COVERING PUGET SOUND NAVAL NEWS FOR BREMERTON | BANGOR | KEYPORT
Kitsap
VOLUME 1, NO. 33 | 11 NOVEMBER 2011
www.kitsapnavynews.com
Veterans lobby for Bremerton veterans’ court
The next wave of Troops Kitsap County recruiters balance desires of civilian and soldier to meet recruiting goals. By JJ Swanson
Veterans and Kitsap defense attorneys join forces to advocate for former troops that find trouble with the law
jswanson@soundpublishing.com
The reasons for joining the military today are largely the same as they were 50 years ago, duty, honor, country, and a steady paycheck with dental.
SEE WAVE | PAGE 8
By JJ Swanson jswanson@soundpublishing.com
“Back then you could be out at a bar and take a swing at someone, and it was no big deal. It’s a different world now. You do that and your career is over. Can you get a job at PSNS with assault charges? No way, you’re done,” said Joel Courreges. Courreges, a Vietnam veteran and director of the Bremerton Disabled American Veterans chapter, remembered what it was like to be a young veteran returning from combat and trying to fit back into the civilian world. “The world looks in and sees an old man, but the man looking out is still an 18-year-old soldier,” said Tom Gilles, the chapter coordinator. The two veterans are sensitive to the anger, difficulties, and ensuing legal nightmares that soldiers can face when returning from deployment. They feel that it is more important than ever for Bremerton to establish a veterans court to deal with these criminal issues. “Knowing what we know now about post-traumatic stress and behavior, we have a chance to help these guys coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. The numbers aren’t in yet. Who knows how many of them are getting into trouble and could use our help for a second chance,” said Courreges. Jay Behrens, case manager of the Department of Veterans affairs said
THIS EDITION Better long distance education ..............pg. 2 Everett commander fired for rape .......................pg. 3 Meet Sparky, the newest Smiley ....................pg. 4 Judge Jay B. Roof of Kitsap County Superior Court thumbs through files which contain photos and letters from his successful drug court graduates. Criminals who were sentenced to rehabilitation rather than prison time. “You probably saved my life,” wrote one graduate who is now ten years sober. Roof plans to mirror this successful model in Bremerton veterans’ court. JJ SWANSON/STAFF PHOTO that post-traumatic stress disorder, common in vets, factors in crime involvement. And, the effects are not limited to those who have seen combat. “These guys see unimaginable things even in times of peace, training accidents, military sexual crimes, amputations,” said Behrens. Courreges is soliciting the help of Kitsap defense attorneys and superior court judges to organize the court in
Bremerton. But a veterans court will require substantial human and financial resources from the state and county.
‘REHABILITATE RATHER THAN INCARCERATE’ Veterans’ court follows the spirit of problem-solving established by drug
SEE COURT | PAGE 8
USS Relief provided comfort for thousands ..... pg. 13