SEOUL, South Korea (BP)–Chaplain (Major) Ed Choi understands the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Deployed as a U.S. Army chaplain in Iraq for tours of duty in 2004-05 and 2006-07, Choi lost more than 30 soldiers and conducted 18 memorial services. He returned from combat burnt out, angry and frustrated.
“I was on my knees in my living room, crying out to God,” Choi said. “I read Matthew 12:18-21, and verse 20 spoke to me — ‘a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.’ I knew I needed help, but then my wife also told me I needed help. When she speaks, I listen.”
Choi attended the Advanced School for Chaplains at Fort Jackson, S.C., also known as the Captain Chaplain’s Career Course or C4. At the Advanced School, he realized that he was suffering from compassion fatigue, and he was diagnosed with PTSD.
“At C4,” Choi said, “I realized I was not alone.”
