02/04/2026
There are battles no uniform prepares you for.
Thoughts that circle at night.
Memories that surface without permission.
The weight of responsibility that never quite comes off, even when the boots do.
For veterans and active-duty alike, the mission doesn’t always end when the day does. And sometimes that weight doesn’t just slow you down, it pins you in place.
If that’s you, hear this clearly: nothing about needing help means you are weak, broken, or failing.
You were trained to endure, adapt, and overcome. But endurance was never meant to be a solo operation.
Seeking medical or mental health support isn’t quitting the fight. It’s choosing to fight smarter. It’s maintenance. It’s accountability. It’s recognizing that untreated wounds, physical or mental, cost lives.
Su***de doesn’t usually begin with a moment.
It begins upstream.
With isolation. With untreated stress. With believing you have to carry everything alone.
We stop it upstream by talking earlier.
By asking for help sooner.
By treating mental health the same way we treat injuries sustained in training or combat.
If your mind is tired, get it checked.
If the load is heavy, share it.
If the thoughts feel dangerous, say something now, not later.
You are still needed.
Your presence still matters.
Your story is not finished.
No one fights alone.
Not here. Not ever.
If you’re struggling today, reach out to a trusted peer, a medical professional, or a support line. Help is part of the mission, and choosing life is the strongest move you can make.
We’re still in this together.
Much Love, Minot
-Roddy
