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The Truth About PTSD and America’s Military Veterans

Feb. 5, 2013 10:00pm Tiffany Gabbay

There are few people who inspire more respect and admiration than our brave servicemen and women — those willing to selflessly serve their country and at times, even face death for the sake of others. While it is always a celebrated occasion when a soldiers’ tour of duty has ended, those who endured combat often return home bearing painful psychological scars that few outside fellow veterans are equipped to understand.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder affecting one’s ability to cope physically and mentally following severe psychological trauma. Given war’s gruesome elements, it is no wonder many of those serving on the front-lines will experience the disorder at some point. Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, aggression and insomnia are just a few of the symptoms one experiences while in the throes of this serious condition.

Focusing on the sacrifices and struggles facing American soldiers today, Glenn Beck dedicated his Tuesday evening broadcast to those like former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was shot by a fellow veteran potentially suffering from PTSD just days ago.

“He came home and continued his life of service,” Beck said. “His mission was to help fellow battle-torn soldiers cope with coming home.”

Beck, who has spent time with the families of both Kyle and fellow veteran Marcus Luttrell, noted the senseless nature of Kyle’s death and that accusations leveled by Ron Paul and others indicating that Kyle had been “treating PTSD” only serves to disrespect the fallen veteran’s legacy.

Military men and women enlist for pure motives guided by “love of country,” Beck said. And because they believe it is the honorable thing to do. While the roles and duties for American soldiers are as diverse as the enlistees, those who serve in combat positions, or come toe-to-toe with life and death scenarios, face challenges few could imagine.

To illustrate, Beck read an excerpt from Kyle’s book, “American Sniper,” in which the world-class marksman explained how difficult his job truly was:

I looked through the scope. The only people who were moving were the woman and maybe a child or two nearby. I watched our troops pull up. ten young, proud Marines in uniform got out of their vehicles and gathered for a foot patrol. As the Americans organized, the woman took something from beneath her clothes, and yanked at it. She’d set a grenade. I didn’t realize it at first. ‘Looks yellow,’ I told the chief… ‘She’s got a grenade,’ said the chief. ‘That’s a Chinese grenade…’ ‘Take a shot. ‘But” — ‘Shoot.’ Get the grenade. The Marines- I hesitated. Someone was trying to get the Marines on the radio, but we couldn’t reach them. They were coming down the street, heading toward the woman. ‘Shoot!’ said the chief… I shot. The grenade dropped. I fired again as the grenade blew up. It was the first time I’d killed anyone while I was on the sniper rifle.

The passage outlines the difficult decisions those in Kyle’s position have to make everyday when they are on the front-lines and truly hold someone else’s life in their hands. The crisis of conscience, the call of duty, the desire to protect and do good, and feelings of guilt — even for killing one poised to commit unspeakable ill — are likely all emotions that rise to the surface of one’s psyche in these times.

When a veteran returns, potentially suffering from PTSD, prescriptions tend to be the first line of defense employed by doctors who’ve only a rudimentary understanding of the disorder. Despite their laundry list of serious side effects, soldiers in mental and emotional pain are left with few options but to take whatever help is afforded them.

Having gone through similar experiences, Kyle’s approach was to be a listening friend who helped fellow veterans endure through their own respective struggles.

Beck noted that medicines can only mask problems and symptoms of PTSD but cannot dislodge the painful experiences and emotions that brought them to bear in the first place. He added that we have an “obligation” to end the current war and prevent additional wars from being created. What’s more, a greater focus on the care troops receive upon their return home should be paramount.

Beck said it is his goal to raise money for helping to treat those with PTSD and noted the skewed priorities of government in spending billions of taxpayer dollars on other initiatives, knowing there are veterans in our country who are hurting.

Beck was also joined by Vietnam veteran Bill Potter, former Navy SEALs Pete Scobell and Marcus Luttrell to discuss PTSD:

–

Glenn Beck’s charitable organization, Mercury One, began taking donations for those wishing to honor Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield.

To donate by mail:
Mercury One
PO Box 140489
Irving, TX 75014

Make checks payable to Mercury one but in the memo field please write “Chris Kyle Fund.”

