PTSD not common in combat medics, says psychology officer Clint Marlborough

Combat medics are some of the most “unflappable” soldiers despite being tasked with treating mates on the battlefield, and according to a former ADF psychologist, it’s common for these Kilos to “feel fine” after discharging. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST INTERVIEW.

Major Clint Marlborough.

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A former military psychologist has described combat medics as “unflappable” soldiers who in most cases, walk away from trauma “feeling fine”.

Major Clint Marlborough spent seven years in the Australian Defence Force and deployed to Afghanistan four times.

He sat down with The Daily Telegraph for an extended chat during filming for the Voodoo Medics investigation.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE

Marlborough said it was vital for veterans to find new purpose in their lives after leaving the army.

“It’s critically important for veterans to know that they not just can, but they have to, take control of their future,” he said.

Despite treating their mates on the battlefield and witnessing horrific injuries, Marlborough believes the high level of training that medics undergo puts them in a good position to positively process trauma.

Major Clint Marlborough.

“It’s quite common for the Kilos, in particular, to feel fine and for that to be a completely honest response too,” Marlborough said.

“They’ve done so much training leading up to the event.

Clint Marlborough was deployed to Afghanistan four times during his seven years in the military. Picture: Supplied

“For them to feel fine is more a validation of the training and its success in showing what a real-world environment would be like”.

Good medics, according to Marlborough, have a “temperament that’s calm, difficult to fluster, but also focused, very clear minded in a crisis.”