Women, Older Troops Dying at Record Rates in Iraq; 2x as Many Children per Casualty Lose a Parent

[demobabe]

Women and Older Troops Dying at Record Rates in Iraq; Twice as Many Children per Casualty Lose a Parent than in Vietnam

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

Last week, Marine Captain Jennifer Harris was buried in her hometown of Swampscott, PA. She was killed when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq.

Though the loss of all human life throughout this war - American, Coalition, and Iraqi civilian - is equally tragic, Harris' death is a reminder that our losses have come from across the demographic spectrum.

Harris was the 75th female coalition servicemember to die in Iraq even though women are still technically barred from combat roles; incidentally, another woman died the same day from hostile fire in an unrelated battle. Of the 3419 total coalition casualties, women make up more than 2 percent. Only 8 of the 58,193 American fatalities in Vietnam were female.


While many tend to think of our soldiers as all male, we also often think they are mostly young. Indeed, 28 18-year-olds and 199 19-year-olds died during their deployments. But 23 men and one woman were at least 50 when they were killed, a percentage of total casualties nearly four times higher than in Vietnam.

Read more here: http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/185

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. and how many kids are left in limbo

as BOTH parents are deployed to theater? I read about one couple who REQUESTED the assignment, but I don't doubt that others have had it happen. But even if the parents "switch off", it has got to be traumatizing to the kids to know that one parent or the other is in harm's way.

Another question: are any military kids in foster care because their single parent is deployed?

We know how PTSD effects troops--is there a domestic version of stress disorder that might be effecting their kids?

[demobabe]

2. I can't even imagine

So many of the injuries sustained by troops are worse than in Vietnam from what I've heard, too. Head injuries from explosions... I can only imagine what many of these kids have to deal with going forward even if a parent returns with injuries or PTSD.

[Solly Mack]

3. Soldiers must have what is called a "care plan"

that establishes who cares for children/ other dependents such as an older parent or a spouse in need of supervised care (for whatever reasons)


I was the guardian of a spouse when her husband was deployed for example. She had mental health issues that required someone check on her daily, make sure she took her meds, and drive her to doctor appointments. She was prone to hurting herself...not a fun year. My husband was deployed at the same time.

A care plan states who the children will be living with during your deployment...if you have a spouse it is assumed your spouse will be...if not married, you must name someone as their legal guardian.

Overseas, however, the military runs its own foster program. Deployed soldiers leave their kids with other military families, who do go through training. Some opt to send their kids back to the states to live with family though.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Thanks,

you eased my worries a bit. But as you said, it cannot be a fun year for the families or the caregivers. Don't the caregivers feel the stress of repeated re-deployments? And are Guardsmen also required to have this care plan, or only the regulars?

[Solly Mack]

5. Yes, NG also have care plans..supposed to anyway

Repeated deployments are hard on all involved. Everything changes...your entire life is rearranged to meet the needs.


I think it is easier for military families who foster other military families simply because we know how it works. We understand the system better and we know the ins and outs...plus by staying with another military family, the children remain in their school, among their friends,within the same health care system, and an environment they are accustomed to...less disruption means less additional stress.