Smyrna Marine Vet Successfully Completes Treatment Program

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SMYRNA, GA -- Brandon Musser joined the military at 18 and served two combat tours overseas as part of the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Battalion and the 8th Marines Lima Company. But civilian life hasn't treated him so well.

That, however, may be changing.

On Friday, Musser and Marietta vet Willis Hatfield-Reavis will become the first two veterans to complete Cobb County's Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a program designed to help troubled veterans lead a productive, law-abiding lifestyle.

Research suggests many veterans suffer from adjustment issues when they come back into civilian life, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Completion of the program signifies the mens' completion of a minimum 18-month long program.

“This treatment court offers veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation, an opportunity to address the issues brought on by their military service, that have ultimately lead to their involvement with the criminal justice system,” said program coordinator Flynn Broady. “Now, with all of their hard work and dedication, these graduates have a chance to fulfill the potential they demonstrated when initially joining the military."

Smyrna's Musser suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse. He entered the VTC in September 2014 after being arrested on burglary and aggravated assault charges. Since then, he enrolled in college full time, maintaining an "A" average. He represented his college in a skills competition where he placed third. He got married last August and welcome a son on Nov. 23, 2015. He has remained clean and sober for over 563 days.

Former Marine and VTC presiding judge, Reuben Green, said veterans often will treat mental health issues with different substances to cope.

“Once they are stable, the VTC assists them in identifying stable housing and then requires them to nd a job or enroll in a higher education program,” Green said. “This is exactly how Musser claims he was able to regain the structure he needed coming out of the military.”

VTC treatment coordinator Kristie Garrett said, “Both of our graduates joined the military at a young age and entered an environment where someone told them when to eat, bathe and sleep. When they began adjusting to a normal lifestyle again without the structure the military afforded them, they discovered they were lacking essential life skills, and turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope. Treatment and therapy, provided by the VTC in conjunction with the Atlanta VA Medical Center, helped to provide theses participants with the tools they need to live a successful life on their own.”

“Each VTC participant is paired up with an honorably discharged veteran from the community who serves as a mentor to the participant,” Green said. “Some of these mentors have suffered from PTSD and are able to help guide and advise the participants throughout their recovery.”

“I’ve been in the justice system a long time, and I’ve been before a lot of judges that once they start laying down the hammer, it sets the tone for every case to follow, but not with Judge Green,” Musser said. “He treats every person as an individual and never lets a prior case set the precedent for his next ruling.”

The ceremony will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, May 13, in the first floor jury assembly room of the Cobb County Superior Court.