Suspect in beating of Vietnam veteran at gas station had been a wanted man for 10 years
WXYZ News
Kimberly Craig
September 27, 2013
DETROIT (WXYZ) - Cortez Hawkins, suspected in Monday's beating of a Vietnam veteran, has been a wanted man and flying under the radar for a decade, according to court records.
The beating was caught on surveillance cameras at the BP Gas station located on Seven Mile near I-75.
On Friday, Hawkins, 32, was arraigned on two counts of Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm.
When Hawkins appeared in court, it was revealed that he had skipped out on a 2003 criminal case with charges that included Felony Firearm and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.
Two other men are also facing similar charges in connection with the beating of the 64-year-old veteran and his 58-year-old friend.
read more here
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Army Reservist shocks daughter and gets cheered by 80,000 football fans
Soldier talks about surprising daughter in front of 80,000 football fans in Madison (with video)
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
Written by
Katie Hoffman
September 27, 2013
Decked out in red and white, Bella Lund stood next to Bucky Badger in the middle of Camp Randall, surrounded by more than 80,000 screaming, cheering football fans.
She couldn’t hear anything over the roar of the crowd. But when Bella turned around, everyone around her immediately disappeared.
Her mom was home after six months serving in Afghanistan with the Army Reserve, and she was standing just yards away.
“I just kinda saw the uniform, and I was like, ‘That’s my mom.’ I just knew,” she said. “I don’t think I could’ve asked for anything better than that.”
Bella’s mom, Army Capt. Jane Renee “J.R.” Lund, 36, is a 1995 D.C. Everest Senior High School graduate who joined the Army Reserve four years ago. She began a six-month deployment in April as a veterinarian with the 719th medical detachment in Afghanistan.
read more here
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
Written by
Katie Hoffman
September 27, 2013
Decked out in red and white, Bella Lund stood next to Bucky Badger in the middle of Camp Randall, surrounded by more than 80,000 screaming, cheering football fans.
She couldn’t hear anything over the roar of the crowd. But when Bella turned around, everyone around her immediately disappeared.
Her mom was home after six months serving in Afghanistan with the Army Reserve, and she was standing just yards away.
“I just kinda saw the uniform, and I was like, ‘That’s my mom.’ I just knew,” she said. “I don’t think I could’ve asked for anything better than that.”
Bella’s mom, Army Capt. Jane Renee “J.R.” Lund, 36, is a 1995 D.C. Everest Senior High School graduate who joined the Army Reserve four years ago. She began a six-month deployment in April as a veterinarian with the 719th medical detachment in Afghanistan.
read more here
Rifle may give the greenest shots deadly accuracy at ridiculous range
Every soldier a sniper? Rifle may give the greenest shots deadly accuracy at ridiculous range
By Lance M. Bacon
Staff writer
September 28, 2013
GERRARDSTOWN, W.VA. — First it was the XM-25 Punisher that changed the battlefield. Now it is the XactSystem precision-guided firearm — a fire control system built by TrackingPoint that turns an average shooter into a competent sniper with the push of a button.
We’re not talking about picking off concealed targets at 350 meters. We’re talking about first-round hit probability in excess of 80 percent at distances of 1,200 meters.
An overstatement, you say? Army Times put that claim to the test.
Three 18-inch targets were placed at 850, 1,050 and 1,100 meters. Winds were a manageable 3 to 5 mph, but a canyon between the perch and the targets caused significant updraft. We were given three .300 Win Mag rounds. The result? Three rounds, three hits.
read more here
By Lance M. Bacon
Staff writer
September 28, 2013
GERRARDSTOWN, W.VA. — First it was the XM-25 Punisher that changed the battlefield. Now it is the XactSystem precision-guided firearm — a fire control system built by TrackingPoint that turns an average shooter into a competent sniper with the push of a button.
We’re not talking about picking off concealed targets at 350 meters. We’re talking about first-round hit probability in excess of 80 percent at distances of 1,200 meters.
An overstatement, you say? Army Times put that claim to the test.
Three 18-inch targets were placed at 850, 1,050 and 1,100 meters. Winds were a manageable 3 to 5 mph, but a canyon between the perch and the targets caused significant updraft. We were given three .300 Win Mag rounds. The result? Three rounds, three hits.
read more here
Body of Iraq War veteran from Sandy Springs found
Body of Iraq War veteran from Sandy Springs found in Brookhaven
Georgia State Patrol reports that officers have found the body of an Iraq War veteran who went missing on Tuesday.
