mTBI, PTSD and Stress (Catch All)

[Ken White]

Are these trends unique to Ft Campbell/101st? Or is it the tip of the spear for underlying Army-wide problems? Why are American soldiers dying by suicide and recklessness at rates at times higher than those killed in action? What can junior leaders do to mitigate these problems in their units?

both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. As Schmedlap says, sort of goes with the job. 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. All you can do is try to educate without hectoring or being condescending -- that'll just make 'em push harder.

Part of the problem is that we treat them like children so they act that way. Instead of punishing miscreants, we punish all by restrictive and corrosive measures so they get their petty revenge by doing dumb stuff. I suspect the Legions had the same problem with they younger troops -- but a 25 year enlistment probably kept some of that down...

[MikeF]

Just one comment to add to Schmedlap and Ken's wisdom.

A good leader has a feel for his boys. If you notice someone is "off," then you should engage him in an appropriate way particularly if an outgoing soldier has withdrawn.

This does not mean you lecture. Often, you might just need to listen. He may simply need to get something off his chest- problems at home, nightmares from a bad time in combat, whatever.

Part of that is just knowing your people.

v/r

Mike

[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

[Hacksaw]

both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. As Schmedlap says, Part of the problem is that we treat them like children so they act that way. Instead of punishing miscreants, we punish all by restrictive and corrosive measures so they get their petty revenge by doing dumb stuff. ...

Struck a chord Ken... Long ago in a battery far away... I used that approach...

Soldiers deserve to be treated (rewarded/disciplined) as men and women - Since we are all human, second chances are appropriate for offenses that don't warrant immediate dismissal... a third strike was not a given... of course we could administratively remove under-performing soldiers back then... point being... my Soldiers had the lowest DWI and serious incident rate in the Corps... when asked for our unit's "secret" and I explained why... The senior leaders were usually dissatisfied with the response.

Now I caveat.... I had to deal with long deployments with tax free dollars, but not the mental aftermath of close combat stress...