NYT: Stress on Troops Adds to U.S. Hurdles in Iraq

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/washington/06military.html

Stress on Troops Adds to U.S. Hurdles in Iraq

By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: May 6, 2007

WASHINGTON, May 5 — The detailed mental health survey of troops in Iraq released by the Pentagon on Friday highlights a growing worry for the United States struggle to bring order to Baghdad: the high level of combat stress suffered during lengthy and repeated tours.

The fourth in a continuing series, the report suggested that extended tours and multiple deployments, among other policy decisions, could escalate anger and increase the likelihood that soldiers or marines lash out at civilians, or defy military ethics.

That is no small concern since the United States’ counterinsurgency doctrine emphasizes the importance of winning the trust and support of the local population.

The report was provided in November to Gen. George W. Casey Jr., then the senior American commander in Iraq.

Pentagon officials have not explained why the public release of the report was delayed, a move that kept the data out of the public debate as the Bush administration developed its plan to build up troops in Iraq and extend combat tours. Rear Adm. Richard R. Jeffries, a medical officer, told reporters on Friday that the timing was decided by civilian Pentagon officials.

The survey of 1,320 soldiers and 447 marines was conducted in August and September of 2006. The military’s report, which drew on that survey as well as interviews with commanders and focus groups, found that longer deployments increased the risk of psychological problems; that the levels of mental problems was highest — some 30 percent — among troops involved in close combat; that more than a third of troops endorsed torture in certain situations; and that most would not turn in fellow service members for mistreating a civilian.

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[Monkeyman]

1. All DOD is doing is talking and not doing a dam thing

[babylonsister]

2. Not to defend, but this report was just released. Short of

getting out of Iraq, which is what's causing all these soldiers all these problems, I don't see any solution. And we know that's not going to happen, at least not in the near term. :(

[Monkeyman]

3. Long Term Broken Families, Jail, And Nightmares for ever

[babylonsister]

4. I hear you, Mm. This admin doesn't give a shit about

what they've created and the long-term effects. Their actions prove that.

[nam78_two]

5. ....

:kick:

[ninkasi]

6. In addition to the other outrages

done by Bush, think of this; he goes to bed early, takes time to exercise, and has taken more days off than any other president in history. Yet he, who pampers and babies himself, insists on policies that are grinding our troops into the ground, getting them killed, maimed, breaking up families, and denying the ones who make it back decent medical care.

In the meantime, he makes sure that the financial cost of his debacle is thrust upon the shoulders of the shrinking middle class, and poor...the haves and have mores, who are enriched by his invasion have had their burdens lightened under his disastrous reign. To pay for his illegal war, he and the neocons have shredded our social safety net, jeopardizing the lives and well being of hundreds of thousands of us.

To read about what is happening to our fighting forces makes me sick. I am so outraged at the harm done to our country, and Iraq, too. I pray every day that we will be able to put to rights some of the damage this arrogant bully has caused. My revulsion is limitless.

[babylonsister]

7. I share your outrage, ninkasi. Your words are very descriptive and

oh so sad; "he, who pampers and babies himself, insists on policies that are grinding our troops into the ground, getting them killed, maimed, breaking up families, and denying the ones who make it back decent medical care." Grinding the troops up - that is indeed what's happening. :(