–

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (74)

shorelineliz
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:33am
Bullspit. Most vets turn on their wives and children and then they shoot themselves. This was a well thought out and calculated professional hit. You can all take the PTSD and just got out of the psyche ward crap and stick it where the sun don’t shine. My kid has been back from Iraq since 2003. Are you people stupid or something? Are you all sheep or what? This was a professional kill.

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- RaydocX
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 11:17am
  cool your jets.
  i’m glad your son is back and safe and sound.
  it’s possible, though, that given your reaction to the existence of a stress anxiety disorder specific to those tasked with the possibility of taking human life, that he IS having issues, or DID have issues, and merely hid them from you…
  
  most troops don’t talk about it when they get home… the questions we ask don’t help, and they likely don’t want to revisit an unhappy time or bad memories. and they are scared that we won’t understand, or will judge them… sounding judgemental about the existence of PTSD leaves me concerned.
  
  as to a ‘professional hit?’ if so, the killer would have melted away and never ben caught…
  i suspect Chris and his friend had no idea the soldier they were trying to help was armed… they were there for long range shooting, and Chris was likely in the role of teacher demonstrating… proned out, gun down range, with his friend on the spotting scope… easy unsuspecting targets even a psychotic could zap, and this one had combat training and experience.
  
  it’s a tragedy. and i believe Chris understands and forgives him. to those pretending what they were trying to do was wrong, such judgements are unfounded and unhelpful.
  
  but it’s no more helpful to pretend war doesn’t change our young men and women… when you step through that looking glass… accept that you can take another life, you are forever changed. Your son and others are the sheepdogs, protecting
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:33pm
  Liz — you are quite mistaken. Most troops re-enter life and do just fine. If most troops were committing murders as you hyperventilate they are doing, it would be all over the papers.
  
  Combat is not a new thing to the human psyche; it’s as old as the Biblical record. Nothing, no video game, etc., can prepare you for combat — or your house burning down. Both will leave the survivor w/PTSD if left untreated.
  
  What does work far more effectively is a debrief after the firefight. The technique is called – Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). It lets the mind process what just happened in a non-threatening way. Do that consistently and you don’t end up w/PTSD patients later. The problem is that many commanders do not understand the efficacy of CISD in the long-term. They are going for short-term patrols.
  
  Additionally, each person has different coping mechanisms when dealing w/the kids of stress experienced in combat. Some are more able to just pack it away and never deal with it again. Some others simply are incapable of packing it away and have to relive it frequently.
  
  And, yes, I do have a Combat Action Ribbon fm the first Gulf War. I worked closely w/the Combat Stress Center at my field hospital and have seen positive results of CISD.
  
  Report this comment
dustbunnieskill
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:29am
As a Vietnam vet,( yes a combatant) i have not harmed anything since i got out .

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- almilford
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 11:33am
  As Vietnam Vet with three Purple Hearts, I know full well the effects of PTSD. It took many years, after I came home for the Medical community and the VA to recognize the even was such a thing as PTSD.
  Mine manifested itself with all the typical symptoms. I have never severely hurt anyone. But, alcoholism, drug abuse and a really bad attitude were manifestations of, as the VA called it “too much combat”. Really? As long as we keep sending our young people into a “meatgrinder” we will have very damaged HEROS coming home.
  
  Report this comment
JoeinNC
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:54am
It is my experience that soldiers with a strong belief in a higher authority do better. The man accused of killing CK had a lot more serious problems than PTSD.

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- walnutportconservative
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:32am
  Amen Joe…
  Federal Government has been told to remove Jesus from the prayer of our Chaplains. A friend of mine
  PATRICK Cubbage got fired for doing God’s work. As a military honor guardsman at New Jersey’s largest veterans cemetery, Patrick had a practice of saying “God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America” as he handed over our nation’s flag to the families of deceased veterans.
  
  For that… Patrick was fired! The firing quickly became a national embarrassment.
  
  But…an embarrassment then, has become the “Norm” now.
  