Iraq veteran thought "Suicide is a death you'll never have to mourn"
Iraq Veteran And Suicide Survivor: 'I Was On Every Drug That Killed Anna Nicole Smith'
Huffington Post
Molly O'Toole
Posted: 09/28/2013
Promethazine, zolpidem, nortriptyline, morphine, divalproex, metoprolol, prazosin, ibuprofen, diazepam, quetiapine, meperidine, trazodone, mirtazapine, hydromorphone.
For Boone Cutler, this was a "combat cocktail" -– just one month's worth of the medications he was given at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington while being treated for traumatic brain injury after a mortar attack in Sadr City, Iraq, in 2005.
"I'll tell you, at one point in time I was on every drug that killed Anna Nicole Smith, plus some," said Cutler, who was an Army sergeant at the time of the attack.
The drugs weren't enough. After being medically evacuated from Iraq, Cutler was confined to Walter Reed, which was then becoming crowded with the unanticipated casualties of the war. Soldiers were crammed together in rotting, rodent-infested neglect and, said Cutler, they were heavily medicated by the overworked staff.
"There were so many wounded and not enough to care for everybody," Cutler said. "So it was a chemical prison. You get there and they just throw you on a shitload of meds, with one 15-minute appointment a week. It was the worst time in my life. Two years. It was jacked. I saw a lot of guys looked better when they came in than when they left, because of the isolation."
read more here
Huffington Post
Molly O'Toole
Posted: 09/28/2013
Cutler decided, "I'm just gonna check the fuck out," and got his paperwork in order for his family. "My exit strategy for Walter Reed was to hang myself," he said. "I was ready to roll. Once you've killed people, one more life doesn't really matter. Suicide is a death you'll never have to mourn."
Promethazine, zolpidem, nortriptyline, morphine, divalproex, metoprolol, prazosin, ibuprofen, diazepam, quetiapine, meperidine, trazodone, mirtazapine, hydromorphone.
For Boone Cutler, this was a "combat cocktail" -– just one month's worth of the medications he was given at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington while being treated for traumatic brain injury after a mortar attack in Sadr City, Iraq, in 2005.
"I'll tell you, at one point in time I was on every drug that killed Anna Nicole Smith, plus some," said Cutler, who was an Army sergeant at the time of the attack.
The drugs weren't enough. After being medically evacuated from Iraq, Cutler was confined to Walter Reed, which was then becoming crowded with the unanticipated casualties of the war. Soldiers were crammed together in rotting, rodent-infested neglect and, said Cutler, they were heavily medicated by the overworked staff.
"There were so many wounded and not enough to care for everybody," Cutler said. "So it was a chemical prison. You get there and they just throw you on a shitload of meds, with one 15-minute appointment a week. It was the worst time in my life. Two years. It was jacked. I saw a lot of guys looked better when they came in than when they left, because of the isolation."
read more here
Iraq veteran depends on food bank to feed family?
East Valley food bank is lifeline for Iraq veteran’s family
East Valley Tribune
September 25, 2013
For Iraq War veteran “John,” his wife “Sharon” and their teenage son and daughter, United Food Bank is the lifeline that helps them get by.
For the past 10 months they’ve showed up regularly when the food bank’s mobile pantry comes to their neighborhood.
John had served 10 years in the military and intended to make it his career when an injury sent him back to civilian life just as the economy was shrinking and his kids were growing.
The family caught the attention of Denise Montana, United Food Bank’s agency relations coordinator, who oversees the organization’s two mobile food pantries.
An Air Force veteran herself, Montana has an affinity for the many veterans who depend on the food bank to make ends meet.
read more here
East Valley Tribune
September 25, 2013
For Iraq War veteran “John,” his wife “Sharon” and their teenage son and daughter, United Food Bank is the lifeline that helps them get by.
For the past 10 months they’ve showed up regularly when the food bank’s mobile pantry comes to their neighborhood.
John had served 10 years in the military and intended to make it his career when an injury sent him back to civilian life just as the economy was shrinking and his kids were growing.
The family caught the attention of Denise Montana, United Food Bank’s agency relations coordinator, who oversees the organization’s two mobile food pantries.
