Pentagon will now allow troops to get security clearances without disclosing psychiatric counseling

[babylonsister]

Pentagon changes rule for security clearances

Pentagon allows troops to get security clearances without disclosing psychiatric counseling

PAULINE JELINEK
AP News

May 01, 2008 10:29 EST

Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday urged troops to get psychiatric counseling for wartime mental health problems, saying it's "not going to count against them" if they apply for national security clearances for sensitive jobs.

Gates announced a new policy under which troops and civilian defense employees will no longer have to reveal previous mental health treatment unless it was court-ordered or involved violence.

He spoke to reporters after he visited with patients at a new center at Fort Bliss, Texas, designed to treat soldiers returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Gates pointedly called PTSD one of the "unseen wounds" of war. He said there are two issues in dealing with it, the first being developing care and treatment.

"The second, and in some ways perhaps equally challenging, is to remove the stigma that is associated with PTSD and to encourage soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who encounter these problems to seek help," he said.

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