt with through therapy and personal growth. The aim is to facilitate identity development so that traumatic experiences can be effectively coped with.

This is important to understand. It means that on top of individualized care, time and space, which help build identity, are essential to healing. It means that architecture, a blend of time and space, has the opportunity to set the stage and help people heal.At left: The results of an IED (improvised explosive device) on an armored vehicle and its occupants (Avallone). In Identity Disorders, traumatic events are considered the cause of mental and emotional stress.Below: Some of the opportunities in viewing PTSD as an Identity Disorder.

ISOLATION

CONFRONTATION OF ACTIONS

RITUAL CLEANSING

RE-INTEGRATION CEREMONY

SPACE AND TIME TO RE-ACCLIMATE

CATHARTIC GROUP INTERACTION

INTERPERSONAL HEALING

RECONNECTION TO FAMILY & COMMUNITY

A participant is typically taken by a healer to a place far away from the community, either so that they can privately undergo the cleansing process, or so that they, tainted by the violence of war, dont pose a threat to others.

Either through dialogue or by way of a symbolic re-creation, such as dance, a participant will explain to observers, usually other participants, what they have done and seen, so that they can properly atone for their past actions.

Typically, this process involves either sweat or running water, but occasionally other methods as well. It is a symbolic removal of guilt from the participant by the healer, so that they can return to the community as a new person.

After the participant is cleaned, they are brought back to the community by the healer, and a celebration welcoming them home takes place.

It is not ideal within the context of this project to completely isolate veterans. There is simply too much to be gained from interaction! However, to promote identity development, some quiet time and space is necessary.

One of the most effective treatment methods for PTSD is talk therapy, simply expressing emotions and memories. This should be done with the facilitation of a knowledgeable therapist and, if in a group setting, a receptive audience.

Many different activities promote person growth and development, and some have been scientifically shown to improve emotional well-being. It is important than a veteran have individual time to devote to healing and developing their identity.

The family and community join together to learn about the veterans experiences and, in a celebratory way, welcome them back home.

ISOLATION

CONFRONTATION OF ACTIONS

RITUAL CLEANSING

RE-INTEGRATION CEREMONY

SPACE AND TIME TO RE-ACCLIMATE

CATHARTIC GROUP INTERACTION

INTERPERSONAL HEALING

RECONNECTION TO FAMILY & COMMUNITY

A participant is typically taken by a healer to a place far away from the community, either so that they can privately undergo the cleansing process, or so that they, tainted by the violence of war, dont pose a threat to others.

Either through dialogue or by way of a symbolic re-creation, such as dance, a participant will explain to observers, usually other participants, what they have done and seen, so that they can properly atone for their past actions.

Typically, this process involves either sweat or running water, but occasionally other methods as well. It is a symbolic removal of guilt from the participant by the healer, so that they can return to the community as a new person.

After the participant is cleaned, they are brought back to the community by the healer, and a celebration welcoming them home takes place.

It is not ideal within the context of this project to completely isolate veterans. There is simply too much to be gained from interaction! However, to promote identity development, some quiet time and space is necessary.

One of the most effective treatment methods for PTSD is talk therapy, simply expressing emotions and memories. This should be done with the facilitation of a knowledgeable therapist and, if in a group setting, a receptive audience.

Many different activities promote person growth and development, and some have been scientifically shown to improve emotional well-being. It is important than a veteran have individual time to devote to healing and developing their identity.

The family and community join together to learn about the veterans experiences and, in a celebratory way, welcome them back home.

TRADITIONAL PURIFICATION RITUAL

PURIFICATION RITUAL MODERNIZED 55

35

YOGAEXERCISE

SPIRITUALITY

MEDITATION

HUMAN TOUCH

BEING IN NATURE

PERSONAL VARIABLES

ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTEMENTAL WELL-BEING

56 57

58

60

62

61

59

When we see PTSD as an issue of identity and personal growth, it becomes clear why traditional societies used the realm of myth and ritual to help warriors, and why pharmaceuticals dont seem to ever relieve a soldiers deep inner pain.

The original purification ritual can be used as the framework for a modern reinterpretation. While modern society is less likely to accept symbolic actions or mythological explanations, the general ideas of space, catharsis, independent healing, and celebration are all still valuable today.

As many veterans have discovered independently, there are a multitude of activities that they can participate in that help them to feel better or to overcome some of the emotions and thoughts that would otherwise hold them back. Some of them are even documentably good for emotional and mental well-being.