An Air Force veteran herself, Montana has an affinity for the many veterans who depend on the food bank to make ends meet.
read more here
Father and Daughter from Saipan Serve Together in Afghanistan
Father and Daughter from Saipan Serve Together in Afghanistan
Guam News
Written by Sgt. Edward Siguenza
1-294th Infantry Regiment
Friday, 27 September 2013
CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – There’s something symbolic about dolphins in the Igitol clan and it’s not just because the mammals constantly swim around their Pacific Island home.
Spc. Ivan Igitol permanently branded five dolphins on his arm, representing his five children and Carolinian heritage.
Spc. Brittney Igitol tattooed one on her neck, symbolizing her love for her island culture.
Deep in an Afghanistan desert, where Brittney’s Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, runs Operation Enduring Freedom missions, the dolphin mythology exist. Same in Kabul, where Ivan’s Headquarters Company bravely executes missions. The father-daughter tandem is friendly, listens well, and not afraid of danger. Oh, and they don’t just communicate through phone calls and emails. Their family bond connects them through sonar.
“I’m proud of her and all my kids. Brittney chose to make the same sacrifices I am,” said Ivan.
“Our family knows we’re here for the same thing. We wanted to deploy to serve our country; we’re here to help protect our family.”
read more here
Guam News
Written by Sgt. Edward Siguenza
1-294th Infantry Regiment
Friday, 27 September 2013
CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – There’s something symbolic about dolphins in the Igitol clan and it’s not just because the mammals constantly swim around their Pacific Island home.
Spc. Ivan Igitol permanently branded five dolphins on his arm, representing his five children and Carolinian heritage.
Spc. Brittney Igitol tattooed one on her neck, symbolizing her love for her island culture.
Deep in an Afghanistan desert, where Brittney’s Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, runs Operation Enduring Freedom missions, the dolphin mythology exist. Same in Kabul, where Ivan’s Headquarters Company bravely executes missions. The father-daughter tandem is friendly, listens well, and not afraid of danger. Oh, and they don’t just communicate through phone calls and emails. Their family bond connects them through sonar.
“I’m proud of her and all my kids. Brittney chose to make the same sacrifices I am,” said Ivan.
“Our family knows we’re here for the same thing. We wanted to deploy to serve our country; we’re here to help protect our family.”
read more here
Inspiring Marine amputee says "I just put it on and walk"
Marine who lost leg inspiration at Great Bay Community College
Brady to receive Distinguished Leader Award
Seacoast Online
By Joey Cresta
September 28, 2013
PORTSMOUTH — A U.S. Marine who lost his right leg in Afghanistan is charting a new course that is inspiring teachers and officials at Great Bay Community College.
Craig Brady, 25, a native of Norwood, Mass., who now lives in Madbury, will be a recipient at the college's Distinguished Leaders Awards event at the Wentworth by the Sea hotel in New Castle on Thursday night. The event highlights community leaders who have all achieved success and supported the college and their community in different ways.
Other award recipients are Jackie Eastwood, chief executive at Salient Surgical Technologies, and PixelMEDIA, a full-service Web strategy and application development company founded in 1994 by Erik Dodier and Thomas Obrey.
Brady's career path has been decidedly different from the other honorees. Straight out of high school, he enlisted in the Marines. He served in Iraq then Afghanistan, where, in January 2010, he stepped on an improvised explosive device.
Brady said he lost his right leg below the knee and spent two years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. After he was discharged, he said he found a new passion to pursue: therapeutic recreation, which was a major part of his recovery.
"I don't even think about my prosthesis. I just put it on and walk," he said.
read more here
Brady to receive Distinguished Leader Award
Seacoast Online
By Joey Cresta
September 28, 2013
PORTSMOUTH — A U.S. Marine who lost his right leg in Afghanistan is charting a new course that is inspiring teachers and officials at Great Bay Community College.
Craig Brady, 25, a native of Norwood, Mass., who now lives in Madbury, will be a recipient at the college's Distinguished Leaders Awards event at the Wentworth by the Sea hotel in New Castle on Thursday night. The event highlights community leaders who have all achieved success and supported the college and their community in different ways.
Other award recipients are Jackie Eastwood, chief executive at Salient Surgical Technologies, and PixelMEDIA, a full-service Web strategy and application development company founded in 1994 by Erik Dodier and Thomas Obrey.
