If asked to be sent back to fight in Iraq for another tour, would be willing to pay someone to shoot you in the knees just so you wouldn’t have to go? How about swallow a pen at the bus stop for the bus that you will be taking to base camp? Although you may not do something this extreme, this a real problem that more soldiers now than ever in history are having to deal with.
There are people who both support and condemn this country’s current war with Iraq and Afghanistan, and hopefully not Iran. Those who are against (which includes me, but you’ll figure that out on your own later), feel that we were deceived intentionally on the reason for war, and that the actual reason, which is revenge and oil, is definitely not worth the large number of soldier casualties, soldier injuries, and civilian deaths/injuries that we have sustained during our 5+ year occupation in the Middle East. But, how far would an activist go in order to not have to go to Iraq? Would they go as far as these experienced soldiers?
Some people, like those detailed in the intro, are taking extreme measures to not return for another tour of duty. They would do almost anything to not have to go back and I don’t know if I’d hire someone to shoot me, but I would not want to fight at all either. But I also have not seen the hell that is this or any war. Who are we to analyze the actions of those who are hired to kill other people? Can I really say that a mix of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the thought of being exposed to the stressor again is not enough to cause self-harm?
I think that this should be a huge red flag to our country that wars should not be fought and only cause harm. But this has been going on throughout history. Many WWI fighters came to camp with lost fingers and similar ailments. Problems also persisted in the widely unpopular Vietnam War, as well as the Korean War. But, stats show, this problem is the most prevalent today, in our current War on “Terror.”
Now, one could put forth the argument that through psychiatry and help, these problems could be solved. But that would just be a temporary problem for a long-standing problem. Instead, let’s change the cause of the problems instead of trying to fix the effects. Now, I do know that fighting will never be completely eliminated from the world, but let’s get a start. Let’s not fight wars to lower gas prices, to record record profits for our buddies in the oil industry and to get back at someone who tried to assassinate our Daddy. Instead, let’s make sure that we have a good reason to fight. And then make it quick. Along with these soldiers, I believe that another “100 years in Iraq” (John McCain) would not be a good idea. Thanks for reading and please comment/rate.
I had no idea that young soldiers were so opposed to being sent to Iraq. Going to such great lengths to not go should be an indication that maybe keeping our troops in Iraq is not the best choice for our country. Do our political leaders even care about the effect they are having on their own soldiers? Portraying that permanently injuring themselves is viewed as the only escape route these soldiers have?
Unfortunately, it seems the US is stuck in a tough situation now. It's not as simple as just brining all of the troops home and giving up, but something does need to be done to enable our soldiers to come home.
I am to the point where I believe that immediate departure of our troops from Iraq would be better than having what is going on right now continue. There would be bad effects, but in the end, Iraq would struggle through it and become an independent nation without the help of others. Sounds like a boost of nationalism to me...but our leaders are too closed minded to see possibilities like this.
And we don't notice these things as a government because we choose not to. Noone is against the Iraq war so why not start a new one in Iran?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/nharris1032
Young Soldiers are NOT so opposed to being sent to Iraq. And I for one am sick of being used as a political ploy for those who are against the war.
Do not get me wrong, there are legit cases of PTSD and TBI that require help, and there are those that are so affected by the war that they carry around those scars forever. This is a fact of war and nothing will change that. By all means, do all you can for those brave warriors who can legitimately no longer carry on with their service.
Along with that, understand that those Soldiers who are such affected do not deploy again (although many want to. I know that it would be hard for many civilians to comprehend this, but there is a bond that transcends fear and doubt that those who have fought and lost together share. It is a longing to be there when you are needed. To be willing to stand there and say, “You shall not go in my place, I will hold my own!”). I am not saying that we want to go. I do not want to be here, neither does anyone else I know. I want to hold my wife at night, play with my kids, be there for birthdays and Christmas. Yet I volunteered to return. Why, if you have to ask this question, you are incapable of understanding or accepting the answer. You hold your own needs and desires more closely to your heart than I could ever do. You will always need to hide behind me and speak on my behalf, smudging that which I willingly forfeit for someone else. To you I say DO NOT USE MY SERVICE, MY SACRIFICE, AND THE SACRIFICE THAT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN HAVE MADE AS YOUR POLITICAL SPEECH. You have not earned that right. You want to do that, come stand in my shoes. YOU come look at children who have been maimed by the terrorists that don’t really exist. YOU come talk to village elders who are starting to feel secure and safe for the first time in their life. YOU come see what happens when you teach a community how to farm and become self sufficient. YOU give medical treatment to a brother, sister, son or daughter, who would have died if not for the Soldier who gave his or her own blood for that person. YOU stand at attention, presenting honors to a fallen hero, American or otherwise and tell them that their sacrifice was for nothing. All because those who cannot and will not do what we can have decided that despite the incredible progress that we see, it is time to give up. Not for valid reasons that are defendable (do not get me wrong, there are intelligent arguments on both sides of the war that can be made), but because they need to save us.
Or if not, continue to live in your one dimensional world full of theory, since that typically helps! In either case, don’t speak on my behalf. You have not earned that right!
Hello,
I was intrigued by this blog and got the sense that you were extremely affected by the use of the media to transcend the line between irreverent soldiers like yourself, whom are proud to serve with their comrades, and those who would indeed inflict harm to avoid deployment.
From my research I have noticed that the percentage of soldiers that have inflicted harm to themselves to avoid deployment is a small percentage, however there are some extreme cases that require inquiry.
I am actually researching a story idea pitched at one of our meetings at PBS and this topic was brought up. I don't mean to solicite you, but you seem very committed expressing your discontent for the coverage of soldiers self-harming. I think you give interesting perspective and another aspect to the story that hasn't been analyzed in relation to this idea of soldiers self inflicted injuries. I am glad I read your blog response. I would be interested in speaking with you more about this issue...I can be reached at agales@kcet.org
Blessings and thank you for your service,
Alexandria
Hello Progressive U Bloggers,
I find this topic of considerable interest and as a journalist I think more attention needs to be placed on the length a soldier will go to avoid deployment to Iraq. Holistically, this may not be the case as one blogger mentioned and some are more than happy to serve their country. However, there is that other side to the story...
Those individuals, who for some reason or another, are willing to harm themselves to prevent deployment. Imagine the stigma attached to this type of avoidance to the war. These individuals will most likely receive a discharge and revocation of benefits.
I am interested in conducting an interview with an indivdual who has done just this...self harmed as a result of anxiety related to the fear of deployment. If anyone associated with this blog knows of anyone who can illustrate this story please contact me at PBS (323) 953-5365.