The program I am proposing would incorporate both cathartic individual and group therapy with independent exploration of activities that help the veterans come to terms with what they have experienced and begin to learn who they are and what they enjoy again.

35


Can It Be Done?











36











37

It is important not only that the veteran tells his story but that he experiences it as being heard... We all need a sense of belonging to a tightly knit community in which we have significant relations that matter to and help uphold us all. Having ones story validated is a crucial step in the transformation of identity into warriorhood and mature adult status. The public platform is necessary for the story to get passed on and become part of the communitys collective wisdom and mythic history.

-Dr. Edward Tick, Psychotherapist63

WHOLISTIC THERAPY MODEL

Individual

Group

Family

Community

Therapist

WellnessTeam

ProblemsEmotions

SolutionsCognition

SupportUnderstanding


KnowledgeIdeas

KnowledgeIdeas

ExperiencesConcerns

ExperiencesConcerns

KnowledgeUnderstanding


FrameworksUnderstanding

ConcernsEmotions

FrameworksSuggestions

ConcernsQuestions

FrameworksIdeas

PossibilitiesIdeas

38

TRADITIONAL THERAPY MODEL

Its odd to think of how certain ideas and images become socially ingrained. When most of us think of going to see a therapist, we imagine him sitting in a comfy chair facing us, lying relaxed on a chaise lounge. The therapist asks us how we feel and what we think about our mother. We come to him prepared to divulge our problems and emotions, and he listens quite well. Then, without judgement, he offers us solutions and cognitive frameworks to use in understanding our lives. We leave, relieved of our burden, and prepared to see the world in a new way. Often, our family and friends are unaware of our visit, and the community has no relation to us at all.

But really, this model is counter- productive to a soldier coming to terms with his experiences. It feels like a secret, and tells him that a quite normal

reaction to suffering is abnormal.Imagine instead a model of therapy

where everyone brings their particular skills and experiences to the table in an appropriate setting. The soldier knows about war and death in a way no one except another combat veteran does. A therapist has clinical knowledge. Families know the individual, and members of the community have a set of civilian skills that can help when entering the workforce. They all share these.

This model is dynamic, flexible, and expansive, building off of the traditional model of therapy. It allows healing to be wholistic, and helps not just the individual but the whole community.Above: The traditional model of therapy involves an individual seeking help and a single practitioner.At right: A more dynamic model for therapy uses a wholistic approach, incorporating family and community. There is still an individual therapist dynamic, but also a team with specialized skills, and a group who can help each other as well. Together, this creates a healthy symbiotic system.

RETHINKING THE DYNAMIC

39

Individual

Group

Family

Community

Therapist

WellnessTeam

ProblemsEmotions

SolutionsCognition



KnowledgeIdeas

KnowledgeIdeas

ExperiencesConcerns

ExperiencesConcerns



FrameworksUnderstanding

ConcernsEmotions

FrameworksSuggestions

ConcernsQuestions

FrameworksIdeas

PossibilitiesIdeas

WHOLISTIC THERAPY MODEL

Rediscover or redefine identity

Confront traumatic events and learn coping and healing methods

Practice various individualized stress relief and self-healing methods

Prepare for responsibilities of civilian life, such as job training and financial planning

Retain cohesive group mentality and identity

Utilize group interactions to facilitate empathy and support

Relieve stress through group activities and unstructured time

Provide a safe environment which facilitates a positive reconnection

Build trust and understanding through open communication and unstructured activity

Mediate stress associated with changes in family roles and daily life.

Collaborate with veterans to improve the site and the local community

Learn about the experiences and special knowledge of veterans

Provide knowledge and support to veterans

Personal rooms sleeping working etc

Personal therapy/practice rooms

Spiritual center

Meditation space

Private outdoor space

Kitchen and dining

Living room

Large group meeting rooms

Outdoor meeting space

Small therapy rooms

Informal outdoor space

Community rooms

Community center

Auditorium

Community garden

Hiking trails

Lawns

Individual therapy

Identity search and healing music art poetry spirituality exercise yoga meditation outdoor activity literature etc

