Would what we know as PTSD have been a big issue for Armies in the distant past?

[Caleb Longstreet]

Originally Posted by PeaceAndLove42

By distant past I mean in Antiquity and Medieval days. Obviously there was no such thing as PTSD known back then, but for a King/Emperor that commanded large Armies how likely do you think PTSD would've effected them and thus their fighting ability? Now we have a more or less controlled way of fighting and we use guns but back in the days where guys had to actually get up close and personal stabbing guys and hacking off limbs wouldn't it be fair to say it was just as much, if not more of an issue?

Mental casualties are a part of the mix. I do think that perhaps they may be stretching it too far. I've met a young girl that was fit as a fiddle, 20 years old, served two years in the Army and allegedly suffers from PTSD....please....she probably worked in the chow hall.

It's becoming a drain and the ones who really need the help (quadraplegics, truly and permanenty injured veterans) are going to be competing for shrinking dollars. This commercial for wounded warriors with the obviously physically healthy ones marching down the street dissuades from the most important needs.

Tough love, and this won't win favor with most but, take a hard, hard look at it. Plenty of WWII veterans came home and went on despite some of the most horrific combat injuries ever seen. Probably wasn't right and no doubt they had exponentially more affected. It seems like everyone on TV is a "wounded warrior"....considering 10-20% of those that serve actually SEE combat it makes one question the validity of every claim. It has to be easier at this point as anyone that criticizes is quickly silenced.

I'm a vet of peacetime and about the only adverse affects I "suffered" were from bad beer and food during Carter's administration. You "owe" me nothing. Give them help, sure. Just make damn sure it's going to the core cases and not this young 20 year old out of the Army fit as a fiddle. That's all I am saying.

[travric]

As an aside last night I saw a news piece focused on individuals who wear the accoutrements of a soldier but yet did not serve at all. It was complete impersonation. A sharp Ranger noticed this on on an individual who tried with great conviction to say he was a Ranger after being asked questions but who gave himself away by not even knowing how to dress himself as one. Something else to add to soldiers' life today.