Inside the Mind of a Military Psychiatrist
In a deeply insightful episode of the Stories of Service podcast, host Theresa Carpenter sits down with Dr. Robert Marietta, a military psychiatrist and author of Reflections of a Military Psychiatrist (Koehler Books). His work provides a rare, candid perspective on the mental health struggles service members endure, viewed through the eyes of those tasked with treating them.
Dr. Marietta recalls his time serving at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth during the 2022 suicide clusters aboard the USS George Washington and at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center. These experiences shaped his understanding of the profound human cost of military service, as well as the systemic pressures that erode mental health within the armed forces.
In this blog, we explore his career journey, the key lessons from his service, and what his reflections mean for the future of military psychiatry.
GUEST BIO: WHO IS DR. ROBERT MARIETTA?
Dr. Robert Marietta earned his medical degree at Saint Louis University before completing his psychiatric residency as Chief Psychiatry Resident at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. His career as Division Psychiatrist in Okinawa with the 3d Marine Division placed him at the center of some of the most pressing mental health challenges facing today’s warfighters.
After leaving the Navy, he continued to serve through the U.S. Public Health Service, completing tours with the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy (again), and most recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs. His service has been recognized with two PHS Outstanding Service Medals, two Presidential Unit Citations, and campaign medals for both the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola response. A Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, he remains a steadfast advocate for service members, veterans, and their families.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Suicide Clusters and Their Impact
Dr. Marietta’s service during the 2022 suicide clusters on the USS George Washington revealed how systemic stressors—long hours, poor living conditions, and isolation—compound personal struggles. His frontline perspective underscores the urgent need for proactive mental health resources.
The Human Cost of Military Service
Beyond combat, the everyday pressures of military life take a heavy toll. Marietta highlights how deployments, family separation, and operational tempo create invisible wounds that demand as much attention as physical injuries.
Systemic Challenges in Military Psychiatry
Even dedicated professionals face barriers within a complex system. Limited resources, stigma around mental health, and institutional inertia often prevent timely interventions, placing both patients and practitioners in untenable situations.
A Career of Service Across Branches
Marietta’s experience across the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Veterans Affairs illustrates the universality of these challenges. No branch is immune, and reforms must be holistic to address the needs of all who serve.
Hope Through Reflection and Reform
Despite the weight of these challenges, Marietta remains committed to change. His book and ongoing advocacy offer a blueprint for a future where mental health is seen not as weakness, but as essential to readiness and resilience.
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Dr. Robert Marietta’s journey reminds us that the battle for mental health is not fought in isolation. It is fought in hospitals, clinics, and command centers—and its outcomes affect not just individuals but entire units and families. His story is a call for greater compassion, resources, and systemic reform in military psychiatry.
The Stories of Service podcast continues to highlight voices that too often go unheard. In Dr. Marietta’s case, his perspective as both a healer and a veteran of the system underscores a powerful truth: caring for the mind is as vital as defending the body, and the covenant of service must include both.
Action Items ✔️
âś… Theresa Carpenter will continue to spotlight military mental health issues through Stories of Service.
âś… Dr. Marietta’s book Reflections of a Military Psychiatrist is available now through Koehler Books.
âś… Policymakers and leaders are urged to prioritize systemic reforms in military psychiatry.
âś… Listeners are encouraged to share this episode with veterans, service members, and families navigating the challenges of military life.
