12.04.06
“Some People Are Just Weak”
Or: Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Soldiers
I have four friends, two uncles, and a cousin who are planning to serve or have served in the military. I know at least a score of people who have joined the military in some capacity. Consequently, this report infuriated me. I recommend that you listen to the audio report in addition to reading, as it contains more information. An investigation of mental health practices at Fort Collins, CO seems to indicate that the Army harasses and dishonorably discharges soldiers with mental health problems, especially PTSD. Support the troops, indeed.
I know that being in the military is one of our sacred cows of altruistic self-sacrifice. I have a great deal of respect for people who will lay down their lives for the benefit of other people. I couldn’t counsel anyone to join the military these days, though. The most likely path for enlistment to take seems to be rapid and repeated deployment to dangerous zones where even the civilians frequently despise you. Soldiers today are deployed more frequently than they were in World War II or Vietnam, and many of them return with stress disorders. Since it’s pretty apparent that the Army doesn’t support its troops with PTSD, the odds that you’ll be dishonorably discharged with little to no benefits seem far too high. It’s tragic that soldiers die in service. It’s a crime that the institution that risks their lives turns around and spits on them if they get a bit messed up in a war zone.