When Machelle Jordan joined the Navy in 1996, she quickly rose through the ranks and was sent on top secret missions to just about every country surrounding the Persian Gulf.
“I was a very motivated sailor. I knew what I wanted,” said Jordan, who now lives in Sandwich.
And while she reached pinnacles of success, becoming a Middle East analyst, fluent in Arabic and Farsi, she said she and other women came away from the military with post-traumatic stress disorder connected to experiences during combat operations, military sexual trauma, and feelings of isolation.
In 1999, Jordan was sexually assaulted by a shipmate during her first deployment. And while she was viewed as strong, capable, and in control by her counterparts, she said the trauma from the assault affected her throughout her military career.
“There was no time to feel sorry for myself,” she said during a recent interview. “I had to compartmentalize and get through it.”
Many women in the military and military spouses face a range of struggles and challenges, said Nicole Spencer, executive director of Heroes in Transition, an organization that provides assistance to veterans, service members, and their families.
This is why Marie Bartram, owner of All 4 Healing Wellness Center, and Sheryll Reichwein, an author, created “Reboot,” a six-week program that helps female veterans, active duty members, and military spouses build resilience, foster health, and well-being, and create routines for sustainable self-care.
Read more at CapeCodTimes.com.
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