Physical therapy

Quiet time and sleep

Financial and job planning

Group therapy

Group bonding exercise drills classes orienteering site work etc

Unstructured group time cooking outdoors play

Couples counseling intimacy roles trust expectations

Family counseling

Family bonding exercise time outside arts play

Festivities

Informational sessionsGroup therapyIndividual therapy

Community outreach lectures informational sessions

Festivities

On site volunteeringCamp Hale revitalizationInformational sessions

GO

ALS

The Individual The Group The Family The CommunitySP

AC

ESA

CTI

VIT

IES

41

Rediscover or redefine identity

Confront traumatic events and learn coping and healing methods

Practice various individualized stress relief and self-healing methods

Prepare for responsibilities of civilian life, such as job training and financial planning

Retain cohesive group mentality and identity

Utilize group interactions to facilitate empathy and support

Relieve stress through group activities and unstructured time

Provide a safe environment which facilitates a positive reconnection

Build trust and understanding through open communication and unstructured activity

Mediate stress associated with changes in family roles and daily life.

Collaborate with veterans to improve the site and the local community

Learn about the experiences and special knowledge of veterans

Provide knowledge and support to veterans

Personal rooms sleeping working etc

Personal therapy/practice rooms

Spiritual center

Meditation space

Private outdoor space

Kitchen and dining

Living room

Large group meeting rooms

Outdoor meeting space

Small therapy rooms

Informal outdoor space

Community rooms

Community center

Auditorium

Community garden

Hiking trails

Lawns

Individual therapy

Identity search and healing music art poetry spirituality exercise yoga meditation outdoor activity literature etc

Physical therapy

Quiet time and sleep

Financial and job planning

Group therapy

Group bonding exercise drills classes orienteering site work etc

Unstructured group time cooking outdoors play

Couples counseling intimacy roles trust expectations

Family counseling

Family bonding exercise time outside arts play

Festivities

Informational sessionsGroup therapyIndividual therapy

Community outreach lectures informational sessions

Festivities

On site volunteeringCamp Hale revitalizationInformational sessions

GO

ALS

The Individual The Group The Family The Community

SPA

CES

AC

TIV

ITIE

S

42

THE SPACES THE SCALE

s.f.LIVING SPACES:

bedrooms kitchendining room living & recreational roomsshowers and bathrooms

STAFF SPACES:private living spaceprivate working spacestaff meeting rooms

MEETING SPACES:auditoriummeeting roomcommunity center

HEALING SPACES:private therapy roomspersonal practice roomsgroup therapy roomspiritual center

OUTDOOR SPACES:meditative gardencommunity gardengreenhouseoutdoor meeting spacelawns & free spacehiking & walking trails

3,500250600

1,000300

1200800200

1,000600500

800800400250

400600400600

4,000

Because the goal is to provide effective, individualized care, it is important that the camp not be too large. At any one time, there should be a fairly low counselor-to-participant ratio64, and there shouldnt be more people on site than can be readily identified and interacted with, for the sake of the staff and the veterans.

The military has very specific titles it uses to differentiate among larger bodies of people. There are battalions, squads, teams, and divisions. However, the platoons appears to be a convenient size for the purposes of this project. They range from as small as perhaps 25 to as many as 50. Given this larger figure, still recognizable as a platoon to anyone involved in military service, group interaction is still cohesive. Also, it allows a staff of 5 practitioners to very easily cover all of the necessary tasks and still devote adequate time to each individual involved.

Of course, the number of people participating at any time is always larger than 5 therapists and 50 veterans, because the community is also actively involved as a support structure to teach valuable civilian skills, offer professional advice, and contribute to site improvements.

In a long term perspective, if there are multiple camps, and are therefore sited locally, the graduated veterans, after rejoining their families, have the opportunity to reinvest in the process. If they become educated in some healing practice, such as yoga or therapy, they may chose to return as a member of the wellness team. If they join the workforce and gain practical experience, they may come back as a member of the community with very specialized advice for those currently involved in the camp.

Above: A list of spaces required for the camp and estimated square footages.At left: A diagram of the flow in and out of the camp. Notice that after the initial input of veterans from the military, the system can function independently, as graduates return to support the program as either community members or wellness practitioners.

43

Individual

Camp

Employm

entEducation

Community

Family

The Military

WellnessTeam

SYSTEM FLOW


Can It Be Done?











44











Few places on earth are void of defense infrastructure... Built in the service of public protection, when these spaces become inactive and no longer serve their intended use, how can they be re-enlisted for civilian purposes?... Decommissioned military sites have tremendous potential if impediments to access can be overcome.

-Architecture For Humanity, [un]restricted access competition65

45

46

Urban ProximityCommunity NeedNatural ProximityBeautyAccessibility

Davids Island, New Rochelle, NYUse: Redevelopment stalled, abandoned

FORT SLOCUM

Kansas City, MOUse: Possible community use, Abandoned

RICHARDS-GEBAUR AIRFORCE BASE

Baltimore, MDUse: Park. essentially abandoned

FORT CARROLL

Port Townsend, WAUse: State Park

FORT WORDEN

Novato, CAUse: Wetland Restoration

HAMILTON AIRFORCE BASE

Saucalito, CAUse: Golden Gate Rec Area

FORT BARRY

Oakland, CAUse: Unknown future plans

OAK KNOLL NAVAL HOSPITALLeadville, CO

Use: Abandoned Historic Site

CAMP HALECascade, MDUse: Planned mixed-use, Redevelopment stalled

FORT RICHIE

STRATFORD ARMY ENGINE PLANTStratford, CTUse: Redevelopment stalled, Brownfield site

SITE SELECTION

SITE SELECTION

47

Urban ProximityCommunity NeedNatural ProximityBeautyAccessibility

Davids Island, New Rochelle, NYUse: Redevelopment stalled, abandoned

FORT SLOCUM

Kansas City, MOUse: Possible community use, Abandoned

RICHARDS-GEBAUR AIRFORCE BASE

Baltimore, MDUse: Park. essentially abandoned

FORT CARROLL

Port Townsend, WAUse: State Park

FORT WORDEN

Novato, CAUse: Wetland Restoration

HAMILTON AIRFORCE BASE

Saucalito, CAUse: Golden Gate Rec Area

FORT BARRY

Oakland, CAUse: Unknown future plans

OAK KNOLL NAVAL HOSPITALLeadville, CO

Use: Abandoned Historic Site

CAMP HALECascade, MDUse: Planned mixed-use, Redevelopment stalled

FORT RICHIE

STRATFORD ARMY ENGINE PLANTStratford, CTUse: Redevelopment stalled, Brownfield site

NETWORK OF CAREIn a system that relies so heavily on

outside support and cyclical flows, the best possible location for the project is directly accessible to vibrant local communities, which the veteran can return directly into.

The federal government, and more specifically, the military, owns land all over the country, on what are often the most beautiful locations in the region. Many of them are no longer in service. Despite their inherent value, they are usually thought of as liabilities because they require maintenance and staffing, and often cannot be sold without a great deal of environmental mediation beforehand.

With this much space, finding a home for the camp becomes quite easy. A new use would exist for a decommissioned site, and suddenly, a it would become a government asset which lowers long-term VA costs and actually produces a positive impact on the local community.

If multiple camps were built, a network of reused government land could create a network of healing all over the nation, which would help to connect veterans to their communities and the services around them. It would also become a focal point of the local community, and therefore have an impact much larger than just the veterans individual needs.

At left: Ten possible locations for the camp, all of which are decommissioned or abandoned military sites. The colored circles indicate proximity to large, vibrant communities, proximity to the natural environment, the community need for a redevelopment of the site, beauty of the site, and accessibility of the site. Image credits from top right, clockwise: USA General Services Administration, Nrbelex, quebraregra, Dugan, Master Planning Kansas City, Moorman, Paiva, yak_v, Hurling, Hikenutty

LeadvilleCamp Hale

Denver

Fort CollinsGreeley

Colorado Springs

Pueblo

Boulder

Vail

Grand Junction

Glenwood Springs I-70I-70

I-25I-25

Leadville

Frisco

Keystone

SilverPlume

Fairplay

Alma

Breckenridge

Climax

Red Cli

Camp Hale

Minturn

Silverthorne

EdwardsAvon

Vail

TOTAL POPULATION: 5,029,000

LARGEST CITIES: Denver Metro Area Colorado Springs Fort Collins Pueblo

ALTITUDE: 3,350-14,433 ft

CLIMATE: 300 days of sun per year Low humidity year round Cold winters, warm summers Defined spring and fall

REGIONS: The Great Plains (East) The Rocky Mountains (Center) The High Desert (West)