  To make matters worse, his superiors initially quibbled with his public explanation of his discharge. They said he was fired for departing from protocol, not for offering the blessing.
  We are a post Christian Nation.
  Our president said we are not a Christian Nation.
  God is jealous. Blessed is the Nation who’s God is the Lord.
  Let the blame for the whole evils of this inability to cope, fall on our commander of Kingship. Also, let those with symptoms of distress reach to above the sun for the Son.
  We must remove the stumbling blocks. Far be it for me to be a stumbling block. We are watchmen, and I fear the enemy has infiltrated.
  
  from a major US city police force, was disciplined, because, as he handed the flag, to a fallen fellow officers wife, he would say “God Bless You,
  
  Report this comment
DennisNJ
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:18am
I could write so much on how real PTSD is and how it effects so many veterans coming back from a combat situation, fighting to prevent the over take of suppression from the established governments. Killing and dealing with “death” is not a natural thing,especially to an 18 year old.

58,272 + Vietnam vets died for the protecting the overtaking of South Vietnam by the communists. They were taught this is wrong and to die defending the rights of the people.

Now our country is being taken over from within, the very reason the vets defended South Vietnam. Those soldiers were willing to give their lives and thousands did to defend from socialism and communism. AND this DOES bother them and leave many unseen scars. PTSD is very real and most are very patriotic. They were treated badly by the American people and still are.

Healing is a slow process and our current direction of our politics doesn’t help at all. Thank a Vet!

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BooneCtyBeek
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:49am
Now let’s do this to our women.

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Gripegut
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 3:36am
I am a Veteran of two wars and though I would never dare to minimize the effects of combat on people serving in the military, I think that there is a plan by the Marxist in our country to paint nearly all Vets as mentally unstable and dangerous because they are suffering from PTSD. The Marxist would do this as a means to the end of disarming those who would most likely defend the Constitution, and who would also most likely be a threat to their Marxist plan to “fundamentally transform” America. Think about it. There are approximately 21.5 million Veterans living in America which vastly outnumbers any force our government could ever produce (active duty, guard, and reservs are only 2.3 million providing that they all would fight against their own people which is very unlikely). So, how do you disarm these defenders of the Constitution, the greatest threat to their Marxist agenda? By using the media to convince enough people that most Vets, especially those who are willing to defend the Constitution are suffering from PTSD so that they can be disarmed…for their “own good” of course.

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- mr.marine87
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:27am
  when I got out of the marine infantry last march they were passing P.T.S.D claims out like hot cakes. I know one guy who didn’t even see combat and claimed it, and he gets money for it every month. I agree with you and have seen this one coming for about a year know. I would rather suffer from my P.T.S.D in private than have my family’s protection taken away. Its just sad what our country has come to.
  
  Semper Fi to all my brothers in arms and the republic
  
  Report this comment
- skippy6
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:37am
  First, let me thank you for your service to this great Country…..I think you are spot on about Barrys plan to disarm America through his meaningful action plan….IMO if there is any kind of uprising over gun control he will use the Military on it’s own people. That’s where it could get real ugly… How many soldiers would defect to protect the constitution. I pray to God We can still undo what Barry has done in a peaceful manner after he is out in 2016 but it’s going to take time…I’ve been to the gun shops since he’s been elected and It’s a real eerie feeling seeing all the ammunition gone…
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:37am
  @Gripegut, I suspect the same thing. However, keep an eye on how many RINO’s are conceding the mental health angle. We have Bolshevik fascists running both parties now.
  
  Report this comment
- NDCORUP
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:36am
  And to mr.marine87, I was Army Art’y ’65-’68 and in agreement with you both. I’ve been observing this “condition” for about 6 yrs. now, and have very mixed feelings re:the Validity of most claims. Spent much time with other vets recently (’68) in V.A. hospitals for a transplant (liver).
  
  I have a brother-in-law who’s actively working with PTSD? vets in Indiana. His candid opinion is the same, many are Faking! Free Money! Get Some!
  
  I spent my time in the Orient. Got Over It. I suggest most of these Babies GrowUp!
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 4:27pm
  Gripegut
  
  You are dead bang on.
  
  Report this comment
Seeds
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:50am
So where is the link or site to donate?

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TH30PH1LUS
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:01am
An invitation to experience heartfelt gratitude and a healing of unseen wounds http://www.agratefulnationremembers.com

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arizona cowboy
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:46am
The symptoms of PTSD are real. The mind controlling and habit forming drugs that the VA Phych’s put us on are also very real. I saw people sitting in the corner of my bedroom holding rifles when the VA had me on that junk. I started sleeping with my loaded pistol under my pillow. I had to get away from the VA treatment, they were killing me. I have always said that if I stay with the VA long enough they will eventually kill me.

