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 Greetings! You are reading an article from The Mudville Gazette. To reach the front page, with all the latest news and views, click the logo above or "main" below. Thanks for stopping by! March 1, 2005 Coming HomeBy GreyhawkWhen does leave no man behind stop mattering? When the chartered plane carrying them to Utah from Fort Carson, Colo., had no room for a few of their comrades, the 30 Army Reserve soldiers of a Utah National Guard unit opted for an all-night bus ride rather than leaving two or three members behind to find their own transportation home. Awesome story. The Christian Science Monitor has a good one too. The story of the first homecomings for elements of the 1st Cav. It's been a long road home for soldiers from Fort Hood's 1st Cavalry Division. They said goodbye two Christmases ago, and lives have changed in the meantime. Babies have been born. Siblings have graduated. Parents have retired. The story illustrates that some things change with time: Indeed, many here say they understand the mission of the United States and support it - unlike 30 years ago when troops returned home from Vietnam to a very angry and fractured nation. While some things will never change. And those things are the stresses that every returning GI will feel. My personal toughest spot in transitioning so far has been a fairly sleepless night just before my first day back at work. I can tell you exactly what was bugging me - I was leaving behind a situation where what I was doing was front page news, was directly shaping the history of the world, was sometimes dangerous and sometimes exciting. But that was over now, and I was returning to something a little less intense, a lot more like a nine-to-five office job - a lot more routine. I have no doubt what I prefer (probably exactly the opposite of most sane people!) but duty is duty and I'll be fine. Jersey Cowboy and Questing Cat are back in Germany too, and seem to be doing okay. We are sitting through a multitude of soporific briefings. The longest is of course our day 2, our ?Don?t beat your wife or girlfriend or kids while drinking all the beer in Schweinfurt and contemplating killing yourself? day. We receive chaplains brief on combat stress and strains in our lives. Like me they're in Germany - and surrounded by family, friends, and brothers-in-arms who've been through much of what they have. But other folks are having tougher times. Sminklemeyer was In Iraq for 365 It?s the same nightmare every time? I?m in the town of Avgoni on an operation. We?re moving through the woods. Then shots are fired. A soldier next to me is hit in the neck. I try to help him, but it?s hopeless. He?s lost too much blood as he goes into shock. In the dream, I can feel somebody watching me even as the medics move and a platoon secures a perimeter for a helicopter. The kid is young, maybe 20, and I just look into his lifeless blue eyes while the medics move him to the evacuation point. I feel like I?m invisible and nobody in the dream seems to recognize me or realize I?m standing there with a camera and an M-16. Everybody leaves. And then I am back at the Palace, where again I feel invisible. At my desk is a CD with Arabic writing. I pop it into my laptop, and it?s a video of me. He's getting help. I?ve never been to a shrink before, but I?m not ashamed or afraid. I just don?t want to deal with it 10 years from now. I survived a war, and I?m going to make damn sure I survive peace. And there's a message there for anyone coming home - and I applaud him for sharing it. (You can offer encouragement here.) That step forward took at least as much guts as daily operations in Iraq, a courage of a different sort. If you or someone you know isn't adjusting well to the home front lifestyle, get help. It's there for you and no one will think less of you for seeking it. If you really aren't comfortable speaking to medical folks or those in your chain of command, see the Chaplain first. Even if you aren't the same religion these guys are trained counselors, they can help you or find someone who can, and they are one of the few people you can talk to who aren't required to tell your chain of command everything you say. Likewise if you're a relative of someone who seems to be having a hard time coping but who won't seek help, visit the Chaplain and let them know your concerns. Do not wait! Do not become a statistic! The folks returning from Iraq have accomplished great things, at great personal cost. Initially, the 1st Cavalry Division was scheduled to come back before Christmas 2004, but were asked to stay through the Iraqi elections to provide security. That request took the hardest toll on the families, says Swick. And that was a great way to close out the tour of duty. Mission accomplished - job well done. Hold your heads high and don't let a tragic postscript spoil the happy ending. Here's the answer to the question we started this with: When does "leave no man behind" stop mattering? Never. Posted by Greyhawk / March 1, 2005 8:22 PM | Permalink 8 Comments |
November 26, 2010America@war [Greyhawk]
I think anyone who's ever pondered the "comment" option - once only available on blogs and bulletin boards, now ubiquitous on almost any web site - will appreciate this:
