Tragedy of war

[Gestapo Hunter]

A friend of mine recently returned from Iraq finishing up his tour. But on one mission where his squad was supposed to raid a known rebel hideout something terrible happened. In the middle of the raid he came a cross a rebel fighter my friend would have shot him immediately but the bastard was holding a 6 year old girl in one arm and an AK in the other, in other word he was using the child as a shield…my friend had no choice but to fire, he killed the rebel but in the process he also killed the little girl. Now he’s back in the state all depressed and drinking a lot, I even had to stop him from killing himself. What’s worse is that I don’t even know what to do…

[Jon885]

wow really sorry to hear that. there's probably not much you can do. the guy probably needs professional help.

[Myrsilus]

I really don't know what to say to that... I feel sorry for your friend, and I don't think he's a bad person for doing what he did to survive.

He should seek some counseling so he can properly grieve over this, and try to recover in the end. That's all I can really say, because I can't imagine what pain he is going through right now...

[Mechs]

A friend of mine recently returned from Iraq finishing up his tour. But on one mission where his squad was supposed to raid a known rebel hideout something terrible happened. In the middle of the raid he came a cross a rebel fighter my friend would have shot him immediately but the bastard was holding a 6 year old girl in one arm and an AK in the other, in other word he was using the child as a shield…my friend had no choice but to fire, he killed the rebel but in the process he also killed the little girl. Now he’s back in the state all depressed and drinking a lot, I even had to stop him from killing himself. What’s worse is that I don’t even know what to do…

Well I know this is going to sound harsh as hell but: It had to be done. It was either him or the insurgent. The little girl getting shot was a very tragic thing but if he hadn't done it he would be the one coming home in a bodybag. The Army should have some kinda help for him so he should consult some help from them.

Damn shame though :(.

[Idlethought]

From what I hear the army does very very little to help veterans

[Lea]

That's so sad. I'm sorry that happened to your friend. I would suggest sending him to get professional help though. :/

[Soli]

:( I really hate war stories like that. They make me think about what war does to some people and how horrible it can me.

[c-rex]

Honestly all the talking and the best shrinks in the world won't help your friend get over it. There is a huge disconnect between what happens on the battlefiend and other's ability to understand how it affects the soldiers. It is easy to sit on my couch and theorize what combat does to someone, but its all REMF theories. For your friend I would strong recommend talking with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Group or Veterans Hospital. Most of these groups have support groups of veterans who went through the same things in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Kosovo and all the other conflicts in recent history. Get your friend going there and talking to them, they're the only people on the planet who he'll be able to relate to and understand what he went through. Somehow they figured out how to deal with the horror and nightmares and I'm sure they'll help him do the same.

[BlackLiger]

Also, try to help him understand it wasn't his fault, it was the bastard who took the girl hostage's fault. And he already made that bastard pay for it...

[Praetorian]

Also, try to help him understand it wasn't his fault, it was the bastard who took the girl hostage's fault. And he already made that bastard pay for it...


That's kind of an insult to bastards.

Anyway, what the others said. I don't think non-veterans can help him.

[Kass]

From what I hear the army does very very little to help veterans

Not true. There is help available, especially pshyciatic/psychological help. There are a lot of people, even non-combat veterans, who take advantage of it, so it is a crowded system.

The VFWs and other organizations also have assistance networks.

[dzee]

agreement with comments above: professional help, or general discussion with veterans may help.

and because i'm a c&h fan, and this represents my general opinion on wars:

[Gestapo Hunter]

Shit as if things weren't bad enough its seems the local anti-war group found out what happen now their demanding that my buddy be court marshal for crime against humanity. Just who the fuck do they think they are if this is how a country treats its solider then I'm really disappointed.They never been to war so they have no right to say in this matter. Another things thanks for the support and I'll keeping a close eye on him and get him help.

[Idlethought]

See, thats why I hate fanatics of any kind. If anything they could use your friend as an example of why we should stop the war in Iraq, not try to court marshall him for making a spirit-breaking decision.

*edit* btw anytime i think of the story you told here I really honestly get all choked up cause its really fucking terrible to only be able to live at the sacrifice of a child

[Idlethought]

Another addition to my last post, this reminds me of Trigun where Vash had to break his code of not killing anyone that hed been following for 100 years to save the lives of his friends. And how when he finally woke up from his wounds he remembered that he had to kill someone and he was screaming this blood curtling scream and was really just psychologically fucked the fuck up.

[Gestapo Hunter]

So my friend is a scape goat all of a sudden! what the hells wrong with this country we sends troops to war and now we blame things on them!? God my patriotism is going down the drain

[akitaka]

As someone stated in Idle's military thread, the system doesn't care about what happens to recruites during service. The whole "fighting for ####" propaganda hides the lowest comment denominator of military: control, offend, and defend with force. Try to tell your neighbor that their property line is too wide, by smashing him with a shovel, and see if things go well.

With this, I'll state my feelings of remorse for what your friend felt that he had to do for a faceless leader; especially something that he'd never do in less harsh circumstances.
Yes, he's basically a scapegoat; like most young soldiers, for their old (and notably pretentious) "leaders". As for the protestors, screw them. If your friend were to give a speech on how deep his pain was, they would react by an unruly hazing. That, in itself, is how a war begins.