100% Service Connected with PTSD.

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- Arminius23
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:56pm
  Spot on. Remember the physicians are for the most part protected by the government and misdiagnose all the time. My soldier’s spouse is screwed up for life because of psych medication doled out by the Army medical system. They are trying to fix the world’s most sophisticated computer with a sledge hammers. Accident or intentional?
  
  Report this comment
CTLO
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:41am
I am a former Marine, and father of a Special Ops Marine (MARSOC) that came home two years ago. He left as all all-state football player, and track star. Spent his first year at West Point, but always wanted to be a Marine like his dad and grandfather. Like Chris Kyle, my son was a scout sniper. He was in Farah when his best friend, another sniper was taken out by a pro. It shattered my son. And when he came home he was not the same. The VA has been nominally helpful. But his other injuries (traumatic brain) contribute to short term memory loss. He was arrested a year ago for mixing it up with a small town cop. It took 5 later to subdue him. I am literally watching my son descend into hell.

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- galicant wiseword
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 2:23am
  I would encourage you and all who are interested to read “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl.
  
  Logotherapy is the definitive treatment for PTSD. After years and years of college I finally was introduced to this form of therapy and wondered why it was not the first thing I learned. Good luck and God Bless.
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:31am
  What’s his first name? My wife and I would like to pray for him.
  
  Report this comment
lgvision
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:26am
Recently at my Rotary club, we had a speaker from the University of South Florida, a member of a medical research team that had had remarkable success with an innovative cognitive and physical therapy for PTSD. I would recommend vets look into it: http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/jun/25/memeto1-new-usf-therapy-may-ease-ptsd-ar-419997/ As a veteran myself, with a heart for my students who are veterans, I pray that this fulfills its early promise. They do need participants for future studies. Hope that helps – God bless! Lynn Grinnell

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Chancellor
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:26am
I honestly think the rise in PTSD is due to a weaker mentally Society. WW-II vets that grew up in hard

times also grew mentally tough. Those of age to be in the service today,and it’s only about 10%, have never had the hard life.

No jobs can’t afford or too lazy for school so they join the service thinking they will skate through and use the Military College grants to get themselves a good job……..Then a war starts and they are sent to it.

But itis they’re choice no one made them join…….I spent a long time in war zones…..I sleep very well thank you. And now if you even Mention anything about it you lose your 2nd amendment rights Immediately even if you don’t have it.

We are certainly becoming a nation of whimps…..No wonder the Islamists are winning!

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- Jediusetheforce
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 2:21am
  I agree, I know a guy who says he has it from going to Bosnia and seeing mass graves on one tour. I think its just his smoking(weed) and drinking daily that’s killing him. He finally got the government to give him a check for $800.00 bucks every month after he got into some trouble. Thanks be to the tax payers. That’s BS in my book.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:45pm
  Not so fast! In WWI, we called it “Shell Shock.” In WWII, we called it “Combat Fatigue.” By Vietnam, we were beginning to look at it differently and settled on “PTSD.”
  
  PTSD can affect ANYONE who finds him/herself stressed beyond immediate capacity to deal with the stressors. Much of NYC near Ground Zero suffers fm PTSD as do rape victims, house fire victims, car crash victims, etc. When you cannot meet the stress and control it, you can find yourself in PTSD later on.
  
  Verbal processing of the incident within 72 hrs improves the outcome for the individual. Who finds what stressful beyond normal coping means varies by person. Some are vastly more resilient than others. Those who know they are loved, truly cherished, seem to be able to ride the storm of unnatural stress better than those who are missing that. However, come situations in combat are so traumatic, that nobody can get through it w/o some inner damage.
  
  Kids today are no different fm the kids we have sent off to war in the past. The Civil War, one of the bloodier affairs in our nation’s history, would have produced many w/PTSD, but the symptoms were not understood as they are today.
  
