Transfer of Files on Psychological Operations

[Ed Jewett]

The Pentagon’s launched a handful of new projects to help the record number of vets who are coming home with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Right now, they’re sponsoring studies on earlier diagnosis, at-home monitoring systems and even using pharmacology to short-circuit the brain’s stress response.

But until pill-popping becomes a viable means of PTSD prevention, the Internet might be one of the best ways for vets to cope. At least that’s the idea behind Vision 21, an interactive web project started by MetroStar Systems, a government software maker. With a grant from the Kansas National Guard, they’re launching a social-networking megolith that’ll include Facebook, Twitter and video diaries. And now that the military is close to okaying Web 2.0 in war zones, Vision 21 hopes to help troops on the ground as well.

Over at True/Slant, I run down the program and talk to Ali Reza Manoucheri, MetroStar’s CEO, as well as an Iraq vet, Ross Beurmann. They’re convinced that online anonymity will curb PTSD stigma. Whether it helps more troops get treatment remains to be seen.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/10/on...a-more-twitter/