CONTEXT: COLORADO

LeadvilleCamp Hale

Denver

Fort CollinsGreeley

Colorado Springs

Pueblo

Boulder

Vail

Grand Junction

Glenwood Springs I-70I-70

I-25I-25

Leadville

Frisco

Keystone

SilverPlume

Fairplay

Alma

Breckenridge

Climax

Red Cli

Camp Hale

Minturn

Silverthorne

EdwardsAvon

Vail

TOTAL POPULATION: 5,029,000

LARGEST CITIES: Denver Metro Area Colorado Springs Fort Collins Pueblo

ALTITUDE: 3,350-14,433 ft

CLIMATE: 300 days of sun per year Low humidity year round Cold winters, warm summers Defined spring and fall

REGIONS: The Great Plains (East) The Rocky Mountains (Center) The High Desert (West)

49

CONTEXT: THE HIGH COUNTRY

The final site chosen for an in-depth case study was Camp Hale, located near Leadville, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It is an environmental and community context which I am familiar with, and which I believe can provide ample opportunities and challenges66.

The climate in Colorado is highly mercurial, changing hour by hour, but is still clearly defined by distinct seasons.

At left: A map of Colorado, with some of its most important cities and transportation routes.

In the high country, temperatures rarely rise past 70 degrees, and can fall to as low as 10 degrees during winter nights. However, Colorado is well known for its low humidity and plentiful sun, which make for a more habitable environment.

Wind is present all year, but is most prevalent in the winter months, when is blows, sometimes very hard, primarily from the North and North-West.

Above: The region surrounding Camp Hale, referred to as the high country, with nearby towns and roads.

2,000 ft

CONTEXT: PANDO VALLEY

At left: Pando Valley in the summer. (Bencina)At right: Map of Pando Valley. Topography lines indicate 80 foot increments. The orange area indicates the extents of Camp Hale.

53

CONTEXT: CAMP HALE

1,000 ft

Camp Hale is located in the Pando Valley, about 20 minutes North of Leadville and 25 minutes South of Vail on Colorado Highway 24.

The valley base is at an altitude of 9,300 ft`, and is oriented about 10 degrees West of North-South. It receives fairly good sun throughout the year, at least in the context of mountain areas, which tend to have later sunrises and earlier sunsets than flat sites at a similar latitude.

Water runs through the center of the camp, and a few natural and man-made ponds dot the landscape.

Currently, the site is on the Register of National Historic Places68, but none of the original buildings are still fully intact, as the camp was dismantled after WWII. Instead, concrete and rusted steel ruins strew the valley, and many have become overgrown with local vegetation.

The land is now part of the White River National Forest, and is used almost exclusively for recreation, including hiking, fishing, camping, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Several scenic drives also pass through on the way up into the steep canyons nearby.

It is a well-used, easily accessible site, that is an asset to the community and visitors. Because of its shear size, it has areas which remain relatively private and quiet throughout the year.

At left: The concrete ruin of and ammunition bunker at Camp Hale (Smith)Above: Map of Camp Hale, indicating water, ruins, structures, and roadways.

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CONTEXT: HISTORYIn December of 1941, in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, the United States entered WWII. Due to the cold mountainous terrain in Europe, it was decided that an elite force, known as the 10th Mountain Division, must be trained for winter survival and combat. After an extensive search, a location was chosen in the Colorado high country.

ORIGIN

SITE It was an ideal site given its easy access to Highway 24 and proximity to a stop on the Rio Grande and Denver rail lines. It was also adjacent to national forest land and steep mountain topography, and boasted heavy and consistent winter snowfall, necessary for training being conducted at the camp. It was a natural alpine wetland, and required draining and landfill.

FACILITY It housed over 16,000 troops and support personnel, and was for all intents and purposes a self-supporting city with local sources of water and coal for energy. It was massive in scale, containing many large barracks, a post-exchange, a hospital, stables and a blacksmith, a ski shop, a pistol range and artillery bunker, a theater and field house, as well as 10 ski runs, and 4 ski lifts.

SUCCESS In 1945, the 10th Mountain Division was sent to Europe. They were responsible for breaching the impregnable Gothic Line in the Apennines and securing the Po River Valley. Therefore, the division played a vital role in the liberation of Northern Italy. However, they also saw the highest casualty rate of any U.S. division in the Mediterranean during that war.

