Peacekeeping duties may harm soldiers' health

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L12420875.htm

LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Peacekeeping duties in trouble spots around the globe may be damaging soldiers' mental health, British researchers said on Friday.

Long periods of boredom interspersed with moments of extreme anxiety -- rather than the constant tension of war -- are taking their toll, they found.

Their conclusions were based on a study of 200 soldiers in an infantry battalion that served in Northern Ireland between 1993 and 1994.

After a six-month tour of duty in the troubled province, soldiers reported higher levels of psychological and physical problems and increased symptoms of anxiety and feelings of social isolation.

more

[JaySherman]

1. Quick! Someone foreward that report to * and Rumsfeld!

[CRK7376]

2. As the kids would say...DUHHHHHH!

What rocket scientist(no harm meant for you rocket scientists out there)dreamed up this report. Tell me about the psych damage from facing AKs, RPGs, not to mention a few black powder rifles on a daily basis...and that was in Afghanistan, not Iraq where are guys are getting shot at and blown up daily. Yeah it affects you. Thanks Shrub for the nightmares and cold sweats...