  Report this comment
BannedByHuffpo
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:12am
I’ve read and re-read all the combat-after-action-reports from the sapper assaults and the 188 rocket strikes launched at my unit during my year tour in Vietnam. Hundreds of casualties and multiple deaths. Much destruction. My sense at the time I recall these rocket barrages happening was sheer terror wondering where the next one was going to hit. And damnit! I’m only 20 and have a whole lot of life yet to live! And yet today, just as the same day I stepped off that FTA freedom bird in San Francisco, I have no feelings one way or the other. Just numb. It has never felt real. Just surreal. I guess I was there because all the paperwork says so. I have some memories, but after decades of suppressing most of them, I’m comfortable with where I was, why I went, what I did, and how come I came home. College, graduate school, marriage, a family, and responsibilities of being a husband and father took precedent and didn’t really give me much time to dwell on “what if?” Definitely thankful for that.

I can’t imagine the anguish some of the vets deal with. Why it didn’t consume me, I don’t know. I hope there’s eventually true solace and peace for those souls still tormented by the ravages of war only they in their own hearts and minds had to deal with.

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UBETHECHANGE
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:09am
Proverbs 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

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- UBETHECHANGE
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:23am
  My comment above is aimed @imperative.
  
  Somehow It didn’t post in the right place.
  
  Report this comment
- imperative
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:51am
  Why are you calling me a fool? I asked a simple question.
  
  It was your opinion that the word “treating” was problematic. So would the post have been any less offensive if the word “treating” had not been used?
  
  Report this comment
jungle J
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:46pm
a soldiers heart, shell shock, battle fatigue…fools are funny.

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duderino_the_dude
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:09pm
Another person has mentioned that PTSD was not as big of a problem in WWII as it is today, despite the conflict involving over 6 million servicemen & there being 450K KIA-much more than the 10K that we’ve lost between Iraq & Afghan. As a former Marine infantryman & Iraq combat veteran, there is some truth to the point this person raises. Let me explain.

In WWII, the whole U.S. pop. was affected by the war. All supported the war & the troops. PTSD was still there; nightmares, flashbacks, etc but generally there was no anger assoc. with it. The returning vets achieved full victory, & came home to a country that had literally sacrificed tires & meat, understood the stakes of what losing would have meant, & who followed their struggle in detail. Psycho. trauma? Yes. Anger? No. Not for WWII vets.

Vietnam Veterans had it the worst. They received the opposite of WWII vets: few supported them; even less supported their mission. They had psychological trauma that wasn’t balanced by clear cut victory or the notion that people shared in their sacrifice.

The experience Vets receive today is hit or miss. Going to an infantry battalion, a common thing to hear is “America is not at war, America is at the mall.” The guys know whats up. They fight anyway. They are only balanced by the 20% of America that goes out of their way to let them know they care about them & support their mission. Politicians have not defined the mission well to put it mildly. There is your anger component

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- IMCHRISTIAN
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:21am
  I so agree with you in regards the difference between WW11 and other wars. My heart, soul and prayers go out to all that risk everything for the ones back home. They may not get the backing that they so much deserve but they earn a lot more then some of the decision makers do in respect, money and honor. God Bless our servicemen and women. I love you all and Thank You to all who are in service or have served.
  
  Report this comment
- galicant wiseword
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 2:30am
  astute observations. PTSD is a problem that is rampant in America. It is the physical symptoms of an inability to cope with a traumatic event or series of events. You don’t have to be a combat-vet to experience it. To summarize it is a problem of purpose. The vets in WWII had a defined and clear purpose. In subsequent wars things have been foggier. Finding purpose in our lives and existence directly counteracts the symptoms of PTSD. Again I encourage all who read this to read Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”.
  
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qpwillie
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:59pm
I think this hit Glenn pretty hard. I guess they were really good friends.

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Iam4America
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:54pm
The discussion of PTSD today was the best I’ve ever heard. It helped me understand that we more than ever need to treat the person and not with drugs. It always helps to have someone know and understand what you are going through. Being a listener to someone without judging them can be the best medicine.

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woodyee
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:44pm
GREAT article, Tiffany!!! Thank you!

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SolitudeBliss
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:42pm
Why don’t we STOP giving away our money to countries that hate us and intend us harm and instead use it to help our soldiers returning home ! Shame on us for demanding better for our brave men and women in uniform.

