(CNN) -- Just out of high school, my young developing mind couldn't resist the temptation of the Marine recruiters: They promised challenge and hardship, in comparison to the other armed services, which promised money and travel as their main recruiting incentives. So, on September 24, 2003 -- my 18th birthday -- I enlisted in the Marine Corps while my parents were away on vacation, a trip they promptly returned from upon hearing the news. My time in the Marine Corps offered an escape from the isolated Midwest upbringing that I'd experienced. Once my training was completed, I found myself stationed in Okinawa, Japan's sacrificial prefecture to the American Empire.
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Richard Stroder joined the Marines at age 18
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He says he was the target of harassment and, later, sexual assault
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Stroder suffered from PTSD and was disappointed with VA treatment
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He believes ayahuasca could help more vets suffering from PTSD
My initial two-year tour of duty in @placeholder was regularly marked with frequent physical and mental abuse at the hands of noncommissioned officers within my unit, several of whom exhibited signs of post-traumatic stress.
It was clear to me that the @placeholder was there to placate, not to heal veterans.