 "Photo: Eduardo Herrera | Valley Star")
The idea of America's soldiers as tough, determined, and gung-ho is one our citizens love to embrace. However, the aftermath of the tragic events at Fort Hood has not only drawn attention to the sad state of mental health care provided by the military, but shined a light on the taboo subject of post-traumatic stress disorder.
On Nov. 5, US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan inexplicably went on a shooting rampage at the base, leaving 13 dead and 30 wounded. One action resulting from the fallout of the incident is the base's newfound effort to help soldiers cope with deployment. It seems that this idea is logical and necessary as well as a quick public relations move and insurance policy.
Fort Hood, the largest military base in the world and main hub for the deploying and returning of soldiers, has had 76 suicides of personnel since 2003 including 10 this year, according to the New York Times. To make this coping policy now, because of the recent onslaught while ignoring the longer death toll, only shows the military's interest in self-preservation and public perception. Second, this policy applies to troops being deployed, not returning. This says mental health and awareness is more important in battle than at home.
We the people need to understand that these brave troops make decisions and carry out orders that come with immense personal impact. To think that soldiers can just push "play" and resume life as normal after returning home without sustaining any emotional, psychological, or even spiritual consequence is antiquated and absurd. The fact that the most powerful military in the world is so undermanned in rehabilitating its own troops is an utter and abject failure.
Leaving these troops untreated or under treated causes a ripple effect that starts with the individual and expands throughout the military. Since 2004, domestic abuse rates among military families at Fort Hood have skyrocketed 75 percent, according to the New York Times. In a Rolling Stone investigative report, Fort Carson, the third largest base in the country, had 26 cases of PTSD in 2002. In 2007 alone there were 750 cases. Troops could have a tough time readjusting to family life after as many as six deployments overseas. What would normally be a basic household squabble could result in a disproportional fight or flight response more suited for combat.
Whatever the case may be, there needs to be better care for our troops. Five soldiers try to kill themselves everyday, according to CNN, with several more thinking about it. It is a waste of time, money, effort, and life to just throw money at the problem and blindly prescribe Valium, Zoloft, and sleeping pills. Eventually the effect of those pills wears off and that soldier is left with the emotional baggage they initially had, possibly with a new drug addiction. The only surge the military needs is one for rehabilitation.
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