NEEDS PROPER HELP FOR HIS PTSD..NOT COURT-MARTIAL...HE DID SERVED IN THE WAR..TWICE.... BEEN THERE DONE THAT....EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENT SOME NEVER BOUNCE BACK...
In WW2 the Army concluded that 300 days in a continuous combat situation caused mental problems and eventually madness. Could the problems the military is seeing fall under those WW2 statistical observations? The man was away from family for eight years and in a war zone. He grew appart from his family because he became a stranger they didn't know or trust. Every man has a breaking point, take the word of Jesus Christ and show love to this man and realized you broke him and punishment will not fix this eight year veteran. I maybe wrong but I sense this man is worth your time.
I applaud and thank him for his 8 years of service and two tours in Iraq. He is the victim of a poorly planned war and an administration that wants only photo ops with our fighting men and women & lame phrases to mislead the masses. Some how seeking to share their honor in a sick voyeuristic way. However after the press has filed the story, they go back to their plush politcal existance, while our men and women can barely get a decent bed in some poorly maintained medical facility. Its a disgrace!!
However by going AWOL he only made matters worse for himself and may end up forfeiting his freedom and hard earned, well deserved benefits for him and his family.
It wasn't only two tours in Iraq, but also a tour in Kosovo. Our UCMJ makes allowances for these situations, they're called "mitigating circumstances". All troops have different levels of stress they are able to deal with. Comparing troops and their situations and their actions to one another, is the old 'oranges and apples' routine. Somebody jumped my azz on this site because I said I have no pity, and I don't. I do have compassion and empathy. This Brother Warrior, and probably the other one mentioned in the article, deserves both compassion and empathy, for those not experienced with this very debilitating condition, at least give them sympathy. In my opinion, if I was required to discipline and/or discharge this man, based on the little info I have, it would be: Discharge for the Convenience of the Government, under medical conditions. His reenlistment code would indicate an 'RE-4M', not eligible for reenlistment, for XYZ reasons (probably mental reasons). That IS what I would stand in front of my Commander, recommend, and fight for. Sergeant Major
Sgt Gaskins has been transferred to Walter Reed and hopefully he will finally get the medical help he needs. News Stories such as Sgt Gaskins are truly sad, but should come as no surprise to DoD Health Care Officials. What is surprising is the slowness that DoD has demonstrated in gearing up for the problem and hiring trained mental health care professionals. PTSD is not a new health care problem, as thousands of Vietnam Veterans have demonstrated and thousands of new War Veterans are demonstrating. DoD and Congress should spend a lot less time arguing about rising health care costs and devote their time and energy towards solving Military and Veteran Health Care Issues...Such as PTSD. We spend billions training and equiping our Armed Forces and keeping them healthy should be just as important!
... and hiring trained mental health care professionals.
Therein lies a part of the challenge. At least in some areas, even when the money and spaces are increased, finding the "trained mental health care professionals" to fill the newly created vacancies is difficult, at least if you put emphasis on "trained". OJT isn't good enough.
I spent a number of years on the street as a street level deputy sheriff. I worked a lot of days assigned to mental health calls. Two things I learned real quickly. First, protect yourself and don't give the subject a chance to hurt you. Second, these people don't think like rational people. In fact, sometimes it is really hard to figure out how they are thinking and working things out in their mind. But to them it is simple and the "only real way" to deal with whatever it is that has set them off or is bugging them. We only used force when we were forced to do so and thenionly the minimal force necessarey to control the subject and prevent them from harming themselves, or us, or someone else.
yeah, we can talk about the law and UCMJ and all that, but you're dealing with a person who has a mental condition, pure and simple. Jailing them seldom helps or sures anything, it just postpones the inevitable until another place and another time.
Originally posted by stewamart: Sgt Gaskins has been transferred to Walter Reed and hopefully he will finally get the medical help he needs. News Stories such as Sgt Gaskins are truly sad, but should come as no surprise to DoD Health Care Officials. What is surprising is the slowness that DoD has demonstrated in gearing up for the problem and hiring trained mental health care professionals. PTSD is not a new health care problem, as thousands of Vietnam Veterans have demonstrated and thousands of new War Veterans are demonstrating. DoD and Congress should spend a lot less time arguing about rising health care costs and devote their time and energy towards solving Military and Veteran Health Care Issues...Such as PTSD. We spend billions training and equiping our Armed Forces and keeping them healthy should be just as important!