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Brother Winston Smith
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:42pm
Hmmm… I’m still waiting for the FAKE-conservative/libertarian Beck show about the THOUSANDS of Americans who’ve been killed, raped, child-molested, home-invaded and hit-n-run over by illegal aliens. You would have NO PROBLEM filling your studio with families like the Bolognas or Shaws. Don’t know those names? No surprise.

Seems… deaths that fit the leftist republican narrative “war, war, war”… are a little more… show-worthy… than others.

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- bpodlesnik
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:50pm
  You are a sad, sad, individual.
  
  Report this comment
- Brother Winston Smith
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:57am
  Correct, bpodlesnik. I’ve been sad about my Republic for quite awhile. And angry with the FAKE-conservative/libertarians and their SELECTIVE outrage (as long as it benefits the republican party and it’s leftist, interventionist agenda).
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:01am
  yeah after world war 2 our troops would not have to have this but than the neo cons and zionists came along with their racist foreign policy.
  
  Report this comment
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:40pm
Maybe, just maybe, when you are in an Islamic country, and you shoot somebody, you stop and think, every dime spent in an Islamic country supports the religion of Islam? How much does that contribute to your physchotic experience demoralizing your soldiers?

What about the PTSD of the rest of us getting this propaganda and liberal agenda shoved down our throats on a daily basis, you don’t see us cracking? We fight back peacefully by number one, making those responsible for this chaos not only feel guilty and full of shame through common sense, but lead them back on the path to prosperity, and then educate the rest of the people that will listen when the politicians do not?

Yes, it’s tough being in the military, so cowboy up?. You don’t like it, talk to your Congressman, or don’t join the military? How many soldiers comit suicide because people tell them its ok to have PTSD, we will treat you? There is no treatment for PTSD other than allow time to run its course, let yourself go down another path if things bother you, don’t expect to turn to people to feel sorry for you, give you some drugs to screw up your head even more, then expect to get better?

Get a pet, talk to God, join a church, follow a good leader, but don’t take for granted that you even have PTSD, because you better prove beyond a reasonable doubt that has happened, or did you talk yourself into it?

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- justangry
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:55pm
  Shut up.
  
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JJohnGalt2
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:19pm
6,000,000 World War II veterans fought a war with horrific slaughter of humans never before encountered before or since, came back raise families, made the US a country second to none, preserved the peace vs a threat never before seen before or since, and NEVER did PTSD come up.
PTSD is a SCAM.

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- 13th Imam
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:36pm
  They had jobs to come home to. They weren’t villified by the POS in chief. My dad was one of those vets and most of my friends dads were those vets. The DEMOCRAT Party (like John Kerry and Chuck Hagel) turned on their fellow soldiers and this is the core of soldier haters. Barry is just the latest of the marxists that we fought. But now he leads these traitors.
  
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- netmail
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:40pm
  Many newer ‘syndromes’ are brought on by breakdowns in human relationships beginning from the day people are born. As we see every day, people don’t do well alone and disconnected.
  
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- media-bias-steals-elections
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:49pm
  I agree. Gen Patton used peer pressure, he did not beat around the bush saying, you know this might be hard, but you know if you get home, we have some treatments for you? NO! He said reach in, grab the intestines of the enemy, and grease the track of your tanks with it!
  
  It’s not hard to establish what the Establishment has done, they don’t like it when you mess up their time tables? I bet President Obama could read this post, have 30 focus groups, and still not tell his own people, I think PTSD is a bunch of mumbo jumbo, this is clearly a moral leadership problem from a lack of my inspiration, I am going to cowboy up, not one more soldier is going to either die or get PTSD if I have anything to say about it?
  
  George S. Patton’s Cigar Puffing,
  telling you PTSD is nothing,
  the enemy is huffing and puffing,
  making you wish you were harmless like a muffin?
  So slap back the whack, and take your back bone back,
  you’re in the army now and that’s a fact, Jack?
  
  Ooooooo Rah.
  
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- nuttyvet
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:10pm
  You sir obviously never served in a combat zone. It’s amazing to read commentary from people who are so brave behind a pseudonym but have never stared down the barrel of a gun. Your education on the subject matter came from movies and not from demons that keep you up at night.
  
