Army sending medical ‘no-goes’ back to combat zones.
Army sending medical ‘no-goes’ back to combat zones.
The AP reports that a U.S. soldier who was receiving hospital treatment for bi-polar disorder was discharged early for deployment to the Middle East:
A Fort Carson soldier who says he was in treatment at Cedar Springs Hospital for bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse was released early and ordered to deploy to the Middle East with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
The 28-year-old specialist spent 31 days in Kuwait and was returned to Fort Carson on Dec. 31 after health care professionals in Kuwait concurred that his symptoms met criteria for bipolar disorder and “some paranoia and possible homicidal tendencies.”
Fort Carson sent 79 soldiers overseas late last year who were considered medical “no-goes.” The brigade’s surgeon has said that the 3rd Brigade Combat Team had “been having issues reaching deployable strength” and that some “borderline” soldiers were sent overseas.
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Great, put the combat ready troops in danger.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:21 pmYeah, Republicans SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS!!!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pmwhy do democrats hate our troops?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pmAnd when he gets wounded the Army will give him a dishonorable discharge because of his mental condition.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pmSo someone who is medically evaluated as bipolar, judged to be ‘homicidal,’ and declared “no-go,”is given a gun and other killing stuff and sent back to war with a brigade of US soldiers? Look over your shoulders at all times.
This seems pretty desperate, doesn’t it? I recall in the waning days of the Third Reich when they soldiered up 12 year olds and the old, graying, men and sent them into battle. This seems to be approaching that point.
I think those in the military who have said our military is broken might be onto something.
Maybe those Romney boys could help out.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:37 pmWe are sending these misfits into an area to watch the backs of the real soldiers in the combat zone. Who’s hairbrained idea is this?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:39 pmTaking a guy with bipolar disorder, paranoia, and possible homicidal tendencies and arming him to the teeth? What idiot thought this is a good idea? Even if this poor guy manages to come back without hurting any of his comrades-in-arms, he’ll be even more damaged than before.
And all to “reach deployable strength”. Sigh. If reaching deployable strength is as problem, then we need to either quit deploying units we don’t have, or reinstate the draft.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:40 pmTypical abuse of our military – Bush style.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pmWhat does a draft dodger like Chimpy know about anything military anyway?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:42 pmAnything to avoid instituting a draft.
I will be curious to see how the military votes in the upcoming election. Will a large majority of them continue to vote in lockstep with the Republicans, like they always have?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pmThis is beyond disgusting. Not only are they sending someone not fit for combat duty back into combat, they are sending someone who could become a danger to others in their unit. We do not need people being treated for mental illness (a treatable disease) into that hell hole. People who do not have mental problems have a hard enough time tolerating Iraq, imagine putting someone there who already has mental problems to deal with.
The parents of these soldiers, or someone else, should be suing our government for this travesty.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:53 pmis this an OLD story? … or ANOTHER one?
criminal.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:53 pm#10, my understanding is that it’s the officer corps that generally votes lock-step with the Republicans.
The enlisted men.. that is, the men who work for a living… generally split closer to the general population with a slight Republican tilt.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:54 pmWe are sending these misfits into an area to watch the backs of the real soldiers in the combat zone. Who’s hairbrained idea is this?
Comment by Art — February 11, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
if by “real soldiers” you mean CONTRACTORS, you are
probably correct.
i’m not who’s idea it was… rummy’s? cheeeney’s?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:55 pmWe are sending these misfits into an area to watch the backs of the real soldiers in the combat zone. Who’s hairbrained idea is this?
Comment by Art
Artie should go back to whatever rock he crawled out from under. People with bipolar disease are people who are sick. They are not “misfits”. They should be allowed to get the mental health treatment they need, not sent into combat where they are likely to blow.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:57 pmI Don’t think the military will vote in lockstep with the republicans. A lot of them agree with Jack Murtha that the Military has been greatly damaged by the incompetence and delusional thinking of Bush and Rumsfeld.
The Army is offering $40,000 to sign up for five years…payment made after completion . They used to disqualify people for Tatoo’s. Yep. the Army is in Bad shape, and the military people Know it.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pmthat too, bilbo…
February 11th, 2008 at 6:00 pmThe Army is offering $40,000 to sign up for five years…payment made after completion .
Knowing the Bush Admin, when they were done with the 5 years they would be let out one day short of five years so that the military could get away with NOT paying them their bonus.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:04 pmI keep waiting to see the number of Republican college kids sign up to go over to Iraq. Amazing, I at least joined ROTC in college and spent my time in the Air Force as a JAG.