The so-called faculty of writing is not so much a faculty of writing as it is a faculty of thinking. When a man says, "I have an idea but I can't express it"; that man hasn't an idea but merely a vague feeling. If a man has a feeling of that kind, and will sit down for a half an hour and persistently try to put into writing what he feels, the probabilities are at least 90 percent that he will either be able to record it, or else realize that he has no idea at all. In either case, he will do himself a benefit. That's wisdom from the past, captured for posterity at the US Naval Institute, shared via the web on the institute's 137th anniversary. From their about page:
"The Naval Institute has three core activities," among them, History and Preservation: The Naval Institute also has recently introduced Americans at War, a living history of Americans at war in their own words and from their own experiences. These 90-second vignettes convey powerful stories of inspiration, pride, and patriotism. Take a look at the collection, and you'll see it's not limited to accounts from those who served on ships at sea, members of the other branches are well-represented. I'm fortunate to have met USNI's Mary Ripley, she's responsible for the institute's oral history program (and she's the daughter of the late John Ripley, whose story is told here). She also deserves much credit for their blog. ("We're not the Navy nor any government agency. Blog and comment freely.") We met at a milblog conference - Mary knew (and I would come to realize) that milbloggers are the 21st-century version of exactly what the US Naval Institute is all about. Once that light bulb came on in my head, I mentioned a vague idea for a project to her - milblogs as the 21st century oral history that they are. "Put that in writing," she said (of course - see first paragraph above!) - and here's part of the result. Shortly after the first tent was pitched by the American military in Iraq a wire was connected to a computer therein, and the internet was available to a generation of Americans at war - many of whom had grown up online. From that point on, at any given moment, somewhere in Iraq a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine was at a keyboard sharing the events of his or her day with the folks back home. While most would simply fire off an email, others took advantage of the (then) relatively new online blogging platforms to post their thoughts and experiences for the entire world to see. The milblog was born - and from that moment to this stories detailing everything from the most mundane aspects of camp life to intense combat action (often described within hours of the event) have been available on the web... And et cetera - but since you're reading this on a milblog, you probably knew that. And you know that milblogs aren't just blogs written by troops at war, that many friends, family members, and supporters likewise documented their story of America at war online in near-real time, as those stories developed. The diversity in membership of that group is broad, the one thing we all have in common is the impulse to make sense of the seemingly senseless, and communicate the tale - for each of us that impulse was strong enough to overcome whatever barriers prevent the vast majority of people from doing the same. Everyone at some point has some vague idea they believe should be shared - we were the people who, from some combination of internal and external urging, found and spent those many half hours persistently trying to write it down. But where will all that be in another 137 years? Or five or ten, for that matter. That's something I've asked myself since at least 2004 - when I wrote this:
Membership in the ghost battalion has grown in the years since, and an ever growing majority of those abandoned-but-still-standing sites are vanishing. Have you checked out Lt Smash's site lately? How about Sgt Hook's? If you're a long-time milblog reader you know the first widely-read milblog from Operation Iraq Freedom and the first widely-read milblog from Afghanistan are both gone from the web. If you're a relative newcomer to this world you may never even have heard of them - or the dozens upon dozens of others who carried forth the standard they set down. If you have a vague notion that something should be done about that, (a notion I've heard expressed more than once...) then you and I and the good folks at the US Naval Institute are in agreement. Preserving the history documented by the milbloggers is just one of the goals of the milblog project, the once-vague idea that we're now making real. And it's a big idea, if I say so myself - too big to explain in one simple blog post, so stand by for more. Likewise, it's too big a task to be accomplished by just one person. So if you're a milblogger (and exactly what is a milblogger? is a topic for much further discussion on its own) I'm asking for your help. All I'll really need is just a little bit (maybe just one or two of those half hours...) of your time, and your willingness to tell the tale. We've already made history, it's time to save it. (More to follow...) Posted 4:02 PM | Permalink |
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The Mudville Gazette is the on-line voice of an American warrior and his wife who stands by him. They prefer to see peaceful change render force of arms unnecessary. Until that day they stand fast with those who struggle for freedom, strike for reason, and pray for a better tomorrow.