Above: Soldiers performing the difficult feat of an about face on skis. (Moorland)At right: Summer at Camp Hale, at the height of its use by the army. (Moorland)

68

69

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HEAL THE VETERAN, HEAL THE SITE

Individual Community


Energy


Energy

NATURE WORK

Environment

The history of Camp Hale indicates massive environmental degradation from its very beginning. Pando Valley was actually a high altitude swamp with a meandering flow of water through it. This flow was straightened and the swamp was drained. Such a drastic change would have severely harmed the ecosystem.

After over 60 years, it is both impractical and probably, equally environmentally damaging to return the site to its original condition. However, many other aspects of the site could use remediation.

The pistol range and artillery bunker are likely to have left some remnants behind, none of which is good for the soil, the flora, and fauna, or the occasional human visitor. The valley floor is devoid of vegetation, in spite of the fact that the surrounding slopes are covered in native trees. While Highway 24 is considered a scenic route, it is not really all that scenic.

A possible solution to these environmental problems, as well as others associated with Camp Hale, is a partnership between the veterans who would inhabit the camp, and the community who would be participating in the healing process.

A community center and environmental care program would allow veterans and civilians to meet one another and share a common goal. Together, they could undertake nature work, improving not only the environment, but also group cohesion, sense of community, and the visibility of Camp Hale, with all of its history.

Even better, it would make the site more appealing to visitor and the local community as a landmark. It would also help veterans understand their creative capabilities and, over time, make the site more beautiful and a better place to be.

Above: An expansion of the wholistic therapy model on page 39. In it, individuals and the community come together to improve the ecology of the site.


Can It Be Done?The Grand Myth of War

Can It Be Done?

56


Can It Be Done?

57

This memorial was needed to show the veterans that the country cared. Just as it would heal the military veterans of Viet Nam, or help heal them, so too would it help to heal a nation... So, a piece of architecture can sometimes lead to things far beyond what the original thinking was.

-Jan Scruggs, Vietnam Veteran and creator of the Vietnam Memorial70

58

POSSIBILITIES AND COSTS

debt! Our credit rating is falling! How can we spend more money if we dont have any to begin with?

Think about it from the other side of the argument- how can we NOT afford to do this? From a purely financial standpoint, the massive unemployment, substance abuse, and lost potential that exists among veterans of war must be paid for eventually. At this point that tasks lies on the shoulders of the local community or individual family, and is not acknowledged as a country-wide problem. A consolidated effort would provide more effective, less expensive care, and would bring the issue to national attention. Being proactive reduces long term problems and long term costs.

Given this, the next question is: how much will it cost? Accounting for possible significant growth of the program, the square footage can be guessed at 20,000. And, again accounting for increased cost due to transportation and labor difficulties arising from the relative isolation of Pando Valley, the cost per square foot can be estimated at $500. This gives a total cost for the building at 10 million dollars.

As noted in the graphic to the right, 10 million dollars may seem like a lot to the average person, but to the government, politicians, or corporations, this is a relatively expendable figure. The 2008 presidential campaign finances for Obama alone could build more than 75 camps- thats 1.5 camps per state- beginning a true network of care all across the country. Obviously, this isnt an issue of not having the money. It is one of misplaced priorities.

In the 1980s a Vietnam Veteran names Jan Scruggs realized that a problem existed; veterans felt isolated and unwelcome in the nation they had risked their lives for. He decided that a statement needed to be made- a memorial to those who lost their lives needed to be placed, very visibly, on the National Lawn in Washington, D.C.

It was a hasty decision, and Scruggs had no connections or political background. But with the help of other, equally committed people, he got Congressional approval, raised enough money for construction, and created the largest architectural competition ever held to choose the design.

A senior architecture student at Yale, the now famous Maya Lin, entered the competition on a whim, and won. Controversy existed through the entire process, but compromise and a sincere desire to make it happen finally culminated what is perhaps the most meaningful and touching memorial in the world, which ultimately has proven to heal wounds and build bridges between veterans and civilians71.

The lesson here is two-fold: if something is worth-while enough, and people are really committed to the cause, even the most unimaginable odds cannot stop success. And, as important, architecture has been shown to be a powerful tool for healing. On the following pages are some architectural precedents which may offer ideas for creating such a space.

So, if we take for granted that a problem exists, and that a network of camps could serve a function in preparing soldiers to be civilians, the next thing we must grapple with is if there is any possibility of this being accomplished. After all, a sceptic might say, things are different now- the government is in

At right: An analysis of what $10,000,000 is, in other terms. On the left are expenses common in the military,