mTBI, PTSD and Stress (Catch All)

[Abu Suleyman]

I doubt much can be done without a significant improvement in the US K-12 educational system and / or better parenting, both of which are unlikely.

Wait, are you saying that our military is made up of people, just like the rest of society? And here all this time I thought the flaws in the military were a product of the fact that only the deranged and mentally incompetent got duped into joining.

[Schmedlap]

And here all this time I thought the flaws in the military were a product of the fact that only the deranged and mentally incompetent got duped into joining.

That's one way to put it, but the more accurate description is that they are downtrodden serfs who had no other options in life. Furthermore, they are mentally fragile and the inherent immorality of the war (made so by it being sold with lies in order to enrich oil men) caused these mentally fragile victims to do things like suffer PTSD and commit suicide in droves - almost at a rate as high as suicide rates in other developed countries. Had they not been born to poor families with low IQs, they would have gone to an Ivy League school and gotten a REAL job, selling mortgage backed securities.

[Ken White]

What is this 'real job' stuff -- not I, not I...

[MikeF]

Schmedlap,

I've gone through the effects of PTSD and TBI. I've been very open about the horrors and the crazyness in SWJ as an example...I don't like the categorization and labeling of the psychologists, but at the same time, don't minimalize something you haven't experienced. It sucks.

It doesn't make you a victim; it's just something to deal with.

For what it's worth.

v/r

Mike

[Schmedlap]

Mike,

I was simply highlighting that many assert that PTSD and suicides are not natural injuries resulting from combat, but rather that they are directly attributable to George Bush and Dick Cheney and that poorly educated individuals are portrayed as more vulnerable (and, of course, all of us who joined the Army are poorly educted).

Sorry if my sarcasm wasn't obvious. Probably a good reminder that I should refrain from trying.

[MikeF]

Mike,

I was simply highlighting that many assert that PTSD and suicides are not natural injuries resulting from combat, but rather that they are directly attributable to George Bush and Dick Cheney and that poorly educated individuals are portrayed as more vulnerable (and, of course, all of us who joined the Army are poorly educted).

Sorry if my sarcasm wasn't obvious. Probably a good reminder that I should refrain from trying.

and no offense taking...Three years ago, I would have probably replied the same way you did- until I went through it. To say it sucked is an understatement- I went through a period where my life was torn apart, and I thought I'd gone crazy. B/c of my rank and experience, I chose to be public about it to help others. In truth, I'm actually harsher on the subject than you are with those that fake or use it as a crutch. The mental health of the boys (as well as our own national defense) should be apolitical.

I'm working on an article right now for Newsweek to try and explain PTSD from my vantage point. Hopefully, it'll be published. I'll keep y'all informed.

In the end, it's just part of life...sometimes, you just have to take a knee, pull out your map and compass to regain your direction, drink some water, and drive on....it's that simple.

v/r

Mike

[Michael C]

MikeF, it is needed for officers to explain their situation so the problem becomes real and not one just for psychologists.

As to this issue in its entirety, I blame the high op tempo when soldiers return. I know, deployment is bad, but when your battalion/brigade returns stateside and every single officer and senior NCO is replaced, then suddenly you are back to non-stop training. The higher officers all stress that they want to bring home every one, but in the mean time they drive wedges between families and the health of their men by going to the field for a week or two at a time, even when you are three months removed from combat.