When I was growing up, I always thought PTSD was something that "crazy" people suffered from, you know, the veteran with the cardboard sign, panhandling and screaming at the sky when left to their thoughts. I assumed PTSD made people erratic, angry and "trigger-happy"; they were the homeless, jobless ones on the streets that spent their money drinking heavily and sporting their "Vietnam War Veteran" hat as depicted by movies and social media. By the time I was 18 years old, I had met my first Iraq War veteran, my Drill Sergeant, who was a self-proclaimed sufferer of PTSD at my Basic Combat Training during live-fire training. Little did I know about ten years and two deployments later, my husband and I would both be diagnosed with PTSD. I've learned that PTSD comes in many shapes and sizes. Some sounds can trigger an episode for me while other days, the sound of gun fire makes me smile. I've become overly cautious, checking door handles to make sure they're secured, I have to sit facing the exit at a restaurant and I think the most difficult one for me is the constant "scanning" while driving. People tend to use the word "PTSD" to describe trivial mishaps such as missing an exit on the highway and getting detoured ("Oh the last time I missed this exit, I was 30 minutes late for my appointment and now I have PTSD when I get close to the exit"), while a veteran travelling in the wrong direction or missing a turn (example: Jessica Lynch's convoy) would likely be triggered by the event. Society as a whole does not take mental health as seriously as they should, which is why I believe so many veterans suffer in silence from PTSD. I currently work as a 911 Dispatch Supervisor, answering calls for people having the worst days of their life. In one of the cities that I dispatch for, we have a housing complex specifically for veterans. I've taken calls for overdoses, suicide attempts, mental breakdowns, assaults against another person due to being triggered from PTSD, but I have to say, being a 911 Dispatcher is extremely fulfilling because I feel that I am making a difference being the voice of reason. I always talk about my military service first, perhaps my MOS or where I deployed to and allow the veteran to talk about their experience if they so choose. I try to ask what caused the event that is occurring in the moment and then deter back to my experiences to give ideas on how to help them. I know that I am very fortunate because I receive mental health care at no cost and my voice is heard at my local VA, but there are so many other veterans that either do not know how to get that care or are too ashamed ("you're a wimp if you get help" type behavior). While working one day, I actually had to dispatch out my own 22-year-old brother's overdose and eventual death (even though I didn't know it was him yet). I would walk into work having physical breakdowns for weeks until I realized I needed help. I am looking to use my life experience in the Army and as a First Responder to further my education and work at a federal level upon graduating from college. I want to take classes and volunteer my time to help other veterans in need because we need it. One veteran lost to the battle of PTSD is way too many.