PTSD....Food for Thought

[lawman56]

Very true, Facman, very true. I was fortunate. I went in the Army in 1985 at the age of 18. Didn't get shot at until I was 20. By then, most all of my NCOs, from squad leader up, were Vietnam vets. They took the time to train us right. Although I took a few hostile rounds here and there, (mostly in Honduras), I didn't meet a determined enemy until 1989, in Panama. By then I was 22 and had matured enough to be a team leader. The 'Nam vets had mostly retired by now, and I will credit them greatly for teaching me how to remain, (or at least appear to), calm and decisive under fire. Anyone who has ever cleared a city, will understand the adrenaline and fear around every turn, behind every door or window, and every alley. Especially when your enemy is dressed like the civilian populace.

A year later, I'm in the gulf, and a year older, wiser, and smarter. Now I'm the squad leader passing on what I've learned and experienced to young troops.

I really do believe age plays a major role. Or more accurately, maturity, plays the role. Lord knows I've met some very immature people that were older than I.

 

[Facman]

I went in the Army in 1985 at the age of 18. Didn't get shot at until I was 20. By then, most all of my NCOs, from squad leader up, were Vietnam vets.

After a 14 year break since I had left the Corps, I went into the Army National Guard and served another 8 years, for the express purpose of teaching the young ones how to survive.

 

[Hedgehog]

I would also point out that the average age of a participant in WW2 was 26 years old. While in Vietnam, the average age was 19 years old (my age when there). That is a significant difference in life experience to help cope with the trauma of war.

You are right on that score the older you get the wiser you become......slower in body, richer in mind, this I think would be the case with age right through the life scale....