The need has always been there while ignored by those served, especially through their hired representatives, as to the psychological effects from war theaters and also civilian trauma's who could have been helped instead of misdiagnosed, especially after finally recognized and acted on by us returning and returned Vietnam veterans'. Ignored because it costs to study research and care, easier to label those in the negative who've fallen into their nightmares and act out in criminal and uncivil ways in their communities.
July 21, 2013 - Recently, as the House Armed Services Committee was writing the initial draft of the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act - the annual defense bill - I came across a highly informative piece of investigative journalism in The Gazette entitled "Other Than Honorable" which effectively captured what is unfortunately an all too familiar occurrence in the military.
The report describes how the number of soldiers discharged from the Army for misconduct has risen to its highest rate in recent years and provides several examples of wounded combat troops who have lost their medical care and other veterans benefits because of other-than-honorable discharges. Those who lose such benefits have a difficult time getting treatment for their grievous bodily injuries and/or service-connected mental disorders. Without such benefits these veterans can find themselves destitute, with nowhere to turn.
The investigative report is based on Army data which found that annual misconduct discharges have increased more than twenty-five percent in since 2009, mirroring the rise in wounded. It studied soldiers who have served multiple tours and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Some soldiers were cut loose for minor offenses the Army acknowledges can be symptoms of PTSD and TBI. read more>>>
No comments:
Post a Comment