14
14
0
I am asking this because I was on the VA website and saw where it has me listed as having PTSD, but have it down as non-combat related since it stems from SGT Akbar (AKA Mark Kools) killing at least 2 and wounding 12-14 soldiers/officers at camp Pennsylvania before we went into Iraq. I know we weren't techniquely in combat yet since we were in Kuwait & not Iraq, but he was fighting against us so I would think that would make it combat related. What are your thoughts?
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Combat
PTSD
Friendly Fire
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 39
14
14
0
The problem is that he was not classified as "the enemy" even though he sided with the enemy and engaged US troops. It's the same reason the people attacked by MAJ Hassan were considered casualties of workplace violence rather than a terrorist attack. I think the rules should be changed so that insider threats are considered enemy combatants.
(14)
(0)
SPC James Seigars
Thank you, SSG Michael Johnson. I didn't know that they aren't considered enemy combatants. That definitely does need changing.
(3)
(0)
LTC Michael Hrycak
I was assigned as senior Casualty Assistance Officer for the week of 1LT Louis Allen's funeral. He, and CPT Louis Esposito were killed by a claymore in CPT Esposito's office in FOB Danger, in 2005. Although the prosecution failed, it was an attack by one of their Soldiers. We ran into an Army culture that could not grasp that the loss of these Soldiers affected the family just as much, if not more, than a KIA by hostile forces. The murder of LT Allen and CPT Esposito should have been the testbed to change that culture, but no significant effort ever appeared. Your matter was similar and Service Members, and their families, should know what to expect instead of being allowed to fall between the veritable cracks. Keep trying, and so will we.
(4)
(0)
CPT James Burkholder
It seems to me that the assignment of "workplace violence" as opposed to terrorist attack was more a political decision by the CIC than one that would stand up to scrutiny by most Americans. You got screwed by the politics.
(7)
(0)
5
5
0
Maybe this will be unpopular, but I'm going to say it anyway. No, it's not combat related. You were attacked, and that means something. However, it's not the same as combat. I'm not familiar with the VA process here because I overcame PTSD on my own by coming to terms with what happened, and recognizing that it is a part of war, which has been part of humanity for thousands of years. Do you need the combat related rating for some extra benefit?
(5)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Nice to hear you dealing. Just be cognizant of the future. Do ever feel you're cured, you are just coping well.
(2)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
SGT Laskaris... touché. You could not remain in a state of PTSD or Pure bliss, and it does not mean I expect it to be a daily battle. But some people really can't get over some things. I lived with my dad for many years and from what I saw he dealt perfectly fine after Vietnam. I was grown and away from home before he had a breakdown. He wasn't treated before then or trying to get paid for it because it was dormant. Some of these people just know there is a dollar sign behind PTSD, my biggest point is those who really have to deal are concerned about getting help and not the classification. Not all survived or led a normal life after concentration camps. Just like many may have lost more than others don't suffer any signs of PTSD. Others do, unfortunately they don't screen for mental health prior to enlistments so there are broken and barely surviving life people joining the ranks.
(2)
(0)
5
5
0
SSG Warren Armitage
As you said no such thing as civillian hand grenades however we were not at war yet so there fore it cannot be classified a war injury.
(0)
(0)
Capt Seid Waddell
SSG Warren Armitage, that sounds like splitting hairs to me; you were part of the buildup preparing for the first attack of the war. Is the preparation for the invasion not an integral part of the war?
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google