Right now, though, he needs to spend some off-time. If he has some reliable friends/family, they should make it a priority to keep an eye on his well-being. This includes substance abuse, as it only makes things worse.
Maybe a light vacation, or focus on something to "make up" for the guilt, such as work that helps others. I'm throwing trial balloons here and there, but if left alone, the only thing that he will have to dwell on is the moment of that very event, and nobody wants that.

[Phyphor]

Pretty much goes to show you just how "godly" these "martyrs" are. They're so cowardly they both hide behind children AND murder them. (Case in point, VBIEDs being used to blow up maybe 1 or 2 soldiers handing out candy to 20 or 30 kids... )

They like to rationalize this by saying they're "saving the kids souls" from the devil or some nonsensical crap. I figure it's just plain cowardice, and an attempt to direct more hatred upon American soldiers.

[stillbornsinger]

The Army should have some kinda help for him so he should consult some help from them.


So, is your friend in the military, or with your company?

[Zavyyn]

The insurgent is the one who placed the girl in harm's way. The insurgent killed that girl, not your friend. Sounds trite, maybe, but I believe that.

As far as the USA military being seen as controlling and ruthless: I believe almost every aspect of American military strategy and organization is, in some small way, based on Mongolian cavalries.

Except this time, when Baghdad was conquered, a week was not spent killing every man, woman, and child in the city*. Also, there were no cases of the Death of a Thousand Cuts.

*Insert cheap shot about how long it's taking this time around! I invite you to it :D

[Gestapo Hunter]

Eventhough I'm a private military contractor I really understand what my friend is going through. Ive been in Iraq for two months mostly bounty hunting and helping US troop hunt down rebels. I'm telling they are not freedom fighters sometimes I see whole small town or village brutalized with its small population executed woman and children are also victims. Why? because they accepted US troops aid and supplies. I'm going back to Iraq after I take care of my friend so god have mercy on any of those monster that gets in my way.

[Jynx_lucky_j]

Not true. There is help available, especially pshyciatic/psychological help. There are a lot of people, even non-combat veterans, who take advantage of it, so it is a crowded system.

The VFWs and other organizations also have assistance networks.

In the Air Force its called the Life Skills Center. But regardless of the branch there should be a pshyciatic/psychological department in the medical sqaudron although it will likely have a differant name.

Many soldiers forgo going to these places because there is an unfortunate rumor that going to these places and admiting that you have a problem is a career ender. Everyone seems to know somebody, who had a freind, that worked with a guy that went to life skills and was discharged. In actuality it is rarely that people get discharged for visiting life skill, if nothing else it shows initive in trying to solve your problem. You are only discharged if you are deemed to be hazardous or determental to the branch. And depending on how under manned they are they might still try to keep you anyways.

[Gestapo Hunter]

My freind and I was on our way to see a shrink when all of a sudden anti-war people started attacking him.WHAT THE HELLS WRONG WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHY CANT THEY JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE!!

[Mechs]

My freind and I was on our way to see a shrink when all of a sudden anti-war people started attacking him.WHAT THE HELLS WRONG WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHY CANT THEY JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE!!

Thats why I hate Anti-war protesters. Do they even know the story behind what happened? I mean how does anyone judge a guy that choose life over death? Fucked up world we live in :(.

[Idlethought]

please tell me you beat the fuckers to a pulp

[Gestapo Hunter]

Jacked two of them, then some chicken shit jumped me from the back but my freeind got him off me and threw him across the parking lot.DONT FUCK WITH A MERC AND A MARINE!!! :mad:

[Mechs]

HOOAH! Serves them fuckers right right :).

[Idlethought]

good for the motherfuckers. your friend doesnt need any more grief. if it gets too bad he may need to move =/

[stillbornsinger]

How did the anti-war group find out about what happened?

Serves them right for trying to fuck with people who fight for a living... You guys are lucky none of those morons were carrying weapons...

Did you manage to get your friend to the shrink alright? I feel for the guy, he probably needs some help right about now. Thats awesome you're there to support him! http://www.outpostnine.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[theunraveler]

A friend of mine recently returned from Iraq finishing up his tour. But on one mission where his squad was supposed to raid a known rebel hideout something terrible happened. In the middle of the raid he came a cross a rebel fighter my friend would have shot him immediately but the bastard was holding a 6 year old girl in one arm and an AK in the other, in other word he was using the child as a shield…my friend had no choice but to fire, he killed the rebel but in the process he also killed the little girl. Now he’s back in the state all depressed and drinking a lot, I even had to stop him from killing himself. What’s worse is that I don’t even know what to do…
the death of the girl was a neccessary lost other wise ur fren will not be amongst the living

[Myrsilus]

You were attacked...? Hmph... fanatics. I'm glad you two served them right.

[Gestapo Hunter]

Hey guess what! My buddy decided to leave the army and join me in the mercenary bussiness :)

[Idlethought]

i would think that after what he went through he wouldnt even want to hear the word "gun"

[Gestapo Hunter]

Dont worry hes alot better Ill take care of him.oh and the people that attacked us got arrested W00T UP YOURS MOTHERFUCKER!!!!

[Mechs]

Hey guess what! My buddy decided to leave the army and join me in the mercenary bussiness :)

How is the mercenary business nowadays?

[Collapse]

Mostly non-existent for the most part, save for some smaller yet organized groups.

[Myrsilus]

I hear very little of mercenary business... Granted, it's not reported on much, but it still seems to be small.

Still relatively interested in the subject.