Let begin my story by saying my name is SFC Marvin Mitchell. I have been active duty Army since February 1994. I have been deployed to active war zones numerous times. I have been a cadre twice. Once for basic training soldiers and once for senior soldiers. I have led and taught our soldiers and I have been in charge of life or death missions. I have given my all to the Army for most of my life. I am a highly decorated soldier (I have proof if requested). I have seen and done things in life that has changed me forever. Because, of those things I now suffer from severe PTSD and a “moderate” TBI.
In September of last year, I tried to end my life. Things just became to overwhelming for me. I couldn’t handle it. I ended up in a coma for almost three days. When my wife found me unconscious with the empty pill bottles on the table and immediately called 911. The mp’s and paramedics where here within minutes from what I understand. I barely had a heartbeat or respiration’s. I am extremely lucky to be here right now. A few years ago (When I pcsed back to Washington which is where I did all my deployments from) I started to become extremely angry lashing out at my wife. I avoided all aspects of relationships with my family and friends. I just started to not care and shut myself up in my room and avoid everything. My wife finally pushed me for treatment. I started treatment which made things worse because, it brought out things I had suppressed (they said coming back to Washington is what brought out everything I had suppressed). They put me on several medications which were causing essentially a psychosis counteracting with one and another. And then that night in September I gave up. I regret every moment of that decision. Now I was given a second chance and I have no idea how to use it. I know I need to focus on healing. But, right now I have larger concerns.
Because, of going through the med board I now have just under 12 weeks left of active duty service. I lost a complete year off of my enlistment. When we came here three years ago I had a plan. I was getting my credit back on track so, that we could buy a home in Evans, Georgia when I got out. Then everything started going on and it was put on hold while I started to try to heal. Now I am leaving the service in less then 12 weeks and I have no savings to secure a home for my family. No one will give me a home loan because, I only have a few months left in active duty service. I am literally at a lost. I am trying to raise money to secure a home and hopefully the first couple months of rent and utilities. Because, it may be a couple months before I even see my first retirement check or disability check.
My wife and I have six of the best children god has ever blessed anyone with. Our oldest daughter is married to a soldier and is stationed overseas she is 21. Our oldest son is a soldier, he is 19. He and his wife are stationed in the south. They are good to go and are doing good in life with what they were blessed with. What I am concerned about is the four children I still have home and my wife. We have two daughters with Asperger’s, they are 17 and 10. So, they are already dealing with so much. My two sons that are 13 and 15. As much as I hate to say it I have lost so much time with them because I dedicated myself to the military. These are children who have already endured so much because of me being in the military. My wife has tried to and has been pretty successful at shielding them from everything. But, between deployments, training and with what happened in September (our youngest two just think daddy was sick) they have been through so much. They are really good kids. (My wife had done an excellent job raising them almost completely on her own.) And I know a lot of folks say that their kids are awesome. But, it is true. They would be the first to offer help to anyone who needs it. They are respectful and caring and just over all good kids. My wife is a heck of a lady. She has been through the wringer. Not only has she always been there by my side to help me with anything she can. She has pushed me to be a better person. She stood by my side during dependent restricted tours, she stood by my side when I was being not too nice to her, she stood by my side during deployments and training. She has never not once complained. She never has a harsh word to say about anything or anyone ever. Which is amazing considering the things she has been put through.
My goal again is to raise enough money to secure us a home, hopefully enough to pay the first few months of rent and utilities. (Or maybe if anyone knows anyone offering a rent to own home or willing to finance a home for me, of course I’ll sign a contract in the Evans / Martinez, Georgia are please have the contact me). If I am not able to raise money for our home, we actually face homelessness which is scaring me to death. It’s making it hard for me to work on healing and try to get better because, I am so worried. If you need proof of my service and or awards, please ask. I am more then willing to provide them.
Please also share. Thank you for your time, SFC Mitchell. www.gofundme.com
