Article

2007-03-11 Britain

British troops in Iraq face risk of mental illness

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Posted by Seafarious 2007-03-11 14:15|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I suspect there's a lot of truth in this. I think the ability to handle stress is something that develops with practice as one grows up, but today's youth are so coddled growing up that they never had a chance to train their brains that way. As a result, a lot more soldiers, exposed to less stress than 50, 100, 150 years ago, are less equipped to handle it, and more likely to have long term problems.
Today, even the 'Basic Training' of 1942 would cause some kids to have problems - when that very harshness, which for many would be a new experience, should be serving as something of an innoculation against the true harshness of war.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-03-11 14:32|| 2007-03-11 14:32|| Front Page Top

#2 Having just seen 300 last night, I wonder what Mr. Marsh would say about Sparta's "basic training" and military experiences.

Posted by xbalanke 2007-03-11 15:36|| 2007-03-11 15:36|| Front Page Top

#3 The amount of stress-related mental illness (now vs. then) in combat veterans can't be compared using historical data alone. Modern assessment methods are an innovation. A century ago life was tough, and then you died. I've researched the medical history of my ancestors. My g-g-grandfather died of kidney stones (treatable at the time), an aunt died of rabies (preventable at the time if anyone had gone to the [unaffordable] doctor). Many of my ancestral Civil War combat veterans were seriously messed up. Some of their pension applications are heart-rending.
The classic Spartans were great warriors once, and by their end they couldn't reproduce enough to field a decent fighting force.
This being said, the motivation behind the source news article is to discourage any military action whatsoever and to encourage pre-emptive surrender to the jihad.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-03-11 17:53|| 2007-03-11 17:53|| Front Page Top

#4 I can't say for sure about the mental condition of the Brit army, but I have no doubt the political elite of GB is in serious need of psychological counseling. Cultural suicide does not happen overnight. GB's elite might want to explore those issues except they don't recognize it's happening.

Posted by Mark Z 2007-03-11 19:39|| 2007-03-11 19:39|| Front Page Top

#5 "British troops in Iraq face risk of mental illness"

Sounds like projection by their "betters" (who most certainly are NOT) back in Britain.

There will be exceptions, of course (war is after all Hell), but I suspect most of the mental problems British troops face is a result of their treatment by the assholes back home.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2007-03-11 20:03|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html] 2007-03-11 20:03|| Front Page Top

#6 Which is why we only have good wishes for Cornet Wales, Barbara.

Posted by Eric Jablow">Eric Jablow 2007-03-11 20:45|| 2007-03-11 20:45|| Front Page Top

#7 I have the greatest respect for British troops, Eric, including Prince Harry.

And I'm sure the average non-moslem Britain does too.

The ~~British Democrats~~ "elites," however.... And we won't even talk about the radical, UK-hating moslems.

Let's just say I have even less respect for them than they have for British troops.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2007-03-11 22:24|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html] 2007-03-11 22:24|| Front Page Top

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