News Analysis: June 18, 2009

The stigma associated with seeking treatment for wartime stress is not limited by rank or service, or even country. We owe our troops nothing less than healing their “invisible wounds.” One Guard member is running to draw attention to the problem, which is too often erupting in suicides in the ranks.

The strain on our troops from constant deployments to war is creating a dire need for fresh troops, and these recessionary times are providing some of them. But there’s a new challenge for the military developing: how to train older recruits who must fight with, and serve under, peers less than half their age. Constant deployments are also incredibly stressful on our military families that remain at home.

The “rocket man” of Iraq’s Green Zone is still launching missiles into the administrative heart of Baghdad but on the plus side, the number of detainees held by the US in Iraq is at a four-year low. For now, everything is on track for a withdrawal of American troops from Iraqi cities. Meanwhile, we have Somalia, which could get far worse before long, North Korea, Pakistan, and Yemen, among others. And there’s still Afghanistan to worry about.

The number of VA claims is about to reach one million.

Making some things easier for our military kids.

Military families: don’t let the scammers get you.

Oregon looks to help make the transition for veterans returning home a little easier.

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