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- vetformorals
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:16pm
  JJohnGalt2,
  You are wrong to assume that PTSD is a scam. The Vets coming home from WWII had jobs and families to come home to. If a Vet with PTSD comes home & is kept busy, then their symptoms may not appear until years later. It is usually the case, when a Vet returns & he/she has no job, no family/family support that their symptoms appear. Those from WWII did not talk about such things, they went on with their lives and kept themselves busy with family, jobs, lives. It is when they retired, or had nothing to occupy their time that their symptoms appear. I know from personal experience that Vets from WWII did in fact have PTSD. I know from personal experience that Vet’s from Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm,and every other war in recent history have PTSD. I know the symptoms, I know the horror, I know the people. I volunteered at the VA for many years & met a lot of these Vets. I understood their pain. When you could get a WWII Vet to speak of what he felt, it was the same pain, the same flashbacks, the same living events over and over again. I know this pain, I know these flashbacks. Kyle was engaging these Vets. Doing something they knew. You deal with the flashbacks and pain by confronting them. Doesn’t mean that they go away, you just learn to live with them. I know this because I too have PTSD. And until you spend one day in my life feeling the pain that I have felt over the past 20 years, then you are not qualified to classify PTSD as a scam. I can assure you it is not
  
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- DEFCON4
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:30pm
  @ Nuttyvet and Vetformorals,
  
  They’re just Fighting the Battle of the “BULGE”.
  
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- pudssweetie
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:34pm
  John, back in the 40′s, PTSD was called Battle Fatigue and many men did come back home and suffered from Battle Fatigue. John Bradley, who I knew personally, was one of the men who helped to raise the American flag on Mt. Suribachi came home with Battle Fatigue and suffered with it till the day he died. He did come home and raised a family and started his own successful Funeral Home business in Antigo WI. His Son, who wrote the book, Flags of our Fathers and was turned into a movie, explained how his Dad would wake up in the middle of the night screaming from the nightmares he had and how he had become withdrawn from his family due to the Battle Fatigue he suffered during World War 2. Battle Fatigue or PTSD which it is now known by and is not a scam and it is not only Service Men who suffer from it, women also suffer from it as well. Women who have been beaten or abused often suffer from PTSD, as well as women who have been raped. Children who have been abused also suffer from PTSD. Maybe if you did some research you would know this information.
  
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- jungle J
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:44pm
  the ignorant speak as the ignorant and hate filled progressives.
  
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justangry
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:19pm
Here’s a video of veterans raising awareness for PTSD last presidents’ day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yewKCcFSvQ

I sent numerous tips about the event. It was during the media blackout of Ron Paul which the Blaze participated in, so it wasn’t news I guess. Yup GB took the high road and went along with the rest of the media.

I guess it’s news now after the guy whose been trying to raise awareness for quite some time is being demonized. Anyone who doesn’t advocate the just war theory doesn’t care about veterans suffering from PTSD.

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- DLV
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:41pm
  Uh what did GB do wrong about PTSD? He is talking about it in the video here.
  
  Also are you in this video? lol
  
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- imperative
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:40pm
  When it affects him personally, he cares.
  
  Good video.
  
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- justangry
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:51pm
  Let’s just put it this way. There are some of us that became Ron Paul supporters because what he says matches our world view based on being over there. Also I believe RP has been the ONLY politician in Washington that gives a flying crap about us. He’s also the only politician who addresses the root cause of our angst. (Abandoning the just war theory) Now GB and his lackeys demonize him at every opportunity, while he claims to be one of us. It’s insulting on so many levels.
  
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- DLV
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:50am
  Just- okay so just to be clear GB didn’t do anything wrong on PTSD got it. Also, I think Beck does respect Paul he just has a few issues with him, like me. On the video where he rebukes Paul he admits he admires the fact he stands up for the constitution but you guys never point that out do you? You never point out the fact that Beck has praised Paul in the past and present. It’s always negative negative negative attack attack attack. Also correct me if I’m wrong but Beck doesnt generally go around demonizing Paul in fact this seems to be the first itme in a while since the election really that he has talked about him. Glenn I think is looking for someone to support who shares all his ideas. I think Glenn really likes Rand a lot. My issue with Paul has always been about Foreign policy and never domestic.
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:54am
  “Just and Unjust Wars” by Michael Walzer
  
  Now, where is the Unjust War?
  
