I have noticed a few today have talked about IEDs. This is a very graphic video not for the faint of heart. Unless you have been on the receiving end of these bad things it is hard to fathom the awesome lethality. If you get disturbed easily, I wouldn't watch it. I hope the link works.
I already know not to watch this video. Just hearing descriptions from my husband is enough for me. I dont know the soldiers can deal with seeing things like they see over there
__________________ I don't pretend to have all the answers, I don't even pretend to know all the questions..... Hey, where am I?
I already know not to watch this video. Just hearing descriptions from my husband is enough for me. I dont know the soldiers can deal with seeing things like they see over there
Many don't! That is why there is so many suicides these days. I just read a few weeks ago where suicides are up for military people who have returned from the war.
The following user says thanks to Maggie-Doodle for your post:
I wasn't alive during the Vietnam war days. My uncle served there from 68-69.
Casualties during Vietnam were far greater than during the Iraq war. Is the suicide rate the same, I wonder? I guess, you'd also have to look into how those vets were received coming back home, too.
What I'm getting at is, are the 20 year olds of 2008 less equip to handle war than the 20 year olds of 1968? It's a question I've pondered for a while, but haven't had time to look up the facts to draw a conclusion...
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It takes the dust to have it polished
I don't know any people who were there with me that have thought about it. Then again they may not talk about it either. Some of us had it worse than others. I would believe that the regular components (army, navy, air force, and marines) have more suicides than the reserve components. I may be wrong. I have had my struggles but nothing like the guys that came home from Vietnam, or so I have read. I wouldn't think that age, in this instance, has much to do with the ability to cope with war. I would say that treatment, both by doctors and American civlians, is much better. Technology is also better or the death rate may be close to the same as it was in Vietnam.
I wouldn't think that age, in this instance, has much to do with the ability to cope with war. I would say that treatment, both by doctors and American civlians, is much better. Technology is also better or the death rate may be close to the same as it was in Vietnam.
To be clear, I meant mentally. As in, did we raise tougher guys in 1968 than we're raising now? We always hear from the right about how sensitive kids are today, etc. etc. I was just wondering the kids today are less mentally prepared than the kids from 1968.
Then again, I think the average age of the soldier is higher in the Iraq war than in the Vietnam war.
Lots of variables to consider...
__________________
It takes the dust to have it polished
I don't know any people who were there with me that have thought about it. Then again they may not talk about it either. Some of us had it worse than others. I would believe that the regular components (army, navy, air force, and marines) have more suicides than the reserve components. I may be wrong. I have had my struggles but nothing like the guys that came home from Vietnam, or so I have read. I wouldn't think that age, in this instance, has much to do with the ability to cope with war. I would say that treatment, both by doctors and American civlians, is much better. Technology is also better or the death rate may be close to the same as it was in Vietnam.
I could have sworn that I'd read that the toll was heaviest on the reservists. I'd have to do some digging on that.
That is a good question. Overall, yes the guys over there are a little older. Partly because there is no draft. Thrown into the mix is the fact that the National Guard soldier is usually a little bit older too. I would think that the mental aspect is easier to deal with now because there aren't as many 'atrocities' taking place in Iraq as there was in Vietnam (not that I was in Vietnam but based on what I have read/heard). I am not saying there is no bad stuff going on over there, but I think there were alot worse things happening in Vietnam.
I could have sworn that I'd read that the toll was heaviest on the reservists. I'd have to do some digging on that.
As far as actual casualties (deaths in this instance?) there are more regular Army guys dying than any other branch. Marines are a close second if I am not mistaken. National Guard/Reserve are further down. www.globalsecurity.org is a good place to look. I know it is morbid to follow the 'death count' but I have buddies over there still and I worry about them.
Not gonna watch it. Just have to say the husband I sent to the sandbox is not the husband I got back and we were very lucky.
Mine isnt the same either But I dont really know how anyone can go over there and come back the same. It either changes you for the better, making you appreciate what we have over here or it changes you for the worse. Mine has a short temper, which is nothing like he was before he left. My kids walk on eggshells when he is home.
__________________ I don't pretend to have all the answers, I don't even pretend to know all the questions..... Hey, where am I?
The following user says thanks to MamaTyson74 for your post:
If you get disturbed easily, I wouldn't watch it. I hope the link works.
It disturbed me. As in pissed me off big time. I had to go watch some vids of JDAMs raining down just to make me feel a tiny bit better. Happens every time I see that crap.
I'm tired of all this nation-building and winning of hearts and minds. If we're gonna fight a war, let's *all* fight it somehow. Just like WW2. All or nothing. No fair sending guys over there to be targets.
Yeah, I know... Simplistic and unrealistic. That's my emotional reaction, though. If I had all the answers, I'd be...well...a lot smarter than I am, I guess
__________________ Arms are the only true badge of liberty. - Andrew Fletcher, 1698
The following 4 users say thanks to goober66 for your post:
OMG! That was horrible! All I could think of is our brave soldiers getting blown to bits! What were those yellow & red circles that were shown in some of the pics? Were they pointing out a body or parts of same flying through the air? One pic I could clearly see the body of a man being thrown through the air from the impact of the blast.
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We keep you alive to serve this ship! Row well & live! Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur
OMG! That was horrible! All I could think of is our brave soldiers getting blown to bits! What were those yellow & red circles that were shown in some of the pics? Were they pointing out a body or parts of same flying through the air? One pic I could clearly see the body of a man being thrown through the air from the impact of the blast.
Yes, it was parts. Some of this is still tame compared to some other stuff.
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But I dont really know how anyone can go over there and come back the same. It either changes you for the better, making you appreciate what we have over here or it changes you for the worse. Mine has a short temper, which is nothing like he was before he left. My kids walk on eggshells when he is home.
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