For spiritual well being Catholic Priests take savadicals. Why not convert a park area into a R&R, members only camp. Give them two months of R&R adjustment duty with peace and quite, routein and counciling if needed.
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Originally posted by awahilii: It wasn't only two tours in Iraq, but also a tour in Kosovo. Our UCMJ makes allowances for these situations, they're called "mitigating circumstances". All troops have different levels of stress they are able to deal with. Comparing troops and their situations and their actions to one another, is the old 'oranges and apples' routine. Somebody jumped my azz on this site because I said I have no pity, and I don't. I do have compassion and empathy. This Brother Warrior, and probably the other one mentioned in the article, deserves both compassion and empathy, for those not experienced with this very debilitating condition, at least give them sympathy. In my opinion, if I was required to discipline and/or discharge this man, based on the little info I have, it would be: Discharge for the Convenience of the Government, under medical conditions. His reenlistment code would indicate an 'RE-4M', not eligible for reenlistment, for XYZ reasons (probably mental reasons). That IS what I would stand in front of my Commander, recommend, and fight for. Sergeant Major
I understand your recommendations but would like to add the following. You used the man for what appears to be 10 years. The service may have destroyed the relationship he tried to keep together due to his military obligation. The Army did conclude in WW2 that 300 days or more in a war zone created a marked breaking point in men. In a survival situation under extreme mental exhaustion the person breaks. I suggest that the best road for recovery is keeping him in the military in a non threatening enviornment. In this way he can find that last thread of human self worth that can help him recover. He was their for his Country for 10 years so why not show you really honor him by sticking by the military moto, We Will Leave No Man Behind, his head is in Iraq. Isn't the spirit of a man worth more than his body? He wasn't this way when you talked him into joining. I think people need to start asking the question, How Much Is To Much? I can fix any machine if your willing to pay for the parts. We are talking about people, not machines. In this capitalistic money driven world, what chance will this man have without help? Its wrong to use people in such a way.
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Just because a person says he went to seek treatment doesn't justify his action of going AWOL. I'm sorry, but I think it was an excuse to get out or maybe not continue to support the effort.
Originally posted by GoSpurs_1: Just because a person says he went to seek treatment doesn't justify his action of going AWOL. I'm sorry, but I think it was an excuse to get out or maybe not continue to support the effort.
If it were only that he went and tried to get help, then a lot of people would agree with you. The fact of the matter is that he was already displaying severe symptoms during his second tour in Iraq and attempted to get help a number of times. His attempts to get help and the resistance he met are all well-documented.
I served in Vietnam and I have been back since 1971, and all my life after returning from Vietnam has been health problems, mental problems, Agent Orange related problems. All these years I have wrestled with the VA, the government. for help. Many decades have gone by. I did manage with God's help to raise my children, on pennies, nickles, and dimes. I have know use of my right hand. It makes me furious, when I see it happening all over again with our troops that are fighting, todays wars. We Veterans fight in a foreighn war, then come home exhausted to find our-selves fighting in a war here at home for medical and mental help. Our politicians are fighting against each other to get our troops help on the battle fields. The Sgt is messed up, and he just don't know where to go to. Where is the compassion for all those that are returning from the battlefield.
Originally posted by GoSpurs_1: Just because a person says he went to seek treatment doesn't justify his action of going AWOL. I'm sorry, but I think it was an excuse to get out or maybe not continue to support the effort.
