Military life poses many challenges that demand physical and emotional strength, including maintaining and managing mental health. In the military, some still regard mental illness as a weakness. To help combat the stigma associated with mental health, Retired Major General Gregg F. Martin, USA (RET) shares his story of battling bipolar disorder in his memoir, “Bipolar General: My Forever War With Mental Illness,” published in 2023.

To discuss the stress of war and the mental load it carries for servicemembers and their spouses, Sarah Bumgardner, AAFMAA Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement, spoke with Gen. Martin, who served in the Army for 36 years, until his retirement in 2015. Gen. Martin earned a Ph.D. and two masters degrees from MIT, masters degrees in national security strategy from both the Army and Naval war colleges, and a bachelor's degree from West Point. He commanded the 130th Engineer Brigade in combat during the first year of the Iraq War and served multiple overseas tours. Currently, Gen. Martin lives in Cocoa Beach, Florida with his wife, Maggie. They have three adult sons.

To learn more about mental health in the military and how Gen. Martin overcame his bipolar disorder, visit his website and watch the discussion below.