 
 
 Furthermore, I will occasionally use satire or parody herein. The bottom line: it's my house. I like having visitors to my house. I hope you are entertained. I fight for your right to free speech, and am thrilled when you exercise said rights here. Comments and e-mails are welcome, but all such communication is to be assumed to be 1)the original work of any who initiate said communication and 2)the property of the Mudville Gazette, with free use granted thereto for publication in electronic or written form. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email. Original content copyright © 2003 - 2011 by Greyhawk. Fair, not-for-profit use of said material by others is encouraged, as long as acknowledgement and credit is given, to include the url of the original source post. Other arrangements can be made as needed. Contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com  Tending Distant Far from hearth and home, watching What tales we'll tell When things grim Some distant sunset, vision fading Saluting fallen friends whose names - Greyhawk, Baghdad, December 2004 |
Considering what happened to us in 1AD after we TOA'd with 1Cav and then didn't leave, I know those folks had that in the back of their mind when they heard "extension". To their credit, many 1 CAv sister units really stepped up to help us get mission ready until we could get our early return gear back. I hope that we can keep a decent rotation schedule for OIF 3.
As for getting help, it may take time to realize that you have problems, only after 6 months back do I really have time to analyze it all, and look at where I might have issues.
Don't forget to look into the Operation Homecoming writing project, vets need to tell their stories now, not 40 years from now.
Considering what happened to us in 1AD after we TOA'd with 1Cav and then didn't leave, I know those folks had that in the back of their mind when they heard "extension". To their credit, many 1 Cav sister units really stepped up to help us get mission ready until we could get our early return gear back. I hope that we can keep a decent rotation schedule for OIF 3, or is it 4?.
As for getting help, it may take time to realize that you have problems, only after 6 months back do I really have time to analyze it all, and look at where I might have issues.
Don't forget to look into the Operation Homecoming writing project, vets need to tell their stories now, not 40 years from now.
First, let me say thank you for bringing attention to the matter. There are way too many people who suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) who, had they received help during the first days, weeks or even months of the onset would have, in most cases, come to grips with the situation and gone on with their lives. We're not just talking soldiers, but, in times of war, they top the list. it can be anyone that suffers an overtly traumatic moment or a long period of time when your life is constantly in danger.
But, PTSS (Post traumatic stress syndrome) isn't often not recognized as anything other than simple stress.
PTSD is the chronic disorder or phase and PTSS is the short term onset.
My father and uncle were both diagnosed late with PTSD. My father was a police veteran for 21 years and my uncle a Vietnam Vet.
I can tell you that the first item of business is acceptance. People are afraid to say that something bothers them because they are afraid to appear weak in the eyes of loved ones, particularly when they may have always been the stronger partner, looked up to or in a position of authority. They may feel that admitting it weakens that position or diminishes them in the eyes of their loved ones.
Of course, it's never true. When somebody loves you, it is usually unconditionally, but I have seen PTSD victims have a high rate of divorce and, yes, unfortunately, violent tendencies.
I don't want to take up your entire comment section about it, but I do want to say that talking with someone about it is the first step. It brings it out in the open. It diminishes the fears ability to control you. You are in control.
Thank you again for making this a topic of a post.
How can those of use who support our troops, but are not related to any one help.
Does our physicial support help, be it letters or other forms of help?
Greyhawk, I hope you'll address this, if ycu can, for all those of us who have supported and will continue to support those now home who need it.
God Bless our Troops and Keep Them Safe.
Cheryl
Saw "Soldier's Heart" on Frontline tonight. It helped this civilian better understand the stress our military men and women experience and that some need help dealing with their emotions, but find it hard to let others know they are in "trouble". The DOD has implemented a program to check back with returnees after they've been back for several weeks to hopefully catch those that need additional help.
