I cannot think of anything more traumatic than the threat of dying or actual coming face to face with death on a daily basis. Soldiers are faced with this internal battle throughout war and the afterthoughts follow them home. .
As a two-time combat veteran of the Iraqi war, I am a candidate for potentially having PTSD, and the process of being evaluated, screened or tested is highly discouraged among peers. The military promotes mental health and being mentally fit, but the reality is far different because the Soldier will be judged indirectly. WSMV reporter Jeremy Finley, reporting from Nashville, TN investigated a case in particular where a Soldier returning from two combat tours to Iraq killed his wife and himself. After interviewing family members, they all stated they did not know the person who committed the homicide and suicide (Finley, 2013). The mother of the wife stated, "I don't believe did this it was him. I know he deployed, things changed. He changed and that was the root cause of this" (Finley, 2013). The Soldier did not seek medical attention because he was afraid of being judged or losing his career. "The Army's investigating team did not concur with the conclusions of the family members because there was no documentation or declaration of PTSD" (Finley, 2013). If the leaders had paid closer attention to the Soldier the signs were prevalent but went unnoticed. Every Soldier returning from war will have some level of PTSD although some cases will be more severe than others. The United States military, Veteran Affairs, and other government agencies should provide better care for Soldiers with PTSD because they have served our country with great honor through selfless service, it decreases the potential of suicide, and it's essential for the well-being of their families. .
History of PTSD. Soldiers have always had a disturbing reaction to war. PTSD started with the Vietnam War, the soldiers were thought to be heroes, but no one was aware they were suffering mentally from the devastation of combat, being drafted, and the longevity of war.