Brady's career path has been decidedly different from the other honorees. Straight out of high school, he enlisted in the Marines. He served in Iraq then Afghanistan, where, in January 2010, he stepped on an improvised explosive device.
Brady said he lost his right leg below the knee and spent two years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. After he was discharged, he said he found a new passion to pursue: therapeutic recreation, which was a major part of his recovery.
"I don't even think about my prosthesis. I just put it on and walk," he said.
read more here
After backlash from neighbors, town pitches in to build vet a house
UPDATE from ABC News
Illinois Veteran Gets Chilly Neighborhood Reception Then Outpouring of Generosity
By TINA CHEN via GOOD MORNING AMERICA
Sept. 28, 2013
New homeowners have been known to get into tiffs with their neighbors over their decorating choices. But a handful of Julie and Brian Wood's neighbors in Morton, Ill., drew up a petition against them for not choosing a brick exterior.
For Army Sgt. Brian Wood, 28, it wasn't the warm welcome he might have expected as a decorated war veteran. Wood has been awarded two Bronze Stars for his two tours in Afghanistan. He now works full time as a warehouse supervisor and continues to serve in the National Guard.
But the initial chilly reception caused a backlash from sympathetic neighbors and well-wishers, turning the sour note into a chorus of welcome and generosity.
Wood found his future home in the Peoria suburb through Habitat for Humanity. Wood, a father of three, lost hearing in one ear due to a combat injury, and that disability has limited his options for jobs, and hence a home loan.
read more here
Illinois Veteran Gets Chilly Neighborhood Reception Then Outpouring of Generosity
By TINA CHEN via GOOD MORNING AMERICA
Sept. 28, 2013
New homeowners have been known to get into tiffs with their neighbors over their decorating choices. But a handful of Julie and Brian Wood's neighbors in Morton, Ill., drew up a petition against them for not choosing a brick exterior.
For Army Sgt. Brian Wood, 28, it wasn't the warm welcome he might have expected as a decorated war veteran. Wood has been awarded two Bronze Stars for his two tours in Afghanistan. He now works full time as a warehouse supervisor and continues to serve in the National Guard.
But the initial chilly reception caused a backlash from sympathetic neighbors and well-wishers, turning the sour note into a chorus of welcome and generosity.
Wood found his future home in the Peoria suburb through Habitat for Humanity. Wood, a father of three, lost hearing in one ear due to a combat injury, and that disability has limited his options for jobs, and hence a home loan.
read more here
After backlash from neighbors, town pitches in to build vet a house
KSL.com News
By Tracie Snowder
September 27, 2013
MORTON, Ill. — When U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Wood returned from Afghanistan, he was honored with an amazing surprise — Habitat for Humanity had offered to help his family build their first house.
But things quickly got ugly when some neighbors started a petition because they feared the house would not fit with the rest of the community. The petition actually ended up being a blessing in disguise as it helped Habitat for Humanity secure the donation money needed to build the house.
Wood's story has gone viral, and donations have been pouring in from around the world as people are being touched by the Afghanistan Vet's story.
"Bad has turned to good," Lea Anne Schmidgall, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Peoria, told Yahoo Shine. "The people who started the petition did us a favor in a roundabout way, because it raised awareness, as well as funds for the project."
In an interview with ksl.com, Wood said he's had a hard time since returning from Afghanistan. He earned two Bronze Stars and lost his hearing in one ear.
"It's been one of the hardest transitions I've ever had to face in my life," he said. "It's a complete change of lifestyle in each and every way. I was away from family for a total of 28 months during two tours. Going from fast-paced, hostile and dangerous environment to life at home has been a very hard transition."
read more here
Lesson one on military suicides, CYA and let them die
Lesson one on military suicides, CYA and let them die
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 28, 2013
Suicide Awareness is all fine and good because a lot of people feel empowered to speak out about what is going on. The stories from the troops, veterans and families are heartbreaking. Unfortunately, far too many believe it is also time to claim they have all the answers. These unfortunate souls actually believe what they have been doing has worked because they cannot face the facts they have failed.
