What Russell is accused of doing is shocking but, in one sense, unsurprising – at least to those familiar with statistics on the psychological toll that war takes on our troops.
A 2008 Army study established that the rate of soldiers reporting serious mental health problems increases with each deployment. By the third go-around, 27 percent of soldiers show significant signs of stress. National Guard and Reserve troops are suffering the worst, another report found. Russell was on his third one year deployment to Iraq. His military record also shows that he served in Serbia through the last half of 1996 and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last half of 1998.
I believe that Russell suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Not that I'm a doctor, by any means, but the signs are all there.
When is our military going to learn that our troops are not disposable? That they cannot be used over and over again without showing signs of damage?
My heart goes out to the soldiers and their families that were killed and wounded in this tragedy. I do not condone what Russell did in any way, and believe he needs to pay for it, but I believe he is a victim, too.
This was just tragic!!!
ReplyDeleteI have mixed emotions about this one.
The guy I think does have PSD but I feel so bad for the families of all involved even the shooters.
Have a good evening
Scrappy
Of course you're right, Donna. The families and loved ones of the poor victims deserve our deepest sympathy.
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