How do soldiers live normal after killing and being Shot at?

Question

When soldiers go to war...most of them think their just gonna shoot a few and come back home "heros". when they really get into war, they learn to love and really mature and become aware of how life isnt something to take granted, about how you shouldnt complain that you didnt get the "right type of wine" or the "sofa isnt comfy enough". and all the small stuff in life. but after war the only way out is through a body bag or wounded...those who make it back. what happens to them? they are so traumatized by war and stuff ? how do they go on with their normal lives again? what happens to them?

Answer 1

they go through psychological evaluation before returning to the civilize world.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say that about taking things for granted, I know a lot of soldiers that didn't take that stuff for granted before going there, and I know soldiers that are over there that still take the little things personally. Again it is not true that the only way out is Body Bag or being Wounded, I know people that have been wounded 10 times, and are still fighting, and remember these are year long deployments, Vietnam was 2 year deployments, the last real war that you saw the beginning to end of war for soldiers was World War II, where they did fight until they were wounded seriously or they died.

They go on to live their lives, Soldiers really are not that traumatized by this war, I mean yes they go and kill and yes it is them or me mentality, but they are doing a job, they come home they are no longer doing that Job, you get PTSD a lot, where you get the flashbacks and night sweats and stuff, but with a loving family and understanding community soldiers can go back to living completely "normal" lives.

Vietnam saw the outrage and brutality of communities upon soldiers returning, and that caused some of the issues that you see with Veitnam Vets, they came home to people spitting on them and hating them for what they did. They did that to STAY Alive, not to have fun in the Jungle.

Answer 3

I served in Vietnam for two tours, 67-68 and I never had any problems and never went uunder any physcological testing or anything. I think it all depends on the individual, some can adjust to anything but others have a tough time. I did experience flashbacks but they soon left me as well. Now a very productive member of out society (such that it is), have four kids and a great life...of course I had to work for it! Also, I don't know of anyone me or my son that servedin Iraq that went over there thinking that they are going to shoot a few and come back heros!

Answer 4

When military men and women go into combat situations, they don't go thinking they'll come out a hero. Mostly we think only about coming out ALIVE and whole. After the war, the only way out is NOT in a body bag or wounded. Many combat vets have lived normal, successful and prosperous lives. One of my good friends died recently. I knew he was a 2 tour combat Marine in Viet Nam, but what he didn't talk about was is experiences. I found out after the funeral that he had earned the Bronze Star, several air combat medals, 3 purple hearts, and several other awards. He owned his own company for many years. You don't hear about people like Rick, who are the majority. You only see the handful of vets, who if they had experienced trauma in the civlian world would not in all likely hood not been able to cope there either. What gripes me is those people who say LOOK AT ALL THOSE HOMELESS VETS. Anyone can buy a fatigue jacket, get some patches and pins and pretend to be a vet. I met one on one of my many trips to D.C. and after a few questions, he proved to be a fake. Knew NOTHING about combat, knew NOTHING about the military that you can't get out of a book. His stories made no sense, and his time line was screwed up, too. I found a great book about FAKE VETS.....title is STOLEN VALOR. You'd be surprised at a news-caster who said he was a Marine, yet never made it through boot camp. Or the movie star who says he was a Marine and was wounded in Viet Nam, but the closest he got was Okinawa. Many other stories in that book. Check it out.
(USN, retired/in-country Viet Nam vet)

Answer 5

VietNam vet/1968-69

My experience is you just had to put it behind you and move on with life, it's a kill or be killed scenario to be truthful.

I had bad dreams/nightmares for about 10 years but I somehow made peace with my demons. Post traumatic stress wasn't a recognized problem when I got out so no the VA wasn't a big help.
At least now there are programs available so when you do transition to civilian life you know help is out there if you need it.

Also having supportive family helps and so does a good network of friends.

As for your 'heroes' comment, I remember my 1st patrol and realized I sure didn't want to die there and made it my priority to get my buddies and myself home in one piece. The only true hero's in my opinion were the medics,always the 1st one to reach you when you were hit and with little or no protection except our covering fire.

All in all, it's difficult for any normal person not to come out of any war unaffected.

Answer 6

Depends on the soldier, I have been in combat and had to kill someone in the process, I have been shot at on numerous occasions. As a soldier you have control of your own conduct. Our military (excluding special forces) doesn't fire unless fired upon or under direct threat (unless they are not obeying orders) in those conditions it is not difficult to handle morally. Granted some people need a lot of help after seeing combat, but that is the minority not the majority of soldiers. Killing is not an easy thing to do (for most sane people) but if you believe your cause is just and you do what you can to not harm innocents it makes it tolerable.

People that have been in combat generally are more aware of threats around them even at home in peacetime, but I think that is more about realizing what the rest of the world is like and that if we are not careful it could happen here. Imagine what it must be like to grow up in Israel and being under threat all the time even if you are not in the military.

Answer 7

The only way out is through a body bag?? Where in the hell do you get your information? Most soldiers in Iraq never even fire a shot. Most are there in support roles such as finance, base support etc. I was there for 14 months. I was shot at, mortared and hit with a roadside bomb. I came back fine. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Answer 8

A lot of the troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are having serious problems adapting to civilian life. It is said that as many as one in four is suffering from some sort of post traumatic stress. Those who have been in or near a roadside bombing attack are especially susceptible to this problem. The concussions they suffer from the result of these attacks often go undiagnosed. The troops themselves often hide these traumas for fear of being hospitalized when all they really want is to simply go home .

Many veterans can be counted amongst the homeless in the US. Often, this isn't an economic issue, it's a social issue. They simply can't adapt to life in society, so they drop out, thus becoming homeless.

The VA is available to these people, if they chose to use it, many don't for whatever reason. Some find solice in being homeless, for them it's a simple life, although I couldn't imagine being homeless as being simple. Most of these souls never fully shake the trauma of war, because of the things they see, the friends they lose, the wounds they endure, the guilt they feel !

Answer 9

You know some good ideas for me to get some sleep? Or were you actually asking me what was going on in my head?

Ummmm, Mental therapy, prescription drugs.....living like someone thinks you're crazy.....Mad insomnia. eating problems.....some have probs with alcohol or drugs....not me.

I got great support though. The state took my four year old away from me and said that I couldn't take care of her cause I'm disabled. I am working on getting her back from those guys.

Answer 10

That is a good question! I wonder about my husband sometimes. He was shot in the US Embassy in Haiti. He seems to be a bit paranoid at times. He even went through about 4 months of agoraphobia-he would not leave the house. He never tells me too much about stuff they did in the military. I think it has affected him a lot.

Answer 11

Only very few die, verry few, and a lot are wounded and even more than that come home with PTSD but you know what thats the price you pay for freedom. When we enlist we know what could happen. A lot of times you come backt ot he civilian world and there are people protesting the troops (liberals) and its so quite and calm you feel bad for the people still on tour, immediately divorce your wife and re-enlist because you feel the THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO UNDERSTAND YOU.