the army, failing yet another soldier…

npr.org stories:

military wives fight army to help husbands

Soldiers Say Army Ignores, Punishes Mental Anguish

part of the warrior ethos in the army is: i will never leave a fallen comrade (which is also part of the soldiers creed). they will be the first to punish you for disobeying this duty, and the last to take responsibility when “they” have failed. they meaning people in the supervisory positions. it, is never their fault. the problem must be you.

Z is deploying at some point this year. and i am already in suspense at the thought of the toll it will take on him. and what may have to be done when he comes back. granted he is a very well rounded person and soldier. i cannot even guess what he will face. and how it will feel to carry it around. i wonder if he will come back damaged and broken. and if so, will i will be able to help him? will they help him?

the worst part of this, it shouldnt even be an issue. there should be no question of whether or not they will be there to help. it should be a given. what are we coming to?

——-

i know there is much scandal over the army pressuring the VA to provide less disability benefits.  im sure the money is stretched thin.  apparently, the army doesnt want to acknowledge that PTSD is a battle wound, even though you cant see it, it cannot be bandaged, and does whatever it wants, whenever it wants.  i guess its not good enough, doemestic violence is up, suicide rates are up, alcohol and drug abuse is up, depression rates up.  i just dont understand, and no one wants to answer any questions.

i am sad.

breaking it down…

child bomber kills 23 in iraq

graph via washington post

more from winter soldiers…

Winter Soldier on The Hill

C-Span Video of Winter Soldier on The Hill

testing

testing

asking for too much…

i’ve been here since the end of november and i had no clue there was a community message board woot!

i think that might be one of the only entertaining things going on here. Z is gone on a TDY, for a few more weeks, and not knowing anyone here, it gets pretty boring, especially with my school semester ending, and the poor economy here inhibiting me from getting a decent job (yeah people, i know burger king is hiring, i dont think so, not my cup of tea) side note: underemployment isnt much better than unemployment.

back to my point. i even thought about going to a movie, alone, which i would have no problem with, except, the ONLY SINGLE movie theater here, plays 6, yeah i said 6, movies. and the options are limited. im not really sure what the mayor is doing, but one of his first priorities should be his people. creating a favorable community, where jobs are available, roadways are clear of potholes and debris, every neighbor isnt a drug dealer, and every apartment isnt run by slumlords.

but maybe because im not a NY resident, maybe because i am a military spouse, i dont count as a person in the community. maybe i am asking for too much.

http://www.jeffcowebboard.com/smf/index.php?topic=9337.0

Fort Drums soldiers forbidden from going to local bar…

http://news10now.com/content/top_stories/115690/night-club-off-limits-to-soldiers/Default.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bREzOAZ1KhA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1H8vokC08g&feature=related

general oates made an executive decision based on a pattern of behavior. but the caller you can listen to on the first you tube link, who appears to be the owner of the Strand (local club/bar), is very upset. i guess his business has been greatly disrupted by the lack of business from the soldiers. i have never patronized this facility and i probably never will, but one night i was walking past and i couldnt tell you who was a soldier and who wasnt but it was pretty disgusting, people screaming in the street and breaking bottles. whatever. maybe the authorities should be better at intervening these behaviors. watertown police is a whole other story though. i used to be a cocktail waitress, and i can attest to the fact that people lose total control, i was a soldier as well, and i know the pressures can be very great, and many times they resort to the over consumption of everything including booz. maybe these behaviors are reaction to those pressures. maybe the first line supervisors of those soldiers need to better discipline their soldiers, and their first line supervisors discipline the privates’ first line supervisors, and so on.

honestly, its a lose-lose situation. this is indicative of the army today. ate-up!

Army Secretary Peter Geren will visit Fort Drum…

the Secretary of the Army will be visiting drum today.

press release

i think its invitation only. i received mine the night before i was supposed to rsvp.

i didnt rsvp. im not going because i am sick of being lied to.

i might try to get into the media group at the convention center.

march to Fort Drum…

this is an event targeting upstate NY residents along with the fort drum community, in a peaceful act of support for the troops and resistance against the war.

the “walk” goes from may 8 to the 17.

on the 17th, there will be a festival at the Black Water River Park & Campgrounds.

for more information please visit the NYS Marches for Peace website.

i will be there, woo, so come hang out.

more links…

sfc toby nunn

soldiers mind

24th MEU

war is boring

airforce restricts airmen from reading blogs (lame)

BADVOODOO on PBS, Frontline

random military news…

prior service, vietnam veteran, re-enlists 20+ years later.

Iraq Al-Qaeda Leader really caught?

some troops get to come home!

residents leaving Sadr City.

lt. gen sanchez, new book: wiser in battle, a soldiers story.

(i have yet to actually read the book, but i am doubtful that it holds any truth)

Guantanamo Bay Prisoner turned Suicide Attacker.