Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Hidden Costs of War

Wars are so costly.  

Friends and enemies are killed in action.   Then there are the accidental deaths, the psychological stress, sometimes resulting in suicide or desertion.

Here's an article in the LA Times noting that today's "voluntary" soldiers often come from situations where a military job is the best they can find.  They may bring mental problems or drug and alcohol problems with them as they enter.

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-me-military-suicide-20130616%2c0%2c3303371.story

Last night's Fresh Air featured Charles Glass and his newly-released book, The Deserters: A Hidden History of World War II. 

http://www.npr.org/2013/06/17/189275754/wwii-deserters-stories-of-men-who-left-the-front-lines

What an eye-opening report on battle stress, battle fatigue, PTSD, and lack of mental health care for soldiers in the 1940s.  

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