The Battle Continues When Soldiers Return from Iraq Essay

Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one

Over the last decade, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have drastically increased the need for effective mental health services and treatment for U.S. veterans and service members, especially those suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nearly 1.5 million American service members have been deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) since the attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001 (Price, Gros, Strachan, Ruggiero, & Acierno, 2013). Approximately 25% of soldiers and wounded warriors returning home from OEF/OIF present with mental illness due to combat-related violence and other trauma exposure (Steinberg & Eisner, 2015). According to Price and colleagues (2013), OEF/OIF soldiers and veterans are at greater risk for developing mental illness compared to others who served in past military operations.

Rates of trauma and mental illness are reported to be disproportionately higher among American veterans, especially those of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The barriers to care after civilian reentry further disadvantage this already vulnerable population. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the longest sustained US military operations since the Vietnam era, sending more than 2.2 million troops into battle and resulting in more than 6,600 deaths and 48,000 injuries. Veterans are at risk mental health challenges, as well as family instability, elevated rates of homelessness, and joblessness. Veterans have disproportionate rates of mental illness, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma.

“Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.” - Sir Winston Churchill. Throughout history, men have fought battles to protect and serve for their country. Some men become injured at war and others don 't get to live on to tell their stories. We are all thankful of those who are able to live on and tell their stories to the common people about their experiences. Two intriguing Wars are the American Civil War and the Vietnam War. They both deal with the long challenging fights between the North and the South regions within each country. The Civil War and the Vietnam War were never declared wars but still managed to divide nations and families. During these wars, many people died defending their land. Two very different war veterans are truly remarkable for the duties they have performed. Robert Edward Lee; the general in chief of the Civil war, and Gary James Walker; a veteran of the Vietnam War have interesting stories from their active military days.

To the millions of veterans that have served this country by leaving behind their world as they once knew it, thank you. Entering the world of a soldier comes with a culture of warriors who are taught and trained to be ready to kill, but also ready to save, heal, and comfort (Hansen). Sergeant Hansen served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years and was deployed three times, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. He was honorably discharged in April of 2014, however like many other veterans, his military experience has impacted his new civilian life due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. It is paramount that a proper system concerning military veterans of the United States is established for the process of re-acclimating soldiers back to a civilian lifestyle. Within the current system and process that is being used, veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are discharged without the support and guidance they need to efficiently return to the civilian world.

Previously stated were the effects of war service remain a significant part of those who served. But let us not forget the families of veterans are also involved and impacted as well; dealing with changes and facing new challenges. Henry was struggling with not being able to relate to his family aftertime given to his country. “He jumpy and mean… [And] people got to leaving him alone” (580). In the article, “Impact Of Vietnam War Services On Veterans Perceptions Of Family Life”, Charles Hendrix and Lisa Anelli focused on at the ending of toured veterans dealing with PTSD and family satisfaction. This statement within the article was profound and appropriate, “Many Vietnam veterans returned back to their home countries at the end of their tour,

In 2004 Operation Iraqi Freedom became the deadliest American military conflict since the Vietnam War. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and Vietnam have brought heightened awareness of military related PTSD, as well as the relationship and family problems that accompany the disorder. Studies have shown that 11% - 20% of Veterans that served in Iraq and 6% - 11% of veterans that were deployed to Afghanistan have suffered from PTSD. Veterans of operation Desert Storm suffer at a rate of about 10% and Vietnam veteran estimates have been as high as 30% – 50%.

For someone who has PTSD, it can be very devastating for their family members. The case of Kristofer Goldsmith is a unique one. A case that needs to continue to be looked at. “...Kristofer Goldsmith was discharged from the army at the height of the Iraq war… not on plane...in hospital after attempting suicide...” (Phillips 1). He was pulled from the army on a dishonorable charge because he was struggling to keep himself alive. He was in pain and low in his life for this to just make it worse. Kris was supposed to be on a plane on his second deployment to Baghdad and instead he was in the hospital. He was put in the hospital after attempting suicide. He was then taken out of the military for his failure to be on the plane. Goldsmith should have

Roberto Pickering was another Marine who was deployed in Iraq a year before McCourry. Pickering served nine months in Iraq and lost many friends in his unit while in combat. He says “We

Statistically, in regards to the Vietnam War, studies have shown that an estimated 30% of veterans --such as the old man from Facing It-- that have been exposed to the horrors of combat, have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Gradus 5). Furthermore, it is estimated that nearly 11 to 20% of combat veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which began in the early 2000’s, have been

1 in 5 returning solders from Iraq & Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or major depression

As a result, tension rises within the family causing numerous veterans to repress their emotions and start to seperate themselves from their loved ones . In order to avoid a scenario similar to this, families of soldiers need to participate in a program that will help them better understand what the veterans went through and teach them how to handle certain situations. This program is extremely important for veterans to be able to “live for” their country, because their main focus can be on finding a job and providing for the country, rather than on problems within their family.

Within the middle of the session, the husband noted that he believes he has been struggling with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the last five months, a duration in which he has struggled with maladaptive coping behaviors, such as tantrums and anger towards his wife that has led to triggers often intensifying too. The coping behaviors have ultimately exacerbated overtime due to the individual not receiving or accepting

The Invisible Wounds of War: Coming Home from Iraq and Afghanistan is a collage of stories based on interviews with veterans and their families, revealing the wounds, mental states, and feeble physical conditions remaining that are not visible. Each story personally invites the reader into the lives of veterans and their families struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, grief, suicide, and other

Likewise the discussion was informative and any confusion/criticism is primarily the result of formatting issues highlighted earlier. The findings support earlier research by Sutker, Davis, Uddo, & Ditta, 1995) who found that Gulf War deployment was associated with higher levels of post-service psychological distress. Similarly British Gulf War veterans were found to be three times more likely to meet Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) criteria than British soldiers who were fit to deploy but did not (Unwin et al., 1999). Findings also mirrored Hobfall et al. (1991) who linked greater exposure [to related stressors] to greater risk of psychological