Panorama (Suicide Amongst Soldiers)

Originally Posted by Pete7

Did used to like Regimental Dinners, passing the Port decanter and cigars

Do I sense a rupert?

I think the its' definetly an issue that needs to be sqaured away, but it leads onto a whole lot of other issues with the military too. As someone said above it all comes down to the politics of it and budget cuts... although thats hardly an excuse in my eyes.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by TheRuffellator

Do I sense a rupert?

Nope, they didn't call me "Sir" because I worked for a living. Joined as a soldier and a lot of years later Geoff Hoon (Sec of State) signed my Warrant. Awficers have the Queen sign their Warrants.

Pete

I saw it and didn't like much of what I saw.

The guy who had set up his own charity/support network put it in perspective with what he said regarding them been a bad insurance company. Only worried about the stats and fiddling them how they see fit, from what I gathered our system needs a serious reform.

[Bluepete]

I'd quite happily spend a bit more of my tax on soldiers aftercare. I've come across quite a few wild ones who've been out of service.

These guys and dolls have a special place in the heart of our country, why not a special aftercare service too?

Pete

Originally Posted by Bluepete

I'd quite happily spend a bit more of my tax on soldiers aftercare. I've come across quite a few wild ones who've been out of service.

These guys and dolls have a special place in the heart of our country, why not a special aftercare service too?

Pete

+1 I do hate that they put their lives on the line in their chosen career (which is fair enough, it was after all their choice) but to be treated like a consumable afterwards is heart breaking.
That care facility which was mentioned should be a reality already let alone just a proposal. Get it buolt, feck we've enough old schools and hospitals knocking about which could easily be converted. What ever gov puts that in their BUMPH gets my vote.

[Bibio]

why should we! they joined up knowing full well what they were getting themselves into. it's a career decision just like everyone else after all its not like they were conscripted. i dont see why the public should have to foot the bill once they have served their term.

you could say the same for doctors, nurses, ambulance, police, firemen etc.etc as they see some horrific and disturbing things during their career.

if your not prepared to kill other people, get brainwashed and instatusalised then dont join the forces, simples. if you are prepared to do all of that then also be prepared for the consequences afterwords.

I actually cannot respond to that comment Lance.

Why should we?!!

No no. It's fine. Don't worry. You have been fighting for Queen and country and are suicidal?! Oh well, that was your own career choice. Pss off to the back of the queue whilst we rehabilitate heroin addicts and alcoholics who have never worked a day in theirs lives and stolen from all and sundry to feed their habits.

[Bibio]

no they have fought for the government. nothing to do with queen and country. the only time they fight for the queen is during a war as to go to war the prime minister needs to ask permission from the queen. so what they have been doing is glorified peace keeping duty's, weapons demonstrations and general foot stomping for the Government and nothing to do with protection for our country.

don't even go there about addicts.

it was their decision to join up, no one twisted their arm. yes i feel sorry for ex servicemen and women being used an abused by the government. but why should they receive special treatment once back on civvy street and just another member of joe public. yes if they need help adjusting or have mental problems they should get help.. the same help as everyone else.

if you don't want to be shot at or have to kill people then don't join the forces. if you do then face the consequences.

maybe if they showed video footage of what they will be doing on active duty e.g. watching people brains being splattered or women and children being blown up and their body parts lying about all over the place before they sign the dotted line then a lot less people would join the forces and those that do would have the mental aptitude to cope with the stresses of the job in the first place.

PTSD is an illness. They can't know from watching a video if they are going to get it in real life.

I've been shown countless pictures of fatal injuries from suicides/rtcs/murders etc and I can assure you, it doesn't even come close to the real thing.

I have dealt with horrific things. So far no PTSD. But I don't know that when I go back to work on Tuesday that I won't be involved in something which does result in me getting PTSD. But I suppose, in your opinion it was my career choice so I'd need to suck it up.

Many careers such as armed forces and my line of work are vocations. There is no way I'd do what I do if it was about the money. Yes I need a wage to live off but I could easily get another, almost unskilled job, for similar if not better pay.

I'm not saying they need their hands held when they get back. But there needs to be adequate treatment in place. At the end of the day, the PTSD suffering vets who don't get treatment and end up drinking and fighting and in and out of jail will cost far more money to deal with than getting them the right help initially.

[BanannaMan]

Originally Posted by Bibio

it was their decision to join up, no one twisted their arm. yes i feel sorry for ex servicemen and women being used an abused by the government. but why should they receive special treatment once back on civvy street and just another member of joe public. yes if they need help adjusting or have mental problems they should get help.. the same help as everyone else.

So, they should spend 20 years of their life moving from base to base,
being ready to be deployed at a moments notice,
spend holidays away from loved ones,
years away, with a few visits, if there is a war,
face the death and destruction,
be willing to fight and die so that you can continue to live in the free world,
and yet only be entitled to the same benefits as everyone else?
Now that hardly seems fair.

And should you eliminate too much incentive to join the services you'll soon be back to National Service.

As for not getting PTSD,

No matter how much training, no one knows how they or anyone else will react in a combat situtation until it really happens.
Let alone how it may affect them years later psycologiclly.
If there were a way to tell or predict PTSD, it would be in use by the government now.