02-05-2013, 05:31 PM
If you've been exposed to environments where human life is snuffed out right before your eyes, and you were able to witness it, it will change you. Plenty of combat arms soldiers throughout history have had symptoms of PTSD. In WWII, most of the units deployed, re-fitted, and returned together on troop ships. After the cessation of combat actions, they re-organized, shipped out together, and were able to de-compress over a lengthy period of time on large vessels, taking up to 2 weeks sometimes to return home.
This time period allowed unit leaders and more mature servicemen the opportunity to counsel and mentor those who were really shook-up, while being able to deal with the horrors themselves. Men who shared friends that were now gone could discuss the memories of the fallen, and seal their existing bonds even deeper. Those who questioned their actions in combat, suffering from survivor's guilt or leadership decisions that led to the death of others could be reassured by their brethren that nobody faulted them for them. Many leaders took this time to write letters to the family members of their fallen soldiers, following up after official command notification letters. Upon entering the various harbors that dot the US coastlines, they returned with honor to massive parades with crowds of people, confetti, celebration, and kisses from the women. One can only imagine the sense of love of country they felt to be honored and adored by their people, waiting for them with flowers and open arms.
In Contrast:
During Vietnam, the Pentagon had the insane and misguided policy of deploying many soldiers as individuals, with their own year-long deployment quota. They would return alone, often with 24-48 hours of having been in direct contact with the enemy, now absent from their brothers, left to their own devices to deal with post-warzone symptoms that are natural for anyone to experience.
To add insult to injury, the enemy within and their useful idiots who had been thoroughly indoctrinated by their professors, communist agitators, and spineless hippies, were there waiting for them at home to condemn them, verbally assault them, and even physically attack them with feces, calling them "baby killers". They would maybe be out for breakfast at a diner, only to see guys like John Kerry on TV throwing his medals at the Capitol Building in D.C., while overhearing other customers making uninformed statements about the war, referring to the effort as a "waste of time", "waste of lives", etc.
Where were the parades that their fathers and uncles had come home to? Where were the women with flowers and kisses? Where was the time to decompress with their brothers-in-arms?
Chris Kyle dedicated his life to providing service to his brothers-in-arms, to help them deal with the demons of war that follow men home. He died as he lived, extending his time and talents to help others. He's a genuinely good dude, and shall be remembered as such. For those of you who have sacrificed so much for our precious Nation and people's around the world who faced the boot of tyranny, and didn't receive the recognition you're owed, know that there are plenty of us who are indebted to you and know somewhat of the contributions you have made.
This time period allowed unit leaders and more mature servicemen the opportunity to counsel and mentor those who were really shook-up, while being able to deal with the horrors themselves. Men who shared friends that were now gone could discuss the memories of the fallen, and seal their existing bonds even deeper. Those who questioned their actions in combat, suffering from survivor's guilt or leadership decisions that led to the death of others could be reassured by their brethren that nobody faulted them for them. Many leaders took this time to write letters to the family members of their fallen soldiers, following up after official command notification letters. Upon entering the various harbors that dot the US coastlines, they returned with honor to massive parades with crowds of people, confetti, celebration, and kisses from the women. One can only imagine the sense of love of country they felt to be honored and adored by their people, waiting for them with flowers and open arms.
In Contrast:
During Vietnam, the Pentagon had the insane and misguided policy of deploying many soldiers as individuals, with their own year-long deployment quota. They would return alone, often with 24-48 hours of having been in direct contact with the enemy, now absent from their brothers, left to their own devices to deal with post-warzone symptoms that are natural for anyone to experience.
To add insult to injury, the enemy within and their useful idiots who had been thoroughly indoctrinated by their professors, communist agitators, and spineless hippies, were there waiting for them at home to condemn them, verbally assault them, and even physically attack them with feces, calling them "baby killers". They would maybe be out for breakfast at a diner, only to see guys like John Kerry on TV throwing his medals at the Capitol Building in D.C., while overhearing other customers making uninformed statements about the war, referring to the effort as a "waste of time", "waste of lives", etc.
Where were the parades that their fathers and uncles had come home to? Where were the women with flowers and kisses? Where was the time to decompress with their brothers-in-arms?
Chris Kyle dedicated his life to providing service to his brothers-in-arms, to help them deal with the demons of war that follow men home. He died as he lived, extending his time and talents to help others. He's a genuinely good dude, and shall be remembered as such. For those of you who have sacrificed so much for our precious Nation and people's around the world who faced the boot of tyranny, and didn't receive the recognition you're owed, know that there are plenty of us who are indebted to you and know somewhat of the contributions you have made.