News Analysis: May 7, 2009
Our military must do more for our vets returning home with post-traumatic stress — and so too must our communities. Will blogging help some of our troops relieve some stress? Part of the problem is PTSD can hide for two years after a trauma, surfacing long after the war is over and all too often PTSD is accompanied by alcohol abuse by our returning troops looking to ease their pains. Perhaps Congress should investigate if the military is pressuring clinicians not to diagnose PTSD in our troops to save money? Without help, we can expect the already record-level of military suicides to continue to soar.
Drawing down US troops in Iraq will increase dwell time, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey. Too little dwell time for our troops has been a significant factor in the stress and psychological pain in the ranks. Even so, the deployments of our troops, including our National Guard and Reserve forces, continue nearly daily to Iraq. And our Guard still has critical equipment shortages to deal with.
Are VA health centers charging women for care relating to sexual assaults they suffered, despite a law requiring such care to be provided free?
No Tricare fee increases in 2010? That’s what President Obama’s budget says.
President Obama hosts the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House to discuss al Qaeda, the Taliban and other forces of instability in the region. The renewed combat between Pakistan and insurgents has filled hospital wards with refugees. The situation is so critical that there has been concern US troops might be sent into Pakistan — something Defense Secretary Robert Gates said there are no plans for.
New wounded warrior barracks are coming to Camp Lejeune, NC.
Fort Bragg, NC, is hosting a two-day conference celebrating the contributions of military spouses.