We needed to build up the Army at the beginning of the war. I may not agree with our war in Iraq; however, the real manpower requirements were always fairly obvious. The necessity of a potentially long occupation was also obvious after civil disorder and the insurgency began. We should have been raising the number of active duty military. Frankly, it would make maintaining a force there a lot easier. It is the grind of repeated deployments that is taking a toll both on the active duty and reserves.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:10 pmART, WHAT THE HELL MAN!! These guys aren’t ‘misfits’ as you so casually dismiss them. They have a DISEASE!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:10 pmNext the military will be sending anyone breathing to the front lines to keep their numbers up. It is time to think draft, if you can’t hold a gun, do the backup necessary, can’t do that, start serving in our inner cities helping teachers. Two years serving your country one way or another.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pmWHOA, who let this troll in here? Get out of here with that draft talk troll. There will be no draft of anyone except TROLLS!!!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pmIt’s time to stop sending ANY troops to this administrations illegal war and start bringing them home NOW! And provide full medical care along with helping them and their families try to return their lives to normal.
I still cannot understand the reluctance to start impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Many years ago I took and oath to uphold and protect the Constitution and this Country. The people in Congress take the same oath. I have confronted my Congressman several times requesting his support for impeachment but the ‘leadership’ will only suggest censure. This has to be a violation of their oath?
February 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pmART, WHAT THE HELL MAN!! These guys aren’t ‘misfits’ as you so casually dismiss them. They have a DISEASE!!!
Comment by Repunklicans
Artie is just another nasty troll. Either ignore him or talk about him, not to him. When you talk to them you validate their existence.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pmA draft means everyone should spend two years to their country, can mean here at home can mean in the military. Two years before going off to beer and college fun. Nothing wrong with learning to pay for the priviledge of living here, and yes I have given two years when I was straight out of school.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pmActually, trolls should make a tremendous contribution to the war effort–at least until the Corsair ships show up with the glowing green dead guys…
February 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pm#22 So you don’t think everyone living here needs to repay for living here? Are your children so special they can’t give their country some much needed help? We have food banks, schools, all kinds of work that could use labor. And everyone can learn from giving something back instead of being driven by rich families to all their playdates.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:31 pmStop trying to make this about your cause TROLL…. I WILL NOT FEED YOU ANY MORE THAN I ALREADY HAVE.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:35 pmThe Army is offering $40,000 to sign up for five years…payment made after completion .
Knowing the Bush Admin, when they were done with the 5 years they would be let out one day short of five years so that the military could get away with NOT paying them their bonus.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 11, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
oh – surely you remember the stories about the soldiers who were
February 11th, 2008 at 6:35 pmunable to meet the whole obligation because of injury –
and the military withheld a percentage of that bonus…
surely you’ve heard that…
Labeling people misfits who have problems carrying their buddies back to safety ? Watching innocent people be shot day after day?
February 11th, 2008 at 6:35 pmYou are the misfit for not understanding what war is really like.
The National Guard group were the ones shorted one day from receiving benefits after serving over 700 days. Tell me that wasn’t planned. This Administration has done everything possible to ruin the military, lack of armored vehicles, lack of body armor, lack of care once they return. Make them beg for disability payments. How sick is this government? Only thing left is to shoot them as Hoover did when the vets marched on Washington.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:38 pmever get the feeling the goal is: if we keep sending them back, they will be less likely to survive therefore less benefits the government pays out? With the current climate of this administration anything is possible.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:38 pm#28 – Everyone here knows what side I am on and it is not your buddy bush and cheney. I lost one son in Afganistan and another is serving in Iraq I know from what I speak.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:39 pmHow dare you call our kids misfits….so sick s.o.b.
I’m guessing ARTIMUS-FARTIMUS is an old geezer who legitimately thinks of people with a disease effecting their behavior as misfits because of the age he grew up in. How old are ya ARTIE? 75? 80? You’ve gotta be getting up there with a name like ART. That’s just not a common name these days!!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:40 pmRush will soon be crowing about how these are phony soldiers and O’reilly will declare they are faking it.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:40 pmTEXAS LADY.. YOU ARE THE TROLL. I DIDN’T CALL ANYONE MISFITS. ART DID YOU TROLLISH IDIOT. LEARN TO READ WHO’S WHO. I HAVE TWICE TAKEN ART TO TASK FOR HIS ‘MISFIT’ COMMENT. STOP TRYING TO MAKE THIS THREAD ABOUT YOURSELF!!!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:42 pm#32 – You have hit the nail on the head…think how much bush would save if our guys didn’t survive their horrible wounds. And we have many that will need emotional and physical help for the rest of their lives.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:43 pmThis thread is about the military sending sick troops back to the lines. I am saying they do it because they are short of troops, I gave a solution. My son has been in Iraq over 18 months now with no return in sight. You need to learn to read before shouting your stupid mouthings.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:44 pmWhat are mouthings? Yes, this thread is about sending troops back to the lines, not you. CRAP. I FED YOU AND YOU’VE TAKEN OVER THE THREAD. I’M OUT. WILL NOT FEED ANYMORE!!!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:47 pmAnd while you are calling people names others on this thread said the same, think draft. But it won’t happen to many rich babies sitting in their dorms on dad’s payroll don’t want to do the dirty work.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pmComment by Repunklicans — February 11, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
texaslady is no troll. she has good things to say, is occasionally sassy and doesn’t deserve your abuse.