My son served in Desert Storm and saw some gruesome sights. He has never discussed his experience in depth with me and I have never detected he has ever had a problem with it.
His uncle, who served in peacetime, has mentioned that my son has shared with him. The sharing "man to man" "military to military" was probably good medicine even if he "didn't need it".
1st Cav arrived the same time as I did last year, I remember staying in the tent next to them in Kuwait, have a save trip home everyone, I'll be joining you soon.
THANK YOU for the reminder to folks about Chaplains. In addition to the training we have and confidentiality standard we operate under, I would like to offer two to other observations.
1) Unlike psychiatrists who are often hospital-bound, Chaplains operate more like field medics or corpsmen, trying to go out among the guys in the field as much as possible. Army Chaplains especially operate this way, being tied to specific battalians that are deployed in the field. Air Force Chaplains work at the Wing level, but they get around a lot.
2) Many Chaplains are "2nd carreer" clergy, having prior service in enlisted or line officer ranks. A number of us have direct combat experience.
These factors make a Chaplain especially approachable because we have lived or do live directly with the guys we serve, more so than most physicians, and often readily relate to what folks are going through. We've "been there."
We also get to help folks with the spiritual side of things, and you would be amazed at the power of God when it comes to healing deep or old wounds.
One last note about PTS. Some recent research suggests that the folks who see ugly stuff but manage to get home without being messed up are the same folks who could clearly justify what they were doing, or at least resolve any mistakes and move on. I get ticked off at the moonbats because the soldier swayed by the leftist rhetoric comes home feeling like a criminal and ends up with PTSD. I believe the moonbats of Vietnam and today have messed up a lot of buddies because of this.
Thanks again for the plug Greyhawk! Best regards to your wife. You two have an AWESOME marriage!
Blessings,
Fr. Wes
Chaplain, Air National Guard
It's been a long time since the masses cheered for their warriors. Remember the times when the warriors went in to battle behind their leaders. The last time that happened was WWII. The recent Russell Crow movie Gladiator showed just what happened to the great warrior leader General when faced by his Caesar. The general may have defeated his Caesar but he was still dead none the less. There is no glory for Vietnam because our leaders were back home in the USA hiding behind each other. Had they been on the front with us you would still hear the roar of the crowds praising their heroes.
Most civilians liked the old movies where the good guys won and the bad guys lost and they were not forced watch them bleed to death or to writhe in agony as their life-force ebbed away. Like in the "A Team" where the bad guys were blown over obstacles by horrendous explosions and still there were no limbs torn asunder. They just laid there in a stupor trying to figure out what just happened. Rocky had to lose before he could win. The good guy always had to loose his best friend or wife, notice that the kids always seem to survive, before he gets mad enough to take any action.
I, like so many others, lost or left behind that young innocent impressionable kid and faced realities that others can't even imagine. You had to be there to understand. Friends with a bond, tighter than any natural brother could ever have. When you have walked in your brothers shoes you knows what he feels without asking. You have seen what he has seen with the same eyes. I can't tell you what it feels like, but you will know when it happens. And when it happens to you, you will never forget the feeling of loneliness, knowing that no other will ever know how you feel at that very moment. The world stands still at that very instant. There is no time, the very concept of time is lost as you look around at the still life picture. You will see that same picture for the rest of your life, you will hear those same sounds, you will even remember the smell. At least I have and I don't know if it will ever be lost. As time goes by, you seem to forget the faces of your loved ones, but you can't seem to get that picture of horror out of your mind.
Some days I pray for death, that then and only then will I be released and even more importantly, my family will be released from me. The world will no longer know my name or that I even existed. Others that my life has touched will finally be free of me. I will no longer horrify or terrify those who were unfortunate enough to be affected by me. The good that you may have done will also be forgotten, if it hasn't already. It was done by that other guy, the one trying to break free. The guy you lost so many years ago.
PLEASE DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES YOUR FATHERS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS MADE. LEARN FROM THEIR EXAMPLES, THEIR MISTAKES.
DO NOT MAKE WAR ON YOUR FELLOW MAN.
BOTH SIDES WILL LOOSE,
THERE ARE NO WINNERS IN WAR.