Combat Stress Serving With The British Army in Bosnia

[Scott_Fraser]

He was born in Edinburgh, the Scott Monument is on Princess Street and you can climb up it. PS. You'll need a Paramedic Team when you reach the top, as you are absolutely knackered.
Did you get my private message.
Scott

 

[Amra]

Dear Scott,
I came to this forum (and to your post) by chance, while searching for information on PTSD.
My name is Amra, and I come from Bosnia. I was only seven when the war started. Reading your post made me cry and tremble, like every time, when I remember and “think too much” about what happened in Bosnia.

It is unfathomable what atrocities human beings are capable of doing. It is as if the worst instincts in humans are being unleashed. Even thinking about it hurts. Sometimes, when I think about that time, and look at Bosnia how it is now, it seems almost possible that all of it was just a horrible dream, or some other dimension not related to this world.

By thinking like this, one might easily loose faith in life, and human goodness.

However, war is also a time when the purest feelings of altruism and love come to light. I guess, it occurs as a counterforce to what is going on. You simply cannot believe that such goodness exists. Then, you can see humans doing incredible things that are to the utmost core void of selfishness. Feeling for others and hurting for not helping them …even if it was impossible to do.

And Scott…you are my proof for that.

I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart.


Currently, I live in Malaysia. I am student here, pursuing a degree in Psychology.
Please believe that I spoke from the heart. I pray for you to overcome every hurdle in life and to be happy, because the world needs good people.

Sincerely,
Amra

 

[anthony]

Welcome to the forum Amra.

 

[Scott_Fraser]

Hello Amra, how are you. Thank you for your kind words, but I was just doing my job in Bosnia, and trying to make some kind of difference to the peoples lives.
My Regiment was the Cheshires and we came to Bosnia in November 1992, and we were based in Vitez, and a sub-base in Tuzla, I was the only Scotsman in the Regiment, and I was proud of that fact. I was a full sergeant at the time of the troubles, and I was in A Company, 5 Platoon, which was the Stand-by Platoon, they were my Lads, most of them were just out of trainning, and it was my job to look after them and get them through this alive. The Platoon Commander was hardly ever there, so you could say that I was the Platoon Commander as well. But I had a great corporal to help me, he was as experienced as I was, and a great friend as well. My Combat Stress comes from the time I served in Bosnia as you know. But there were lots of happy and memorable times there as well.
I remember one day, it was just after Christmas, and a convoy of medical supplies came to the HQ. And we had to escort the convoy through the Serb Lines to a hospital with very sick children in it. So, the convoy had to get through. My platoon was given this task. My Commmander had asked me before we set off to keep an eye on the new Platoon Commander, he had just joined us, and was a bit green (New to the job). So we set off in our Warrior APC's (Armoured Personnel Carriers). After about an hour, we came to this Serb Checkpoint, with land mines laid right across the road. We stopped and the Platoon Commander and our Interpreter went across to the Serb Commander and asked him to remove the mines so that we could get by. The Serb refused to do so, my commander said that we were carrying medical supplies to a childrens hospital and we had to get through. This did not make any difference, the Serb refused to budge. Throughout all this I'm sitting in the Turret of my Warrior and watching, and I'm getting madder and madder.
So I put my pistol into my belt at my back and told my lads to cover me. I got out and went over to the Serb and I asked him to move the mines, back came the same reply. I then asked the interpreter to tell the Serb to move them or I would attatch one to his backside and throw him off the bridge. Still he wouldn't do it. Then I pulled out my pistol and pointed it at his head and said that I would count to 10 and if he did not remove the mines I would blow his head off. I started to count out loud, 1, 2, 3, 4, he barked out an order and 4 of his men came out of this hut and removed the mines. Job Done. We got the convoy through the lines successfully to the hospital. Back at headquarters my Colonel asked me into his office and said to me. Would you have pulled that trigger. I replied, That's one thing that you will never know Sir! He replied, Well Done Jock.
Take Care
Scott:hello:

 

[Dracanon]

Hi Scott, I am so sorry about that. I have a daughter, and I feel so grateful that I won't ever have to worry about stuff like that. I am a former marine in the United States, and I glad to hear you on here. I just discovered this place myself, and reading other peoples experiences makes me feel like I'm not alone anymore. I got PTSD from 9/11, I was stationed by the Pentagon, and watched it burn. I know this can't compare to your experiences, but I am glad that we have each others experiences to makes us feel like were not alone. Thank you for service, You are here on earth for a reason...

much love, and peace on earth...

-Zach-

 

[hevva1989]

Hi,
My partner is a veteran from the British armed forces. He served in Ireland where he has a similar thing happen to him however his was on the 23rd of October 1993. He was involved in the Shank hill Bomb where 10 people including the bomber were killed. He went to treat a young girl but she died in his arms and he thought that it was his fault that it had happened and that it should have been him who was killed not the children.

I know how hard it is for him every day to live with what has happened. He now goes to Combat stress in Leatherhead. He is coming to terms with everything. I cant say how he feels as I am not him but as his carer and his partner its hard to see someone you love so much tear themselves apart because of what has happened and that its not his fault. He is just starting at Combat stress and I know that it has helped him a little however as he is there now he doesn't want to come home because he knows that its not safe. I think its because being in the army is his comfort blanket and whilst he is there the army banter is still going on and he still feels like he is in the army. When he comes out his comfort blanket has gone.

I know that its hard been a carer and hard having it as we take it out on each other.

Thank you for your story and I suppose thank you for your help as well. I know that my partner will get there and I know that its a slow process.

I am also new to this and would like help trying to understand PTSD.