Military keeping traumatized soldiers in combat zones

[kpete]

Source: MSNBC


Military keeping traumatized soldiers in combat zones
Army says it's better to treat soldiers 'in theater,' others say it only helps stretched military

by HEIDI VOGT
updated 8/1/2010 12:23:44 PM ET


FORWARD OPERATING BASE BOSTICK, Afghanistan — Sgt. Thomas Riordan didn't want to return to Afghanistan after home leave. He had just fought through a battle that killed eight soldiers, and when he arrived home his wife said she was leaving. He almost killed himself that night.

When his psychologist asked what he thought he should do, Riordan said: Stay in Colorado.

Instead, the military brought Riordan back to this base in the eastern Afghan mountains, where mortar rounds sound regularly and soldiers have to wear flack jackets if they step outside their barracks before 8 a.m., even to go to the bathroom.

Increasingly, the Army is trying to treat traumatized soldiers "in theater" — where they're stationed. The idea is that soldiers will heal best if kept with those who understand what they've been through, rather than being dumped into a treatment center back in the States where they'll be surrounded by unfamiliar people and untethered from their work and routine.




Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38491838/ns/health-mental_health/

[formercia]

1. "untethered from their work and routine."

Can't let a dog off their chain, after all, they volunteered, as Darth would say.

[zenprole]

2. 4F with a smile

Yeah, "being dumped into a treatment center back in the States," where, however underfunded, the staff might have other priorities than putting them back in the line of fire...like helping a damaged human being become healthy again. What an outrageous thought.

This reminds me of a draft-avoidance tactic used during Vietnam. He sent back his notice to report to the local draft board after writing in the margins, in tiny print, the most psychotic, threatening, violent anti-military diatribe he could muster. (Apparently he meant it; it's a hard sell otherwise.) And he never heard from them again. This was on CounterPunch a few years back - sorry I can't find the link.

What was used to stay out of the military four decades ago just might be the only way to get out these days.