What it looks like to ignore the past...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6576505

Army studies show that at least 20 percent to 25 percent of the soldiers who have served in Iraq display symptoms of serious mental-health problems, including depression, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Administration officials say there are extensive programs to heal soldiers both at home and in Iraq...(this particular statement is some heavy propaganda from the administration, who knows there is no cure for PTSD, in which to "heal soldiers both at home and in Iraq"-and these "extensive programs" do not have money to hire family therapists, such as myself, because the Republicans intentionally halted a bill presented by Kerry and Kennedy that would provide money to have "family therapists" in each Vet Center-this is incredibly upsetting to me, not because I don't have a job, but because I have looked in their eyes...something the current administration and oil industry refuse to do).

...Alex Orum's medical records showed that he had PTSD, but his officers expelled him from the Army earlier this year for "patterns of misconduct," repeatedly citing him on disciplinary grounds. In Orum's case, he was cited for such infractions as showing up late to formation, coming to work unwashed, mishandling his personal finances and lying to supervisors -- behaviors which psychiatrists say are consistent with PTSD.

Sergeant Nathan Towsley told NPR, "When I'm dealing with Alex Orum's personal problems on a daily basis, I don't have time to train soldiers to fight in Iraq. I have to get rid of him, because he is a detriment to the rest of the soldiers."

Doctors diagnosed another soldier named Jason Harvey with PTSD. At the end of May this year, Harvey slashed his wrists in a cry for help. Officials also kicked Harvey out a few months ago for "patterns of misconduct."

A therapist diagnosed Tyler Jennings with PTSD in May, but the Army's records show he is being tossed out because he used drugs and missed formations. Files on other soldiers suggest the same pattern: Those who seek mental-health help are repeatedly cited for misconduct, then purged from the ranks.

Most of these soldiers are leaving the Army with less than an "honorable discharge" -- which an Army document warns "can result in substantial prejudice in your civilian life." In other words, the Army is pushing them out in disgrace.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6576505