“Stressed Out” Soldier Kills Five In Iraq (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Contrary to earlier reports, the soldier did not kill himself but was overpowered and taken into U.S. custody.
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A US soldier described as being “stressed out” shot and killed five fellow soldiers at Camp Liberty in Iraq (r), before turning the gun on himself.
The toll was the highest for U.S. personnel in a single attack since April 10, when a suicide truck driver killed five American soldiers with a blast near a police headquarters in the northern city of Mosul.
The shooting occurred at 2pm Iraq time. Three others were wounded during this incident.
The U.S. has been criticized over its lack of psychological support for members of the military returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there have been reports, including interviews with service members, that indicate U.S. military commanders have in the past placed a stigma upon any military personnel who claimed they were suffering from PTSD.
However, the situation in this area has been improving as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have continued, so it is particularly tragic that this would occur in a “stress clinic” in Camp Liberty itself.
U.S. military commanders have in the past placed a stigma upon any military personnel who claimed they were suffering from PTSD.
This should be thoroughly investigated, and any military commanders who pressure our servicemen and women to forgo needed medical treatment, or who permit those under them to do so, should lose their command.
Rocky the Liberal Rottweiler Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
“U.S. military commanders have in the past placed a stigma…”
No surprise. It goes on everywhere. Mention counseling to a cop and he/she will inform you that he/she doesn’t want to join the rubber gun squad.
May 11th, 2009 at 11:50 am
RIP.
May 11th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
“The U.S. has been criticized over its lack of psychological support for members of the military returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan”
I think this is because of the attitudes common in America that psychological issues are just a bunch of ‘psycho-babble’ and repressive attitudes reign the day in many situations. This leads to people becoming twisted up enough to do something like this tragic incident.
Until we treat Psychology as a real science in both our media and out government we will not be providing the best that we can for one another.
May 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I feel horrible for all of the families. And the fact that too many U.S. Commanders are behaving like George C Scott’s Patton in the soldier-slapping scene is abominable.
Daddio Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Sarah, we need more Generals like Patton. He was one of the most effective and respected Generals in US history. Yes, he slapped a soldier. He was repremanded for that. Everyone makes mistakes. But you cannot condemn Patton over this one tiny aspect. Of course todays whining society could never take a Patton.
TDro319 Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Amazing how you trivialize PTSD, Daddio. Believe it or not it is a very debilitating and destruction condition. Perhaps if you witnessed the killing and destruction war causes firsthand, you’d think differently.
Daddio Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Didn’t truvialize anything TDro. You are very good at reading a post and not even having one iota what was posted. Never said anything about PTSD.
Perhaps if you were to read real slowly you might be able to actually understand what I wrote. Can you read TDro?
TDro319 Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Daddio:
Why don’t you go f#$% yourself?
(Just joking, don’t go all ballistic on me ;))
That said, I was responding to your whining society comment. You may not have mentioned PTSD, but that’s the implication I got.
Sarah Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Daddio: “Yes, he slapped a soldier. He was repremanded for that. Everyone makes mistakes.”
So then you agree with me that trivializing PTSD equates to gross negligence.
Sure, Patton was great– but this was a big f-up of his, and unfortunately, it’s still going on.
As for today’s “whining society….” How long have you been serving in the Middle East now?
Daddio Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Sarah, Like I just said to TDro, I never said anything about PTSD. Never trivialized it because I didn’t address that topic.
What I meant by whining society was everyone on God’s green earth is offended by even a hangnail. Say anything someone doesn’t like and they are offended and go crying to their lawyer.
Sarah Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Agreed, look what the neocons are doing to Wanda Sykes.
steve Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Patton had PTSD for slapping those guys. If their was no war and armies,Patton would viewed as a nut case running amok on the streets of our nation.
Yes,he was a great general. I happen to think he had PTSD as well because of his overall actions.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
The military has taken no psychological action on service people. World 1 vets turn to crme doing the roaring 20,s and their tent city burn down in DC and vets where killed from that action.
Some World 2 vets come back and help start 1 of the most dangerous gangs ever ,The Hell Angels and many more drifted away. Some became beatniks and alot of them became drug addicts.
Korea War vets travel down the same path as well for not having the ability to adjust to a normal life.
Nam vets,reality bites and mlitary should have learn from this war. Our nation has a ton of scars and wounds that are not healed. Psychological damage is running rampant and war can make any1 snap. I like Patton and Patton snap as well slapping those soldiers that war can stress any1 out from General George C Patton to pvt Pyle. Patton damn sure had PTSD.
May 11th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
The real tragedy is now this soldier will be treated like a criminal (which the act itself WAS criminal) but the underlying reason(s) as to why he committed such an act will probably never be addressed. All these soldiers have some sort of PTSD. You’d be less than human to have to live day in and day out, worried and on the look-out constantly if today is the day you’ll be killed,and not be disturbed emotionally. These men and women need help, on a daily basis, not just when they return home. It should be continual, they should not be shamed for having emotions and fearing what’s around the corner.
Both my husband and I were lucky that neither of us saw combat when we were enlisted. We did live in OKC during the Murrah bombing and my husband went and helped to search for bodies. Just in the few days he helped search was enough for him to get pschological help. Imagine actually being in combat, no I take that back, I can’t imagine, I don’t want to imagine.
These men and women protect and serve every day, the LEAST their country can do for them is to protect their psyche and give them the support they need and DESERVE.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:48 pm