Optimal repatriation usually involves a decompression period, now often at the Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. About 3 days are allotted for medical and psychiatric exams, debriefing with intelligence agencies, and reunions with family members. Returning service members also catch up on sleep and nutrition; “three hots and a cot” is the Army mantra for dealing with combat stress, and it also applies here.
The returning service members also are prepared for the glare of media publicity which will follow. They learn how to avoid comments that might embarrass them later. If they have been held captive for a long period of time, they are brought up to date on recent events and news.
To quote the Borden Institute, “Most repatriated POWs, including those from the Persian Gulf War, have had little experience dealing with the media. The media are a substantial stressor that can have lifelong effects if a later, ‘Wish-I-had-never-said,’ statement is broadcast around the world. It is very important to both shield the POW and his family from early intrusive media coverage and to offer training in the management of media requests. This was done routinely for the POWs of the Persian Gulf War. Reminding POWs and their families that it is perfectly acceptable for them to say, ‘No,’ can be a most important intervention.”
So I would urge the current administration to take those lessons into account as it plans for the return of American hostages and returnees.
Dr. Ritchie, a forensic psychiatrist with expertise in military and veteran’s issues, is chief of psychiatry at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.