Are soldiers prepared to go to war?
By alena824
@alena824 (376)
Philippines
July 27, 2008 12:04am CST
I was reading an editorial about Pvt. Joseph Dwayne, who was once pictured carrying a wounded Iraqi child out of danger. He had died a couple of weeks ago, apparently never having recovered from his experience in the war. It seems that the effect on him psychologically has never been dealt with properly and he ended up wasting himself.
So I thought, are soldiers truly prepared to go to war? And I don't mean physical preparation by way of training, but mentally and psychologically being readied for what they will see, hear and experience. I really believe you can never psyche yourself to the fact that, while your mission on one hand may be to save lives, it will also mean destroying or taking other people's lives. And how do you cope with seeing all faces of destruction day in and day out?
It would be good idea to ponder, right?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
27 Jul 08
Our solders are not physically, mentally or financially ready to enter war when they go. We do not properly train them at all for what they are going to go through unless they actually train for a front line job. You can not expect someone who normally works a desk job and only qualifies with a weapon because they have to to go into a war zone and be okay.
1 person likes this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
27 Jul 08
Good post Alena. That's a very sad story. From the looks of it he is
really not prepared for the terrifying world around him. How old is he?
If only war could end someday and we may live all in peace as brothers
and sisters. Why this have to be a war? Aren't people sick and tired of
it? So many questions, so little answer.
@Farside604 (870)
• Canada
29 Jul 08
I dont think there is anything for one to do when preparing for war. One can read all the books on it watch akk the movies, but when it comes down to it its a whole new ball game. I think that the best thing one can do to protect their mental health is dealing with their psychological problems after they come back from war. Unfortunatly not enough is being done to take care of vetrans with both mental and physical problems.
@srpkinja (375)
• Canada
27 Jul 08
I dont think that anyone can really be mentally prepared for something as big as war. How could you imagine being in this position, of risking your life, protecting your country, helping others? You cant, because most people have never been through this type of experience. War is so serious and overwhelming. There is no way that anyone could really, 100% prepare for something like this. The best thing is maybe be physically fit so when you do "get used to it" you can increase your chances of staying alive. I could never imagine being a soilder. I think they are the breavest people in the world and good for them but I could never do something like that.
