A Gentleman and a Warrior

How many times have I seen bumper stickers around town demanding that every driver “Support Our Troops.” A sentiment, by the way, we should heed. Say what you will, but the bottom line is that our troops are fighting because they have been instructed to do. They believe in their mission, and believe in the country asking them to make the ultimate sacrifice. We have a volunteer force, and these troops have volunteered for a duty many people would not even consider taking themselves.

The New York Times reports today that many of our troops are suffering from unchecked and/or unmonitored Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While I knew it was a significant problem, I had many questions about the travesty.  Thankfully, the Rand Corporation offers some insight. It seems that the Washington big-wigs, both military and non-military, had many assumptions pre-Iraqi war. Assumptions. Imagine that. According to Rand, the first assumption was that “[m]any senior policymakers in government held a set of fairly optimistic assumptions about the conditions that would emerge after major combat concluded. These assumptions tended to override counterarguments held by officials elsewhere in the government.” Now this actually makes sense, if you have a mentality that conflict with Iraq in the 2000’s would be the same as conflict with Iraq in the 1990’s. That mentality hasn’t panned out too well. Rand furthers that “[s]enior military commanders assumed that civilian authorities would be responsible for the postwar period, a notion that focused the military’s efforts on planning for the invasion and the execution of combat operations.” At this point, it seems to me that squabbling over who is responsible for assisting troops in need is just stupid. People need help. Now.

The BBC published an article in 2005 that discusses, among other aspects of this illness, the need for immediate follow-up after a traumatic experience. In fact, the article specifically points out that victims should receive assistance within one month of such trauma. This is not happening. The New York Times article speaks of veterans who are not receiving assistance of any type, be it by choice or access. As a result, many are turning to alcohol and drugs as a way of making it through the day.  This choice is becoming deadly. A soldier from Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX, has been indicted for killing a woman will driving under the influence. It is the third such incident in Ft. Bliss in six months. As if this weren’t enough, the Pentagon estimates that as many as 20% of all Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans have problems with alcohol or drugs. The Army reports 115 suicides in its ranks last year alone.  Soldiers need help.  Now.  Why isn’t it happening?

There is something rotten in Washington.

It seems to me that caring for soldiers in need is the just and moral thing to do.  Providing necessary treatment for soldiers whose lives are under constant strain deserve the best our medical field has to offer. Why is this even a question? Yes, it is true that there is need all over the country for mental health services. And yes, access should be easier and more affordable. Soldiers, in my opinion, did not have much say in performing duties and following orders. We can have as many disagreements about the war and foreign policy and violence as we want, and indeed we should have them. But while we are doing so, soldiers need help now, not when we get around to it.  As the NYT points out, we cannot as soldier to be warriors in one minute and ladies and gentlemen the next unless we are willing to help them realize this ridiculous expectation.

It was Virgil who said, “Trust one who has gone through it.” Virgil was ahead of his time. It seems other soldiers who have “been through it” are able to help those who are struggling. American Combat Veterans of War are assisting those in need by doing something that our society does not seem to value as much as it should. How?  By seasoned veterans listening to recent veterans. The Christian Science Monitor points out that “[t]he approach is both simple and profound: Providing a safe, nonjudgmental place where someone who’s ‘been there’ can simply listen.” It seems to be working, and thank god for such support. I hope the rest of us can let those in power know that while we thank those who have gone through it for helping those with similar experiences, it is the ultimate responsibility of the government to help all of those suffering such afflictions. To not do so cheapens our government and dishonors those who value the honor of serving their country.