Dealing with the effects of war
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is an odd story about a soldier, Billy, who has lived through war and is jumping back and forth through time. A major part of the story line is that he was abducted by aliens. I think that the time jumping and the story about getting abducted was a way for Billy to deal with his thoughts from the war.
Many soldiers come home and need counseling to help them get out of war mode and back into a normal routine again. This quote from How the War in Iraq is Changing the American Soldier helps explain how demands can change soldiers.
“What is immediately clear is that this conflict has put enormous demands on American troops. They are warriors on some days, diplomats on others, in a conflict with no clear front lines and a changing cast of adversaries. And while they are grateful that the American public has steadfastly supported them, regardless of feelings about the war itself, many soldiers report a sense of disconnection, too. America as a nation is not waging this war, many tell you—its military is.”
While Billy made up stories about getting abducted by aliens to deal with his thoughts of war, soldiers today have different options. Many use military blogs to stay connected to the outside world, while others stay connected by writing letters. It’s hard to say whether those truly keep soldiers sane while they are in a war situation, but they certainly help.
I’ve been following the military blog of Aaron Webb, aka Sand Sailor, and his most recent post was about a triathlon that took place in the “Green Zone” and mainly around Saddam’s palace. Soldiers in Iraq are still able to do normal things such as participate in a triathlon. I think this helps them deal with the situation they’re in because they can have pictures to look at, videos to watch of the event, and they can talk about it for days. Even if this event only lasted for part of a day, it is part of a day that was spent having a good time and being in a normal situation.
It’s important to get counseling when one needs it, but also to stay involved in everyday activities. I think this triathlon was perfect for Aaron and his comrades to keep a level head and remember that their time to go home is almost here.
March 25, 2008
Aaron Webb (Sand Sailor) Threesome at Saddam’s house…anyone?
Anna Mulrine (Soldiers in Iraq) How the War in Iraq is Changing the American Soldier
Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse-Five
April 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Your letter is spot on I think if more soldiers who are put in terrible conditions had some type of transitional counseling back to civilian life it would be both beneficial for them and for those in contact with them. We have asked them to perform incredibly hard tasks under equally incredible situations. It nice if they can even for a time have a bit of home it helps them remember what they are fighting for. Matter a fact at a rally I was the other day in support of the troops both speakers said some of the best days are when the hear not about the negative media spin on the war, but when they hear about the those behind them it lets them get ready for another day in hell as one of them said. However this day is one with Americans behind him not protesting him and that makes it all seem worth while.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
In case you do not have a chance to view on of our classmate’s blogs who attached this video to their blog I wanted to give it to you.
http://www.spike.com/video/survivor-guilt-back/2782110 This particular soldier in a way of video blogging not only be describing the event, beyond that is the guilt he feels. Instead of making up stories as a way to deal with this he choices a more technologically savvy way of video blogging and just telling the truth. The rawness of the video and others that are on that site are just amazing. It was a testament to the brave soldiers that are part of our military and fighting for our country.
I think your point about counseling is crucial. Some soldiers may feel it is not necessary, but from the outsiders point of view I cannot see how it would hurt them. I for one have never been fond of the idea of sitting on a long leather couch and expressing my feelings to a person with a pen a paper listening, but potentially thinking about what to make for dinner. I think that counseling can be seen in different fields and there are many different modes of how to carry it out.