The story maybe written in such a way as to not give that impression and in many cases you are probibly correct but his time in service, 10 years, suggests otherwise. I suspect the guys stress factor went out of control from his marital difficulties causing a nervous break down on top of PTSD, it happens.
let me say this I have PTSD and it aint no fun you wake up with cold sweats that is if you are lucky enough to sleep in the first place your life is hell you have no friends and feel like every corner you turn some one is waiting for you to kill or mame you . The government promissed us and yes it is law for them (bush) to make sure we are cared for not every one deals with stress or terror the same as some one else,this is a darn mess when you have some one that needs help and the army wont give it to them. fear in its self can make you a babbling child most people would be lieing if they said they have never been afraid but PTSD is like a death warrent you feel like it is happening all over again every time you close your eyes, so think befor you condem the man for seeking help you might just be the next one, it is a good possability. no one is imune to the crap in war I have been out longer than most of you have been in the service and if the army would have helped me I just might have a life instead of locking my windows all night long sleeping with a gun ever vigilant for any thing I hate life and sometimes wish I were dead and have tried to die so dont PLEASE DONT think that this sgt is better or worse he just knew he needed help and got it from where he could. As for BUSH well you are doing your job but what do you get in return? a slap on the back an atta boy? you spend three tours in combat and you get a ribbon what for to make you feel better not really it sucks and it is something you will never forget nor will the people in your lifes so give this guy a break the benifit of a dought and trust me you dont want him by you covering your back when he cant focus on the task at hand you booth might just end up DEAD! and for what? GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SAFE WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT
AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IN HARMS WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by BushmasterSix: I applaud and thank him for his 8 years of service and two tours in Iraq. He is the victim of a poorly planned war and an administration that wants only photo ops with our fighting men and women & lame phrases to mislead the masses. Some how seeking to share their honor in a sick voyeuristic way. However after the press has filed the story, they go back to their plush politcal existance, while our men and women can barely get a decent bed in some poorly maintained medical facility. Its a disgrace!!
However by going AWOL he only made matters worse for himself and may end up forfeiting his freedom and hard earned, well deserved benefits for him and his family.
The term mental problem suggests an inability to think normally. A lot of people would look at the guy and say, coward. When in fact He is rattled over the fact he is not in control of his actions. People need to learn to look at the obvious before judging someone. Common sense should indicate that a man of his experiance could never be classified as a coward. He is terrified because he is not in control of his actions. Insomnia alone is unsettling because you will get punished for not being on time. Worst yet, pass out and get killed while you sleep. Insomnia is a common problem with VETs in a war zone, you can not stay awake forever. I wish the military would tell the world that insomnia was most of the mental problems guys suffer from. Thats because they are punished and humiliated for crashing and not being able to keep up or are on patrol surrounded by the enemy and can't sleep.
You know as a vietnam vet with two years in country and yes to this day I live with PTSD: But because one does not get what they fill is adaquit to them in the service by no means give them the right to up and leave when they see fit This soldier was totaly wrong in going awol put him out with an undesireable discharge.
Originally posted by 12975656: You know as a vietnam vet with two years in country and yes to this day I live with PTSD: But because one does not get what they fill is adaquit to them in the service by no means give them the right to up and leave when they see fit This soldier was totaly wrong in going awol put him out with an undesireable discharge.
BOO-HOO, GET OVER IT !! I AM A DESERT STORM VET AND I ALSO WAS STATIONED AT FORT DRUM AND ALSO HAVE PTSD. BUT I DIDN'T GO OVER THE WALL, I WAS PERSISTANT. GET A SET AND MOVE ON *** !!!!!
all of us veterans of all ages and all wars and conflicts have our own mental and medical problems! the sgt. needs help but going awol was wrong heck i am with my 3rd wife because bipolar disorder and ptsd. on disability and in VA. clinic for for over 30years! try a grenade in your foxhole that will make you wake up sweating in the middle of the nite! good bye Bush! and get this young soldier some teatment!!!
Originally posted by 11532700: BOO-HOO, GET OVER IT !! I AM A DESERT STORM VET AND I ALSO WAS STATIONED AT FORT DRUM AND ALSO HAVE PTSD. BUT I DIDN'T GO OVER THE WALL, I WAS PERSISTANT. GET A SET AND MOVE ON *** !!!!!
My point is this, I am showing him respect for his time in service. I have over four active and 2 reserve. I am no doctor but I know medical problems do happen and if he could work the problem out on his own he would. For your sake pray a guy like me is around instead of a guy like you if you ever need help. I suspect the problem he has is more complicated than what your relating to.
