When I read the milblog posts, I wasn’t so sure what to think. I honestly don’t think our guys should be over there fighting as it were, and from the sounds of it, they don’t exactly like it there either. The hardest thing for me to read was the nightmares. Many of the posts were about nightmares they have. One man outright stated he and many others suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and they aren’t getting any help! The U.S. government promised that they would have programs for them to help them with that, but it isn’t happening.
The nightmares and PTSD hit me on a personal level only because I have the same problem. It’s just caused by something else. In that sense I can really relate to what our guys are dealing with, and the fact that they don’t even have help available to them for it is horrifying. They need that counseling, and some even need medication. It’s sad to hear their stories about friends who have been killed and how they have nightmares about it.
It’s also sad in the fact that they can’t live like they used to before the conflict. Many have had relationships go bad because they were gone. They have different personalities and how they live is different than before. The change from soldier to civilian is hard for many of them. Unfortunately, there’s no plan to help them get re-integrated into the civilian lifestyle. They have to do it themselves. I think it’s wrong to send them somewhere, make them hard killers who are put at such stressful levels some kind of damage is always done, and then ship them back to the U.S. and expect them to make friendly again all by themselves.
The whole thing is just wrong.
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8 comments:
your post Mandy is all about "empathy" thanks; we'll talk about this tonight.
that's a great picture on your profile by the way Mandy - compliment the photographer for me please.
exactly how i feel! our soldiers do not need to be over there!! get them home to their families before we continue to lose soldier after soldier. damage has already been done to some of them, but it needs to stop. your post was very well written. nicely said.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one unaware of what to expect from the milblogs. Although I don't agree with everything that you said it is always engaging to hear someone with another veiwpoint. Nicely done.
i completely agree with you. i may be against this war, but i still support our soldiers, and my heart goes out to them and their families. hopefully they will make it safely home...soon.
I agree with both you and Nikita. Our soliders do not need to be over there, and it is sickening to think that they go through life changing situations and they don't recieve any help to get them though it. I only hope they all make it home safe.
It would be nice if you'd link the particular milblogs you're talking about. There are thousands out there and my job entails me to read several hundred a day, and granted there are some that say they want to come home, who wouldn't it's 140 degree sandpit over there and they have to where 60lbs of armour on top of that, They've seen things that we'll never see, but even so most milblogs I've read have stated they want to complete the mission, they want victory so their fellow brothers in arms did not die in vain.
It's impossible not to be changed by going to war, many coming home are experiencing some form of PTSD, but to say there are no programs to help them with PTSD or reintegration is untrue. It would really be nice if you would do a little research before saying such things.
First off, Soldiers (Army), GI's (all branches of service) are trained heavly during their pre and post deployment, on symptoms of PTSD to look for, in themselves or in their comrades.
There is a free 24-hour service, provided by the Department of Defense, it's available to all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. Services include consultation online or by telephone, with referral for free face-to-face counseling sessions, on issues including reunion and reintegration, to a professional in their community, to medicines prescribed. They can reach the program by calling toll-free 1-800-342-9647 or through the Web site at Military One Source
The biggest problem is Soldiers beleive their careers are endangered if they seek medical help, this is not so, some are even embarressed to ask for help because they don't want to be thought of as week. They MUST SEEK the help that is readily available to them.
They can contact Military One Source; Family Wellness or Family Support Program, Chaplains, unit command channel, medical channels, and the VA can also provide immediate attention or assist with access to care. The PDHRA (Post-Deployment Health Reassessment) provides a more formal review as well as access to care—this is available for active and separated Reservists.
Battlemind Training: Continuing the Transition Home is training that was developed by Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. This module is designed to be administered at 3-6 months post-deployment as part of the PDHRA. Note that there is also a phase 1 training designed to be given immediately at redeployment.
Like I said it is up to the GI to seek the help, a comrade or family member can only suggest the help for them.
I've been a military spouse for 23 years, lived in several countries(one was third world country),I've been thru 3 TDY assignments (husband gone for 2-3 mos) and 2 going on 3 deployments to Iraq. Stating that these troops are not getting help THAT is wrong.
Mrs Greyhawk
MilBlog Ring Manager
www.mudvillegazette.com/milblogs
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