One in five U.S. combat soldiers : Acute post-traumatic stress syndrome.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120405dntexwarwounds.28f2aa6.html

Since combat operations began in Iraq in March 2003, 45 soldiers have killed themselves in Iraq, and an additional two dozen committed suicide after returning home, the Army has confirmed.

The Army surgeon general estimates that 30 percent of returned Iraq veterans showed signs of some mental stress three to four months after coming home. The 2004 Army Mental Health Advisory Team survey, while showing improved unit morale in Iraq over the previous year, also showed that nearly one in five U.S. combat soldiers had acute post-traumatic stress syndrome.

"This is the froth of the wave. The big numbers are coming," said Steve Robinson of the National Gulf War Resource Center, an advocacy organization for veterans of conflicts in the Persian Gulf region. "It took years for the severity of PTSD among Vietnam veterans to show up. If we don't give the soldiers the help they need, such as face-to-face counseling, we're cheating them of a debt owed."

National Guard and reserve soldiers, who make up half the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, show higher rates of post-traumatic stress. But once deactivated and sent home, they must fall back on the Department of Veterans Affairs for treatment. According to VA data, 9,600 of the 360,000 soldiers discharged after fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have received a provisional diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Oh, wait, they can't. Again and again and again.

Well, then follow the example of our glorious leader. Just bug out.

Oh, wait, you don't have a daddy who will let you get away with that.

Guess you're f*cked.

Every war leaves survivors who are so happy just to be alive that nothing else matters. Celebrating existence, knowing from direct experience just how sudden and permanent death is. Once one gets the "at least they're not shooting at us" mindset, the list of life's priorities is radically reordered.

I remember thinking that I totally understood the phenomonon of the addicted, homeless vet.

While I don't believe I have PTSD, I had a glimps of what it is like.

The feelings of social isolation, of wanting to try anything and everything to get rid of the pain and fear were overwhelming for me.

Fortunately, I got counseling and have recovered.

My experience was a fraction of what our soldiers in Iraq must experience on a regular basis.

So sad.