Monday, April 23, 2007

Perspective: Some troops slow to realize they didn't come home unscathed

James Blake Miller, the 'Marlboro Marine', became an icon of the gritty American warrior in a picture published world-wide. After separating from the Marines, he was treated for PTSD and depression.

LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania: Just back from Iraq, some U.S. troops find the mental health questionnaire they must fill out a hassle, a nuisance keeping them from getting home — so they check they are fine, they have no problems.

Spc. Joseph West found out the hard way that moving on is not that easy. Three months after he got back, the 28-year-old was so overwhelmed by stress at his job as a military recruiter that he crawled under his desk. His wife had to come get him.

Read the rest at the International Herald Tribune