Who Pays The Price

[nomedic1]

An anniversary is coming up in a couple of days. An incident that affected me in a way I didn't think possible, I had being trying my best to get myself killed for about 13 years (another story). I came to realise its not the governments that made the decisions to invade or kill there own people that suffer its the men who have to make the decision to pull the trigger, not only at that moment but in their memories, because its not soldier killing soldiers, it's civilians getting hurt and soldiers living with that above everything else.

 

[BloomInWinter]

We ask far too much of our soldiers and demand far too little of our Government.

 

[Abstract]

After being on this site for a whole I start truly wondering if it is ethical to have armed forces. It seems wrong that so many people are left with what they are left with.

I hope you find some peace.

 

[cherryblossom]

I totally agree that governments don't do anywhere near enough to support traumatised soldiers. However, if a person joins the armed forces then I think they do so with their eyes wide open. Joining the forces means you will have to serve in the front line in wars, you will have to pull the trigger and you will have to kill.

There should definitely be more support in place for the men and women who serve all armed forces. However, I think it is very naive to think that anyone can serve and go to war and not be affected by what they see.

You deserve full support from the government, to help you to move forward in every way possible. I wish you peace.

 

[nomedic1]

Cherry blossom I did not have a choice I was conscripted, my government made me serve.

 

[cherryblossom]

I apologise for assuming you chose to serve.

In that case the government has even more responsibility to look after you and support you.

I guess I'd like to live in a ideal world, (but then there'd be no wars in the first place), where all governments give 100% commitment and whatever finance it takes to support those who have served and suffer as a consequence.

My heart goes out to you, it really does. I'm shocked and horrified by the lack of support for all troops world wide, you all deserve so much better.

 

[nomedic1]

I just wanted to be a medic, to save lives not take lives. If I didn't serve in the military it was a six years jail term. I never wanted to be armed, my government doesn't support any conscripted personal. I have moved to Australia and I have to pay for all my treatment, only small amounts are available on Medicare.

 

[cdg]

Horrible.

 

[Abstract]

I think not believing in what you are conscripted into fighting for must be truly dreadful Nomedic and add another significant layer to anything else experienced.

As for free choice when it is a choice: I was watching an advert encouraging joining armed forces and all I could think of is where is the warning at the end that says "you have a significant chance of getting PTSD which could affect the rest of your life and that of all who love you".


I don't think anyone who does not understand trauma can have any concept of what is at risk. Understanding one is going to be changed is very different to the realities of PTSD. Just my budding opinion.

Sadly there will always be war because of human nature and something has to be done about it I guess.

 

[nomedic1]

The military has its place. I would have served in a military I believed in, one that protected it people not oppress them. We were killing our own people.