I know a lot about failure because I am sitting here still reading these reports after over 30 years of trying to stop them from happening. Sure, I've saved lives, helped families and covered the news reports on suicides for Wounded Times since 2007 but since I'm still reading all the bad news, I haven't accomplished much at all. How do they still get away with the bullshit? Why haven't any reporters managed to actually learn something from Wounded Times so they at least know what questions have to be answered? It isn't as if they are not reading it. I get enough phone calls asking questions when a reporter without a clue has to write something for their publication. None of it matters because as bad as you think it is by reading these reports, it is worse in their real world.
There are things you read giving you a basic idea of what is going on but you have to remember that if there are ten reports on suicides in a given month there are hundreds not talking publicly about what is happening to them. Those are the phone calls that get to me the most because too few are healed and many, too many are lost.
The Huffington Post has a great article up by Madison West The Problem is War and he writes "I was taught in the military that asking for help is a weakness." The truth is that is the message they have been getting. All the bullshit about the DOD false advertising has been about covering their asses because every program they have come up with have been about telling them they are mentally weak and didn't train right.
The last good report we have to go by came out in 2012 with the numbers from 2011. They still have not released the report for 2012 even though this is the end of September.
This is what caused the military to "address" suicides. It came out in August of 2007.
They already knew they had a huge problem and so did the VA. They had separate totals with both groups committing more suicides. The VA was dealing with a rise in suicides as well as attempted suicides.
Paul Sullivan of Veterans for Common Sense was on top of all of this before the press started to really pay attention. In December of 2007 there was an account of what was discovered in an article about Sullivan being interviewed by 20/20 News. What he managed to uncover was a massive coverup by the VA regarding the fact there were 1,000 veterans attempting suicide every month.
The VA was not ready for them. In 2004 there were calls for reduction in staff. "Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, acting under secretary of veterans affairs, said the medical staff of the department would be reduced by 3,700 employees under the president's budget. About 194,000 employees now provide medical care."
Jim Nicholson, the Secretary of the VA said "We have to make tough decisions. We have to set priorities."
I left this comment on the article on Huffington Post.
The facts are simple. The DOD pushed a program that was still in research stages designed for school aged children onto troops heading into combat and expected a different result. When they didn't see the suicides go down, they pushed the program harder. The result was that the troops thought they didn't train right and they were weak minded so PTSD was their fault.
This week, their impression of what the DOD had been telling them was supported by Army General Ray Odierno.
The number of troops in Iraq in 2011 were 45,000 in September. In June of 2011 there was this "United States will draw down the number of troops in Afghanistan by 10,000 this year and by a total of 33,000 by the end of summer 2012, President Barack Obama"
Equals less deployed into combat but more suicides after years of "programming" the troops to be "resilient" and have "Mental toughness that ensures that people are able to deal with stressful situations."
go here for first part of CYA
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 28, 2013
Suicide Awareness is all fine and good because a lot of people feel empowered to speak out about what is going on. The stories from the troops, veterans and families are heartbreaking. Unfortunately, far too many believe it is also time to claim they have all the answers. These unfortunate souls actually believe what they have been doing has worked because they cannot face the facts they have failed.
I know a lot about failure because I am sitting here still reading these reports after over 30 years of trying to stop them from happening. Sure, I've saved lives, helped families and covered the news reports on suicides for Wounded Times since 2007 but since I'm still reading all the bad news, I haven't accomplished much at all. How do they still get away with the bullshit? Why haven't any reporters managed to actually learn something from Wounded Times so they at least know what questions have to be answered? It isn't as if they are not reading it. I get enough phone calls asking questions when a reporter without a clue has to write something for their publication. None of it matters because as bad as you think it is by reading these reports, it is worse in their real world.
There are things you read giving you a basic idea of what is going on but you have to remember that if there are ten reports on suicides in a given month there are hundreds not talking publicly about what is happening to them. Those are the phone calls that get to me the most because too few are healed and many, too many are lost.
The Huffington Post has a great article up by Madison West The Problem is War and he writes "I was taught in the military that asking for help is a weakness." The truth is that is the message they have been getting. All the bullshit about the DOD false advertising has been about covering their asses because every program they have come up with have been about telling them they are mentally weak and didn't train right.