Please try to keep in mind that sometimes the numbers of comments change. It’s possible texaslady was directing her initial comment at someone else.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pm#39 Good riddance take your hysterical screaming to a safe conservative site.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:49 pmComment by Repunklicans — February 11, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
What a twit. that attack on texaslady was uncalled for and with your caps and bolds, you look like the troll.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:50 pmThank you Ralph, when sick soldiers are sent back over and over and my son has told us this is happening. Giving them a valium or stronger just for numbers this is so wrong. Only someone who has seen days and days of suffering can understand how some crumble. Or go awol as 13,000 have been reported doing and all after serving not before.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:53 pmw’s plan is to wreck the Military so that private contractors – mercenaries – are needed to fill the void. These mercenaries already are empowered domestically and in foreign lands. There is no cure for the problems as long as we are in Iraq and there is no draft. bush, cheney, et. al. will never pay the price that they should for all the damage they have done to our country and our people. They are abetted by the whipped dog of a congress by not allowing impeachment.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:56 pmComment by texaslady
February 11th, 2008 at 6:58 pmI can not begin to express my outrage over the treatment our supposedly supported troops are getting, especially after they come home. Just singed a petition to demand Vets get help with filing for benefits…it appears our government is trying to stall the process.
“repuklicans” is the real trooll…
February 11th, 2008 at 7:06 pmone of those “concern” types… but ca-RA-zier…
http://act.truemajorityaction.org/p/7002/tell_a_friend?tell_a_friend_KEY=29&donate=41
sign petiton: Our Troops Deserve Better
from the petition:
Last year Army officials instructed representatives from the VA at Fort Drum not to help veterans with their disability paperwork because there was a “conflict of interest.”
Soldiers that get help from the VA tend to get higher disability ratings…which means that the government owes them more money. And within the Bush administration’s corporate worldview, that just doesn’t work. After all, there are contractors to pay.
That’s why a group I belong to, TrueMajority.org, is starting a campaign to tell the Secretary of the Army that this is unacceptable. Join me and sign their petition today.
Disabled soldiers should get all the help they need.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:06 pm#46 – It is happening nationwide…those killed in combat with dependents being raised by grandparents and life insurance being held up over 3 years. Story of an Iowa family. This administration is horrific and the blame is at the top.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:07 pmtexaslady, thanks for your passion on this and many issues.
Please accept my condolences for your loss.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:09 pmAt least so many others are waking up to the lies….as bad as it is that the military is short of people…that means more young people are questioning this illegal war and not accepting that their government would not unnecessarily put them in harms way. One less family to get the knock on the door.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:20 pm#46 – It is happening nationwide…those killed in combat with dependents being raised by grandparents and life insurance being held up over 3 years. Story of an Iowa family. This administration is horrific and the blame is at the top.
Comment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Some of the wounded are being kicked off any medical by “review boards”, my sister is waiting in line for her appeal, still.
My son got back september, and he is worried they will send him back before their 12 mo are up. 2 tours, last one 18 months.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:22 pm52 – Until more Americans are affected nothing will get better. Even those who have come home aren’t being hired because employers are afraid to lose them again. And law or not jobs aren’t being held and in a way who can be blamed.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:28 pmComment by Repunklicans — February 11, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Are you and ‘republicans hate facts’ in any way related?
February 11th, 2008 at 7:30 pmComment by Wayne — February 11, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
For as much time as you devote here at TP to share your great views, I’m additionally heartened that you’re juggling family worries.
I never thought these problems could occur under any administration, but the Bush administration has proven us wrong with its willful ignorance across the board.
Will this administration face any penalties for its wrongdoing? Ever?
February 11th, 2008 at 7:36 pm#54 – Repunklican doesn’t understand the concept of serving their country, be it by working in inner cities, food banks, VA hospitals or in the military. A Peace Corp that is required but serve it here, America will really need it. Sure better way to spend our money than invading another country.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm#55 – I would give alot to see this administration accountable for the death and destruction. But somehow it never happens…everyone just says get over it, go forward. Bush and Cheney need to be fired with no compensation from the American people they have robbed.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:40 pmTexaslady, instead of referring to a post number which may change if a comment is removed, please refer to Comment by line with a name and time of post. That way if the sitemoniter removes a post others can still find the correct reference from you, unless it was removed. If it was removed others will infer that instead of thinking you might be a troll.
