Episode 6: I Survived the War. I Almost Didn’t Survive Coming Home.

I survived deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.But in October 2024, I came dangerously close to losing my life in my own home.In Episode 6 of The War After the War, I tell a story I never imagined I would tell publicly: the night I attempted suicide, the years of PTSD, TBI, anger, relationships, and untreated pain that led me to that point and what happened after I survived.This isn't a story with a perfect ending. I talk about the consequences that followed, the impact on my children and relationships, surrendering my firearms, finally taking treatment seriously, and the work I'm still doing today.I'm not sharing this for sympathy.I'm sharing it because another veteran may be sitting where I once sat, convinced there's nothing left on the other side of tonight.I couldn't see my future that night. That didn't mean I didn't have one.If you're a veteran in crisis or worried you may act on thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255.The uniform came off. The fight didn't.