Grunt Style Foundation Blog
This We’ll Defend
Duty Honor Country
Beyond the Calm: Veterans Rally Amid the Storm’s Aftermath
When Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in Tennessee and North Carolina, Irreverent Warriors sprang into action, delivering critical aid and support where it was needed most. With over 150 veteran volunteers mobilizing to provide food, supplies, and emotional assistance, their response demonstrated the unwavering strength and unity of the veteran community. Read how IW and the Grunt Style Foundation made a powerful impact in the aftermath of the storm.
DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR PILLS
Antidepressants like SSRIs are often seen as effective treatments for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but many patients, especially veterans, are unaware of the severe and sometimes permanent side effects associated with these medications. Our latest article explores the growing body of research and personal stories that highlight the dangers of overprescription and dependency. We dive into the urgent need for greater awareness and discuss why agencies like the FDA and VA must do more to protect patients. Read on to learn how you can be part of the conversation and make a difference.
How Cannabis and CBD Could Help Gulf War Veterans: A New Study Shows Hope for Gulf War Illness
The recent research into Gulf War Illness highlights a major discovery: the brain’s endocannabinoid system is out of balance in GWI, and fixing that balance could provide relief. Cannabis and CBD, both of which work with this system, may offer a promising solution to the chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues that veterans with GWI face.
For those looking for an alternative to traditional treatments, cannabis and CBD could be an option worth exploring.
Training Days: Surthriving an Execution, Antidepressants, then Myself — A Cop’s Tale
Overwhelmed by despair and feeling like a shell of myself, I made a decision in August of 2021 that still haunts me. I swallowed a handful of pills, hoping to escape the pain and confusion. I grabbed my handgun from my safe and planned to take my own life. I was tired of fighting. This was the only way out. Two years earlier, I’d been prescribed a litany of psychiatric drugs as treatment for a life-threatening event I experienced as a San Bernardino Deputy Sheriff. As the August heat hung heavily in the air, hopelessness churned within. I texted my husband, “You need to come home.” He did and he saved my life. That night became a turning point—a wake-up call for me and those around me.
Green Star Mother Demands Answers from VA Secretary
Two or three days after my son Cody Camacho, an Army veteran, took his own life, I was sitting at his dining room table with a good friend of his who had been talking with him about opening a business—but would now serve as one of his pallbearers. We were trying to put together the pieces, repeating over and over what everyone said: “But he just wouldn’t leave his girls.” Then a small package arrived, which we opened—it was Cody’s new prescription for risperidone from Hines VA Hospital in Chicago.
My Red October – An Army Veteran’s Crucible to Recovery
My brother Jesse sat next to me on the couch in my living room. Two police officers stood inside my entryway, watching us. My mind raced. I believed my brother’s life was in danger. I believed I was the only person who knew it and only I could save him. If only I could stop the police officers from reading my mind — as I knew they were — and prevent them from spoiling my plan.
Grunt Style Foundation and Mad in America Launches Veteran StorytellingCampaign
In early June, the Grunt Style Foundation (GSF) announced the War Cry For Change: A Revolution to Reclaim Veteran Mental Health. The goal of of this campaign is to educate the veterans community and the American public about the crisis of overprescribing psychiatric drugs to military veterans and service members, and the role this crisis has played in the veteran suicide epidemic.
Exploring Kambo: Traditional Healing for Modern Times
Kambo, a traditional Amazonian medicine, has been used for centuries by indigenous tribes for its profound healing properties. Extracted from the secretion of the giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), Kambo is applied to small burns on the skin, allowing its bioactive peptides to enter the lymphatic system. While it is commonly regarded as a powerful detoxification modality, Kambo's true potential lies in its ability to promote homeostasis through its unique blend of peptides. In this article, we explore what Kambo is, its benefits, and how it can be particularly beneficial for veterans and first responders.
Opinion Editorial: Expanding Access to Alternative Therapies for Missouri's Veterans
In Missouri, groundbreaking legislation is on the horizon that promises to reshape the landscape of mental health care for military veterans.
Unmasking Disease Mongering: The Intersection of Big Pharma, Mental Health and the FDA
In the vast landscape of modern medicine, the line between genuine health concerns and profit-driven agendas blur. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of mental health, where the phenomenon of disease-mongering raises pertinent questions about the integrity of psychiatric trends and pharmaceutical interventions. As we navigate the realm of diagnoses and prescriptions, it becomes imperative to scrutinize the symbiotic relationship between Big Pharma, the FDA, and the prevailing mental health epidemic in America.
A Milestone for Military Health: The Army's New Cognitive Testing Initiative
In a monumental shift toward prioritizing the cognitive health of its soldiers, the U.S. Army has launched an initiative that is as commendable as it is crucial. Beginning this June, all new soldiers at basic training and cadets before commissioning will undergo a cognitive assessment to establish a baseline measurement of brain health.
Grunt Style Foundation Voices Support for Urgent Changes to VA Regulations on Behalf of Toxic-Exposed Veterans
Senate Democrats recently sent a heartfelt and urgent letter to Secretary Denis R. McDonough of the Veterans Affairs (VA), highlighting critical gaps in the VA’s current handling of disability claims for veterans suffering from constrictive bronchiolitis and hypertension. This move, backed by the Grunt Style Foundation, underlines a critical issue facing our veterans: the need for rapid adaptation of VA regulations to better reflect the realities of toxic exposure during military service.
WWII Weird War Story: The Eagle’s Nest
Soaring above the Bavarian Alps, the Kehlsteinhaus, infamously dubbed Hitler's Eagle's Nest, remains a stark relic of the World War II era. Erected to commemorate Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday, this fortress-like retreat was overtaken by Allied forces in May 1945, symbolizing the crumbling of the Nazi empire. Despite its notoriety, the Eagle's Nest harbors peculiarities and hidden tales that often escape the public eye.
WWII Weird War Story: Patton’s PRAYER
In the midst of one of the most intense battles of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge, General George S. Patton Jr., known for his fierce determination and unorthodox tactics, showed a different facet of his leadership - one marked by introspection and spirituality. His Christmas message to the Third U.S. Army in 1944 is not only a historical document but also a poignant reflection of the times and the resilience of the human spirit.
WWII Weird War Story: Unveiling the Spectral Heroes of WWII: The Ghost Army
Across World War II history, tales of heroism often revolve around combat bravery, strategic genius, and the indomitable spirit of soldiers who faced unimaginable odds. But amidst the countless stories of valor, one particular unit stands out for its remarkable and unconventional approach to warfare - the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, better known as “The Ghost Army.”
WWII Weird War Story: Father Francis L. Sampson: The Paratrooper Priest
In the annals of World War II, there are numerous tales of valor, bravery, and the indomitable human spirit. Among these narratives, the story of Father Francis L. Sampson stands out not only for his commitment to serving the spiritual needs of his men but also for his extraordinary courage under fire. Check out this incredible tale of a real American hero!
7 Things Veterans Don’t Know About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Are you curious about the groundbreaking world of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and its potential impact on veterans' health? In this month's GSF Blog, HBOT Committee Chairperson and COO/Co-Founder of the U.S. Military Souse Chamber of Commerce, Jaime Chapman, shares her compelling perspective on the transformative world of HBOT.
GSF Deployment - Joint Base San Antonio
The Grunt Style Foundation Deployment - Joint Base San Antonio Delivers Food & Household Items to 350+ Junior-Enlisted Active Duty and Veteran Families Over Labor Day