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2007-11-15 Home Front: WoT

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Posted by Steve White 2007-11-15 00:04|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top
File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1 ...I had a couple AWOLs among my troops while I was in, and if the civilians arrested this guy, he was a deserter.

In wartime.

Under the UCMJ, that is a capital offense, and really should be dealt with as such.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2007-11-15 07:22|| 2007-11-15 07:22|| Front Page Top

#2 If ex-JAG were still trolling here, I'm sure we could get the latest legal advice, but iirc, as long as he kept his mil ID, the precedent is that it is AWOL and not desertion, because it shows intent of returning [at some time].

If there is any med eval that indicates a verifiable case of PTSD or symptoms, he'll be handled administratively, not judicially, unless there is information that the media didn't get or dropped that indicates other criminal issues.

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-11-15 08:52|| 2007-11-15 08:52|| Front Page Top

#3 I might've had a little sympathy for the guy...until the name Tod Ensign showed up.

Posted by tu3031 2007-11-15 09:55|| 2007-11-15 09:55|| Front Page Top

#4 I don't think he would have received much sympathy in any of our wars prior to Vietnam. As a grunt, the only cases of PTSD I've come across are guys who were Sh%tbags to begin with, and usually, they have no reason to claim PTSD, because due to their lack of performance, they get left behind to guard gear when the bad stuff goes down anyway. Just my take.

Posted by 0369Grunt 2007-11-15 11:26|| 2007-11-15 11:26|| Front Page Top

#5 Mr. Wife's uncle clearly suffered from PTSD -- he recently started going to counselling at his local VA hospital. He was a Green Beret in Viet Nam, even re-upped for a second stint. At one point he was, I believe, the 13th strongest man over there.

I don't think he was left behind to guard the gear. Not if the photo album Mr. Wife saw as a child is any indication.

Brain SPECT imaging (click on "anxiety disorder") apparently reveals a significantly different firing pattern for anxiety disorders such as PTSD than for normal brain function. It's been around for a long time -- WWI vets were said to be suffering from shell shock, but the symptoms are the same.

Posted by trailing wife">trailing wife 2007-11-15 11:54|| 2007-11-15 11:54|| Front Page Top

#6 I have had to deal with PTSD. But its no reason to desert. Thats dishonorable.

If the guy truly did desert over this and never intended coming back but has some conditions, then they should hande his case administratively, and give him a other than honorable discharge for desertion, but mark it so that he is eligible for VA care for his mental problems.

If its direct cause and he did have some intent of coming back, then give him a company grade article 15 (maybe yank a stripe), restrict him to quarters at the mental care unit, and try to make him into a soldier again with treatment. You don't leave the unit and go AWOL then desert in wartime without consequences.

If the problems are serious, like clinical depression, schizo (preexisting), then "chapter" him out with a general discharge (not honorable) and hand him to the VA. He can apply to have the discharge upgraded and likely will get approved after a year or two.

IF he bailed, and had no intent of coming back, and he was only dealign with PTSD and no other issues, then Dishonorable Discharge for Desertion after some stockade time during which he gets some counseling while in confinement. Mark the DD to allow him help for PTSD and nothing else at the VA.

Posted by OldSpook 2007-11-15 13:32|| 2007-11-15 13:32|| Front Page Top

#7 WWI vets were said to be suffering from shell shock, but the symptoms are the same.

Veterans from the napoleonian wars suffered from was called "the wind of the cannonball", and it was clearly WWI or WWII shellshock or today's PTSD.

Posted by anonymous5089 2007-11-15 13:35|| 2007-11-15 13:35|| Front Page Top

#8 But its no reason to desert. Thats dishonorable.

For what it's worth (not much -- I've never soldiered, nor has Mr. Wife), I quite agree. Although, what should someone with PTSD do if whoever is responsible for such things does not help him get the treatment he needs?

Posted by trailing wife 2007-11-15 17:50|| 2007-11-15 17:50|| Front Page Top

#9 You keep banging pots and pans together until someone does the job. Call your Congressman - that usually brings immediate pain to the whole chain of command.

Posted by OldSpook 2007-11-15 23:52|| 2007-11-15 23:52|| Front Page Top

23:52 OldSpook
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