Outpost Ministry

For the Veteran

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers." II Corinthians 1: 8-11

PMIM Mission Statement

Point Man International is considered a service organization with an evangelistic purpose. It provides information to the public, but keeps Jesus Christ as the focal point. Point Man acts as a referral service to connect hurting soldiers, veterans, wives and other family members to our Outpost and Homefront system for continued support and fellowship. These support groups are available at no charge, and utilize the gospel of Jesus Christ and Biblical principles to facilitate healing and restoration.

Point Man participates in national conferences and international publishing, radio, television and other media forms to help educate and raise awareness of the needs of veterans around the world. We provide evangelistic materials, leadership training seminars, restoration conferences, and support outreaches to act as missionaries to a target group (active duty soldiers, veterans and their families).

Point Man is an interdenominational mission-oriented ministry. We embrace any Christian denomination that agrees with the basic evangelical Statement of Faith that is established by Corporate Board of Directors of the ministry.

INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AND FLASHBACKS:

Replaying military experiences in their minds, searching for alternative outcomes. Flashbacks triggered by everyday experiences: helicopters, the smell of urine, the smell of diesel fuel, the smell of mold, the smell of Asian food cooking, green tree lines, popcorn popping, rainy days, and refugees.

ISOLATION:

He has few friends. Isolates family emotionally and sometimes geographically. Fantasizes about being a hermit, moving away from his problems. Believes no one can understand and no one would listen if he tried to talk about his experiences. Isolates himself from his partner, family, and others with a "leave me alone" attitude. He needs no one.

EMOTIONAL NUMBING:

Cold, aloof, uncaring, detached. Constant fear of "losing control"... " I may never stop crying!"

DEPRESSION:

Sense of helplessness, worthlessness, and dejection. Lacks self esteem and suffers from great insecurity. Feels undeserving of good feelings. Seems unable to handle it when things are going well, and may appear to try to be sabotaging the situation.

ANGER:

Quiet, masked rage which is frightening to the veteran and to those around them. Sublimating the rage against inanimate objects. Unable to handle or identify frustrations. Unexplainable, inappropriate anger.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE:

Used primarily to numb the painful memories of past experiences. Heavy use of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and other drugs.

GUILT -SUICIDAL FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS:

Self-destructive behavior. Hopeless physical fights, single car accidents, compulsive blood donors. Self inflicted injuries to feel pain - many accidents with power tools. High suicide rate. Financial suicide. As soon as things are well off, doing something to lose it all, or walking away from it. Survivor's Guilt when others have died around them. "How is it that I survived when others more worthy than I did not?" (more so with medical personnel)

ANXIETY or NERVOUSNESS:

Uncomfortable when people walk close behind them or sit behind them. Conditioned suspicion, he trusts no one. Startled responses.

EMOTIONAL CONSTRICTION:

Unresponsive to self, therefore unresponsive to others. Unable to express or share feelings, cannot talk about personal emotions. Unable to achieve intimacy with family, partner, or friends.

DENIAL:

Unable to admit that he has any of the above symptoms or that he may have PTSD. May deny that his military experience could have anything to do with his attitude. In extreme cases, will deny that he was even in the military. Unwilling to seek help. Trusts no one.

PTSD:

Characteristics In Veterans Who Have Suffered Trauma: