Solider's Toughest Battle at Home

By: Mary Walsh
Topics: Field Notes

(CBS)

Mary Walsh is a producer covering National Security for CBS News in Washington, DC.

In his four years in the Marines Nick Stefanovic deployed on combat missions three times - twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. He survived when others didn't, including his best friend. It was a loss so grievous Nick could not find words for it.

Nick came back from war and lost his way in his old neighborhood. Rochester, NY didn't feel like home anymore. How could a guy who jumped at every loud noise fit in with the old crowd? How could he sleep when every time he drifted off there were nightmares? How could he find a way to be normal again?

One night one of Nick's friends offered a way: Oxycontin. The anxiety vanished; the nightmares went away. Nick's parents thought he was getting over his combat trauma, but he was actually becoming a full blown addict. It wasn't long before he was arrested and standing before a judge.

That was 10 months ago and since then, Nick's been putting his life back together. It has not been easy. He's determined to make it work -- he has a job, attends Bible study classes and helps coach high school basketball.

It's a steady road back and when CBS News came calling, asking him to tell his painful story, Nick's mother begged him to say no. The last thing Nick needed now, his mom said, was to add to the stress by going public with a story about drugs and trouble with the law. The last thing he needed was to sit down in front of a CBS News camera and talk to correspondent David Martin about his journey from United States Marine to accused felon.

But Nick Stefanovic wasn't just thinking of himself when he agreed to a risky interview about his problems. He went on national television to speak on behalf of other veterans who lived through the fighting only to succumb to demons afterwards. The experts call their bouts with booze and drugs "self-medicating" and that's probably a good way to call it.

What Nick Stefanovic did when he put his story out there for all to see is something I call courage -- moral courage. Most of us have never had to summon the physical courage that combat requires, but all of us can understand what it takes to open up a dark part of your life to public scrutiny.

As for mom, there wasn't a moment when we were with Nick that she wasn't right there watching us with an eagle eye. The judge gave Nick a second chance by offering him rehabilitation instead of prison, but Nick's mother gave him the strength to take that chance.

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by Amanda_30 April 12, 2010 7:55 PM EDT: As a spouse of a United States Warrant Officer (12 years) I can honestly see why a soldier or marine may not want to go on. If you have not been in the military, watch a documentary called "Brothers at War" by Jake Rademacher and the movie "Hurt Locker". These 2 films have honestly helped me understand what my husband and many others have been through and what they have to live with the rest of there lives. I too wish that more judges would see and realize what is going on. You people who have not been affiliated with the military or seen what really goes on when a soldier comes home from work and self medicates himself with a case of beer every night should keep your unexperienced and non-educated opinions to yourselves. ~Pray for our nation ~; Reply to this comment


by worldcitizen1 March 3, 2010 8:49 PM EST: I had a friend who came back from Vietnam, paralyzed and mentally unbalanced, he was treated like **** by the VA!; Reply to this comment

by natureguy25 March 3, 2010 12:46 PM EST

There is a difference in soldier and Marine. A marine is not a soldier and a soldier is definitely NOT a Marine. Marines are very sensitive to this because we don't like being lumped into the same catagory as the Army because the differnces between them are like night and day. Marine is a title that is earned and never given or assumed. Please give our Marines recognition for the title they bare as they have earned every right to it since Nov. 10, 1775.

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by worldcitizen1 March 3, 2010 8:39 PM EST: Bulshit!


by mpdimarco March 2, 2010 9:28 PM EST: Could the editor please spell the word 'Soldier' correct in the title? It is not 'Solider'.; Reply to this comment


by Arami7262 March 2, 2010 12:31 PM EST: The title of the article should be changed. A marine is not a soldier, nor a soldier a marine! You wouldn't call a sailor a soldier. I'm surprised he didn't say anything about it.

And thank you For writing this, people need to become aware of what's going on.; Reply to this comment


by ormom March 2, 2010 11:55 AM EST: Thank you for this story. My son goes to court again this week. He needs treatment not to be in jail. Wish more judges would see this and realize what these vets are going through. It happened with our Vietnam vets and now OEF vets...... please help them...; Reply to this comment


by tcsandoval March 1, 2010 11:53 PM EST: THANK YOU SO MUCH Katie(Miss Couric) for looking out for our Vets. They get so little attention/praise/recognition for what/how they do what they do. I am confused/perplexed that so much attention given to movie "The Hurt Locker" & it's director & so little attention given to actual people who are doing the job or have done the job.
Love your reporting, love you on Twitter(yopapi)& keep o doing what you do you do it well.
Call me for an In-N-Out burger next time in LA.; Reply to this comment


by redneckcop March 1, 2010 7:40 PM EST: to cabaraoke, as a vet, why would I want to hear about a vet taking his life. I would hope more vets get the counseling they need. It's sad that some vets do take their life. suicide is not a cure you idiot. suicide does'nt take away the family members pain that lingers afterward. I've got a cure for you. commit suicide dumba**!!!; Reply to this comment


by redneckcop March 1, 2010 7:38 PM EST: to cabaraoke, as a vet, why would I want to hear about a vet taking his life. I would hope more vets get the counseling they need. It's sad that some vets do take their life. suicide is not a cure you idiot. suicide does'nt take away the family members pain that lingers afterward. I've got a cure for you. commit suicide dumba**!!!; Reply to this comment