Skip to main content

It has been widely recognised among segments of the Medical fraternity that a new malaise identified as the "Iraq Syndrome" seems to be manifesting itself among soldiers assigned to duty in Iraq, especially those in line for a second or more tour there. The "Syndrome" has smany facets of symptoms but nothing definite enough to be included in the usual illness catagories. Flu like symptoms prevail among those exhibiting the Syndrome.
It has been suggested that perhaps the use of Psychiatric treatment would be more appropriate with those complaining of or exhibiting the Syndrome's symptoms. Post Assignment Fear Disorder is more than likely the culprit according to many therapists.
Just an old codger irritating other old codgers.
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I agree, Bama Sunshine. My daughter just joined the Navy, and although it's been EXTREMELY difficult to swallow...before she was sworn in, I was very blunt regarding what she was signing up for.

1. You are signing up to die for your country. Don't call crying to me when you are thrown into the middle of war (any war, not just Iraq) because that is EXACTLY what you are signing up for. If you can't handle that, do not be sworn in.

2. It doesn't matter what you would "like to go into", you will go into whatever they assign you to. If you cannot handle a job you hate for the duration of the time you signed up for, do what your told to do & keep your mouth shut, don't be sworn in. Because that is EXACTLY what you are signing up for.

She said she understood what was expected. So, even though it will turn my head completely gray (she and her brother are directly responsible for what is there now Smiler), I am proud of her and hope she will be happy...that's all us mothers want anyway for our kids.

Regarding the Iraq Syndrome...I wish we were not at war at all. I wish we'd never entered Iraq. "If wishes were wings, pigs would fly." But very few, if any, men and women make such a commitment (joining military) without weighing pros & cons, one the the very real cons being war and all that goes with war.
quote:
Originally posted by Quarrles:
I could not agree with you more Bama. This is really just another way to avoid their duties and responsibilities it seems. General George Patton Jr. had it right. He slapped one of them and called them what He thought they really were.
A fungus disease, known as valley fever is endemic in the American Southwest, including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California. It is estimated that 85% of people who are in the areas where the disease is prevalent are infected. Most people have no symptoms, their immune systems overcome the disease before it gets a foothold. Some people become extremely ill, and a heavy exposure to the spores will reinfect even those who have been exposed and self immunized. Symptoms include fatigue, lung congestion, inflammation of the joints, cough, low grade fever and in severe cases jaundice. The disease has been known to be fatal to dogs, and a Phoenix Zoo Gorilla died from it. It rarely kills humans, but it can be debilitating and the symptoms can last for years. Traumatic stress can exhibit in physical symptoms, including chronic Fatigue syndrome.
In world war one, soldiers with battle fatigue were sometimes shot as cowards. Stress Disease has been a major problem in every war ever fought.
Until you have to deal with the problem in a friend or yourself, calling it a way to avoid duty is contemptible.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×