  I would say WW1 & the Spanish-American Wars were unjust.
  
  I would say that WW2 & the wars thereafter are Just Wars.
  Certainly, we had cause to go into Afghanistan.
  
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imperative
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:17pm
`…accusations leveled … indicating that Kyle had been “treating PTSD” only serves to disrespect the fallen veteran’s legacy.`

This is confusing. The shooter did have PTSD, right? I don’t understand how indicating that Kyle had been helping this guy out because of his PTSD serves to disrespect him.

What am I missing?

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- UBETHECHANGE
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:30pm
  Ron Paul 2/4/13: “Treating PTSD at a firing range doesn’t make sense”
  
  Chris was not “treating” Routh for PTSD at the gun range. He was building camaraderie with a fellow soldier.
  
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- imperative
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:14pm
  So the issues is with the word “treating”? Doesn’t that seem a little like splitting hairs?
  
  The had issues. Those issues revolved around PTSD. Kyle reached out to the guy in order to help him. The way in which he reached out was to take him shooting at a range.
  
  Only issue I could see with the word “treating” is if someone was accusing Kyle of practicing medicine without a license, which no one seems to be doing.
  
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- UBETHECHANGE
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:35pm
  RP was implying via his tweet, that the killer was their getting treated for PTSD. “Treating PTSD at a firing range doesn’t make sense”
  
  FYI Conquerer’s live and die by the sword, not our soldiers.
  
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- imperative
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 11:45pm
  But would it be less offensive if he tweeted: “Taking a guy with PTSD to a firing range doesn’t make sense” ?
  
  I don’t see that as being much different. I mean, I’m sure you’re right that there wasn’t any treatment in the medical sense going on, but does that one word really make that much difference?
  
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- DennisNJ
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:26am
  Quite simply, vets are the best persons to get through to other vets. It’s tough at times but comforting to know one is not alone with PTSD. A Vet TRUSTS another vet before a doctor. To heal, trust is all important, and given to a very few.
  
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- imperative
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 11:53am
  @DENNISNJ:
  
  I completely believe your statement. But if the word of disrespect is “treating”, then I’d still wonder if it would be considered any less disrespectful if the tweet had been reworded to not say “treating”, and if so, why.
  
  In other words, I still don’t understand how Kyle’s legacy is disrespected by any wording that suggests he was helping someone with PTSD.
  
  I understand that people are offended by the scripture Ron Paul quoted, but that’s not what was mentioned as the offence in this article.
  
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- Elena2010
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:05pm
  In the first Gulf War, our Combat Stress Centers were close enough to the action that you could hear the bombing and feel the ground shake shortly thereafter. Yet, you were far enough back as not to be overrun by the enemy.
  
  If you keep the patient close to the action, he does not detach fm his being a combatant yet has time enough to process what he experienced. Generally within a week, he was back to normal and returned to his unit. Removing him further to the rear often kept him fm fully recovering and led to further manifestation of PTSD symptoms.
  
  PTSD symptoms are as complex as the person exhibiting them. What is stressful to one may not be stressful to another. My great-grandmother refused to have electricity in her home. She had seen house fires and refused to give it a chance. That was a PTSD response to someone else’s tragedy. As an elderly lady, she broke her hip at a time when that usually ended in pneumonia and death. She was left for years bedridden. In her mind, though, she was up and about. Again, a PTSD response to her own tragedy.
  
  What Kyle may have been trying to do in addition to building camaraderie was present the Marine w/the sound and smell of combat in an effort to unlock what ailed him. To this day, the smell of diesel fumes can remind me strongly of Saudi Arabia and the war there. Smell and sounds are very useful tools to unlock the pain of combat.
  
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- imperative
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 2:20pm
  @ELENA2010
  
  What an excellent, thoughtful post.
  
  When you say this:
  
  “What Kyle may have been trying to do in addition to building camaraderie was present the Marine w/the sound and smell of combat in an effort to unlock what ailed him.”
  
  …that sounds a little bit like someone treating another person, but either way, I still don’t understand why making such a suggestion would disrespect Kyle’s legacy as the article claims. I think whether “treating” or not, the fact that Kyle reached out to this guy only enhances his legacy.
  
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