As far as a draft is concerned, if John 100 years, 1000 years, 10,000 years of war, McCain is the next president there will have to be a draft. A good talking point that I used today to quiet a rightwing friend today reminding her of her 21 year of son (a high school dropout) and her year old grandson (her daughter’s kid) who would probably be drafted.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:45 pmtexaslady,
All of your posts were logical and to the point. They fired up my thinking about public service.
‘Repunklican’ on the other hand engages himself in incomprehensible rambling. As for the draft, I stated on a previous thread that it’s reasonable to consider, given our strained forces. Republicans, of course, we can thank for that.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:47 pmComment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Please follow the Republican standard. To lie about a private affair is the gravest offense. Impeach immediately.
Invading a sovereign nation, there’s no accountability necessary. Manhandling injured troops in numerous ways, there’s no accountability necessary. Please get out of the way leftist pinko commie Freedom ™ hater!
February 11th, 2008 at 7:52 pmSt Aug – 7;45 (better?) Exclusions for college, marriage, then fathers (many hurry up marriages and babies during Vietnam ) made draft a dirty word. A system where everyone shared the burden, again, a Peace Corp of sorts would be more acceptable. And no exclusions to be granted.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:55 pmComment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Clinton and Gore EARNED their presidential pensions and other benefits. Bush and Cheney have earned NOTHING.
It’s funny that Bush and Cheney LOVE the private sector. Because they held similar positions and performed likewise, a company’s board would have ousted them years ago.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:56 pmat least until the Corsair ships show up with the glowing green dead guys… Comment by pbg — February 11, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
What, you mean the Iranians that right wingers want to nuke to smithereens?
February 11th, 2008 at 7:58 pmMcWar 7:52 excuse me were you refering to me as a Leftist pinko freedom hater? Because I want everyone to repay the priviledge of living here? Please explain.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:59 pmMcWar 7:52 excuse me were you refering to me as a Leftist pinko freedom hater? Because I want everyone to repay the priviledge of living here? Please explain.
Comment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
Oh, no! It was all sarcasm! I do apologize the wording wasn’t clearer!
February 11th, 2008 at 8:02 pmThe TP policy among commenters, I forgot, was the sarc on sarc off commands.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:03 pmMcWar 8:02 – didn’t think so but thought I should ask…getting late. Had someone say how embarrassed they were when traveling overseas having bush as president. I said we in Texas (well most of us) are embarrassed that he lives here. Bush family only live here to get the State tax break.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:04 pmSpeaking of medical problems, anyone knows if the “frag” rate is higher in the Iraq quagmire than in other recent conflicts?
February 11th, 2008 at 8:06 pmAnd by “frag” I mean the Vietnam meaning:
I’m guessing these cases should be more common now that they’re putting mentally unhealthy soldiers into active duty.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:08 pmluis 8:08 My son, in Iraq 18 months, has not heard of any fragging incidents, however the self inflicted wounds are happening and suicides are higher than other conflicts. We also hear that females are targeted by some, usually not from the enlisted guys.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:12 pmComment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
txlady,
I can imagine that Texas is not excited to get the moron-in-chief back on a full-time basis. Don’t remember the source, but I read somewhere that the Bush family intends to settle in Dallas after he leaves office because Laura doesn’t want a full-time stay back at the ranch. There will be room for plenty of post-office protests organized, hopefully, by willfull Texans as he may travel the state to speak and promote wonderful legacy. Or he may flee, if we’re that lucky, to evade war crimes charges.
I hope his presidential library goes bankrupt. The heart of Texas should show its free market principles: There’s little demand for George Dubya!
God bless any America (especially any Texan!) with a brain!!
February 11th, 2008 at 8:17 pmComment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
Thanks for the info, and here’s hoping your son comes back safely, and soon.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pmComment by texaslady — February 11, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
I know there’s a lot of worry as a parent with a deployed son. Alongside Wayne, being here at TP must help.
We have a lot of talent in the military today. I just hate to see their services and their sacrifices misused, and those at the top who don’t see their talents as motivation to care deeply for them.
Of all the talent in this country, why is Cheney and Bush at the top?
February 11th, 2008 at 8:23 pmWell, txlady, I know it’s getting late and I don’t want to keep you backed in this thread, so I bid you a good night and hope for the safe return of your son and his unit.
Many blessing to you. And Luis, good night to you too.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pmThe GD army hasn’t changed since Vietnam. FTA!! Don’t take care of your people, f**k with em’ that way they’ll surely love the GD army and reup. GD pukes treatin’ a soldier that way is downright disgusting and criminal. We will surely reap the whirlwind in Iraq and generations will suffer for this clusterf**K. For all of those who have family in Iraq I pray for you and think of you and your loved ones constantly. May they all come home ok.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:44 pmFTA! Now there’s an acronym I haven’t heard in a very, long, time.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:54 pm