"After seeing what we have seen, more importantly, doing what we have done in the name of this country, who are you to tell us that we can't kill ourselves? We, the American Soldier, supposedly fighting for freedom over there, shouldn't have the freedom of choice to end our suffering? -Iraq Veteran"
"While veterans are at best, "tolerated" in this society, the occupied people of Iraq and Afghanistan are completely ignored. They have no VA health system, no matter how backlogged, to go home to. The mental trauma they experience is replicated by walking the same streets in which that trauma was borne. Their tour of duty is their lives. Colin Powell, answering questions about the invasion of Iraq in 2003 said, "If you break it you own it." Well we broke it. Really badly. We have an obligation to these people. Above and beyond the obligation we have to our veterans. We must repair the damages of these wars and prevent the next one if we have any hope of stopping this problem."
The last good report we have to go by came out in 2012 with the numbers from 2011. They still have not released the report for 2012 even though this is the end of September.
The AFMES indicates that 301 Service Members died by suicide in 2011
Air Force = 50
Army = 167
Marine Corps = 32
Navy = 52
This number includes deaths strongly suspected to be suicides that are pending final determination.
A total of 915 Service Members attempted suicide in 2011
Air Force = 241
Army = 432
Marine Corps = 156
Navy = 86
DoDSERs were submitted for 935 suicide attempts (Air Force = 251, Army = 440, Marine Corps = 157, Navy = 87).
Of the 915 Service Members who attempted suicide, 896 had one attempt, 18 had two attempts, and 1 had three attempts.
This is what caused the military to "address" suicides. It came out in August of 2007.
"The report, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release Thursday, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers during 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest since the 102 suicides in 1991 at the time of the Persian Gulf War."
"The 99 suicides included 28 soldiers deployed to the two wars and 71 who weren't. About twice as many women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide as did women not sent to war, the report said."
They already knew they had a huge problem and so did the VA. They had separate totals with both groups committing more suicides. The VA was dealing with a rise in suicides as well as attempted suicides.
Paul Sullivan of Veterans for Common Sense was on top of all of this before the press started to really pay attention. In December of 2007 there was an account of what was discovered in an article about Sullivan being interviewed by 20/20 News. What he managed to uncover was a massive coverup by the VA regarding the fact there were 1,000 veterans attempting suicide every month.
The VA was not ready for them. In 2004 there were calls for reduction in staff. "Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, acting under secretary of veterans affairs, said the medical staff of the department would be reduced by 3,700 employees under the president's budget. About 194,000 employees now provide medical care."
Jim Nicholson, the Secretary of the VA said "We have to make tough decisions. We have to set priorities."
According to John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the VA is calling for a reduction of 540 full-time jobs in the Veterans Benefits Administration, which handles disability, pension and other claims by veterans.
I left this comment on the article on Huffington Post.
The trauma of war has been documented throughout history. If you read the Old Testament, especially Psalms, you'll see accounts of what war does spiritually but most people skip over that. Wars have always been started by people in charge but at least back then, they had to go and risk their lives as if the war was that important. Those days are long gone. The end results are still the same. Someone will always decide to start wars so that should never really be about those sent. The reality is, the men and women risking their lives are not doing it for the people deciding but they do it for each other. That is the part that everyone has to remember. It requires courage. That is obvious. It also requires a level of love few others have within them. Because they care so much, they hurt so deeply. Leave out taking care of their spiritual health, they do not heal. They die because of combat and the fact that the deciders don't care enough.
The facts are simple. The DOD pushed a program that was still in research stages designed for school aged children onto troops heading into combat and expected a different result. When they didn't see the suicides go down, they pushed the program harder. The result was that the troops thought they didn't train right and they were weak minded so PTSD was their fault.
This week, their impression of what the DOD had been telling them was supported by Army General Ray Odierno.
Some of it is just personal make-up. Intestinal fortitude. Mental toughness that ensures that people are able to deal with stressful situations.But these thoughts were not the worst he had to say. He ended up basically blaming the families for what the DOD failed to do.
But it also has to do with where you come from. I came from a loving family, one who gave lots of positive reinforcement, who built up psychologically who I was, who I am, what I might want to do. It built confidence in myself, and I believe that enables you to better deal with stress. It enables you to cope more easily than maybe some other people.UPDATED
The number of troops in Iraq in 2011 were 45,000 in September. In June of 2011 there was this "United States will draw down the number of troops in Afghanistan by 10,000 this year and by a total of 33,000 by the end of summer 2012, President Barack Obama"
Equals less deployed into combat but more suicides after years of "programming" the troops to be "resilient" and have "Mental toughness that ensures that people are able to deal with stressful situations."
go here for first part of CYA
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