Fort Hood, the site of Thursday's horrific attack on U.S. soldiers, was the focus of a NOW on PBS report about American troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
WATCH: "Fighting the Army"Many of the thousands of U.S. troops discharged from the Army each year suffer from PTSD and say they lack the vital care they need. The Army claimed these soldiers were let go due to pre-existing mental illnesses or because they were guilty of misconduct. But advocates argue this was a way for the Army to get rid of "problem" soldiers quickly, without giving them the treatment and benefits to which they're entitled.
In our online coverage, NOW interviewed two Fort Hood soldiers about the personal trauma they experienced while fighting in Iraq.
NOW will air a new report about caring for injured veterans, including those suffering from PTSD, on November 20.
Comments (6)
THIS IS A HORRIFIC PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OUR AMERICAN TROOPS STARTING WITH THE FIRST WAR WE EVER FOUGHT TO THE PRESENT WAR. IF YOU HAVE NOT WALKED THROUGH THE GATES OF HELL HOW ARE YOU EXPECTED TO PROPERLY TREAT ALL OUR OUR WARRIORS WHEN THEY COME BACK HOME ? DON'T JUST DISCARD THEM AND SAY THEY ARE CURED. NOT TO OVERKILL A PHRASE, GIVE OUR TROOPS THE RESPECT AND CARE THEY NEED SO THEY CAN COME BACK HOME PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.
Posted by GEOFFREY FORGUE | November 6, 2009 10:20 AM
We cant even get healthcare right. why would I feel that the military can deal with the growing need for veteran assistance with PTSD. I just dont understand the militaries stance on this whole issue. Is it that they dont see the demaged goods that are returning from this war? This solider is a doctor who was trained to help our soliders with the same problem he was suffering from. He was found posting comments on car bombing and they knew he was not prepared to return to service in Iraq can some one say "Red Flag".Why did he still have a fire arm?
Posted by Marlo Devilme | November 6, 2009 11:38 AM
More PC stupidity from state funded media, PBS.
Ft. Hood was a planned terrorist attack, not a sad fluffy PTSD incident. Calling it a 'tragedy' is a misnomer. So long as you continue to disseminate your stilted disinformation pointing the public in the wrong direction as to the cause of this attack, you will be contributing to future deaths from similar incidents. This man was a sleeper agent, activated for a reason. He killed our military folks on our home soil. He is the enemy. Wake up!
Posted by Anonymous | November 6, 2009 1:46 PM
More PC stupidity from state funded media, PBS.
Ft. Hood was a planned terrorist attack, not a sad fluffy PTSD incident. Calling it a 'tragedy' is a misnomer. So long as you continue to disseminate your stilted disinformation pointing the public in the wrong direction as to the cause of this attack, you will be contributing to future deaths from similar incidents. This man was a sleeper agent, activated for a reason. He killed our military folks on our home soil. He is the enemy. Wake up!
Posted by Scooter | November 6, 2009 1:47 PM
Well now Scooter, PBS doesn't have a right to it's own programs and reflections on serious matters, but FOX does? This private versus public slander is ridiculous. Did you even watch this program? Nobody is saying that his (possible, as in we don't know yet) mental illness was a direct cause of his actions. Give me a break, the investigation has just begun. You have no more real knowledge about this incident than any body else at this moment. It's amazing you would pretend to know all about it, are you one of the people investigating the crime? Of course not, so stop being a hypocrite-stop "disseminating your stilted disinformation pointing the public in the wrong direction as to the cause of this attack, you will be contributing to future deaths from similar incidents". Wake up!
Posted by ann sutherland | November 12, 2009 11:37 PM
Definitely, I do not consent on a thing or two whilst the remainder seems professional.
Posted by Wen Tototzintle | March 13, 2010 7:08 PM