Troops struggle with PTSD

soundoff (6 Responses)

1. ruth
   

   please read.

   July 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
2. Proud_Veteran
   

   My condolences goes out to the families of these fallen Soldiers as well as the Soldier who commited this act, sorry to say but he too is a casualty of war. Although I don't know his background, i'm sure he is suffering some sort of combat stress or PTSD. I myself served two deployments to Iraq and have been diagnosed with severe PTSD and other disabling physical conditions. I have been to a physical evaluation board and was rated temporary disabled for my PTSD condition which started right after my first deployment in 2005. Service members in all branches have honorabaly served, some have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our nation and the citizens of other nations. They, we need to be given the proper help and medical attention required and be fairly treated and not used for political agendas that benefit po;itical carreers. We served when our nation called, now let our nation serve us when we call and seek help.

   May 12, 2009 at 6:40 pm |
3. asoldier
   

   I have a simple question,
   How can a high ranking official in Washing D.C. order doctors at Walter Reed to Limit PTSD as Temporary instead of permenant on a Medical Board Evaluation?

   How can that higher up at Washington D.C. know what exposure of PTSD does the soldier take from the battle fileld and to their home?

   Does this higher up at D.C. even knows that it's illegal for him to tell a medical professional on how to do their job?

   Can someone from CNN question the Doctors at walter Reed, and find out who gave such order to screw the soldier?

   Like my fellow soldiers who spend their lives serving their country in harms ways and coming home injured and mentally screwed the then prosecuted for practicing on what they are trained for, and being alert in keeping others safe and focusing on their fellow soldiers.

   Medical Board reports has been coming in from Walter Reed as Temporary status in stead of permanent for PTSD because the doctors who review the reports were ordered from Washington D.C. not to give out permanent status on PTSD.

   May 12, 2009 at 3:53 pm |
4. Phillip Blount
   

   This is tragic for the soldiers involved, but for America a case of the chickens coming home to roost. The policies of Geogre W. Bush and his administration are the cause of this tragedy, and we can expect more of the same if President Obama let these sick policies remain in place. If America want an unlimited supply of combat soldiers then they should implement a draft. The few patriots serving this country in the military is a drop in the bucket compared to the national population. These few patriots are being abused still under the Bush policies, some of them are on their third, fourth, fifth and who knows how many tours of duty in a combat zone. We didn't do that in Veitnam, 12 months was an average tour unless you volunteered to go back. America needs to take care of it's military and veterans better than it's doing now. Without us few real patriots this country will not be protected with the likes of these loud mouth politicians and radio personalities who never served a day in their lives protecting this country and are the main war mongoring idealogues. #%&*@!

   May 12, 2009 at 10:35 am |
5. Sharon
   

   PTSD! I have never been to war but I have suffered a Trauma that resulted in PTSD. I really feel for that young person. The nightmares, feeling of insecurity,paranoia are all systoms, having them in an environment your familar with is hard enough, having these systoms in a hositle region, daily death is a reality,paranoia is encouraged to perserve life,family and friends to far to lean on. The is a recipe for calamity. My heart goes out to all the victms and the victimizer

   May 12, 2009 at 9:33 am |
6. Patrick Hayes
   

   I'm a Vietnam Veteran who is 100% service-connected disabled with complex PTSD.

   The same old problem of being viewed as crazy is holding back career minded soldiers from speaking out.

   No commander wants a 'shaky soldier' on the line; it's not callous insensitivity by the commander, it's simply common sense to put your best men on the line.

   Increase the numbers of councilors, psychologists trained in ptsd to catch the symptoms, and not put it on the soldier to 'out himself' out of a job.

   May 12, 2009 at 9:03 am |