Thread: US Conflicts, By the Numbers...

USA is going to make up for being very late for the last 2 world wars by being over punctual for the third!

Originally Posted by lom

Experience is just about everything you don't have and that is the reason why you are there.

I would not say that's the only reason they are there but getting the experience certainly is a big benefit

Originally Posted by dirtydog

3 Marshall Iceland

Did a new ice age cover Central Pacific ? And those treehuggers go on blabbering about global warming....

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Percentage of veterans receiving care from Veterans Affairs hospitals for mental health issues, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), drinking, substance abuse, hypervigilence and additional serious behavioural problems: 43 per cent. This is a six-fold increase since 2002.


Number of soldiers US Army statistics show returning home with PTSD: 17 per cent. Age group most likely to experience extended and multiple deployments of two, three and four tours of combat: 25 and under.


Age group of marines with highest rates of PTSD and alcoholism: 25 and under.
Age group that suffers most from PTSD among reservists and national guardsman who are most likely to have left established lives : 30 and over.

Interestingly enough, and unfortunately, I might add, I had a run-in last night with a group of about four or five vets who had just returned from 2+ years in Iraq. All were completely hammered, belligerent, and aggressive. I was having a quiet couple of beers with a friend when this crew walked in and pretty much spoiled the evening. I think they were fresh off the boat back in the US and didn't quite know what the hell to do with themselves. One of them kept asking me, "What do you do for a living?" He was unimpressed with my current status: unemployed. When my friend asked him the same question, he replied, "I kill people for a living." This led into the brief, weird discussion in which he told us about his service in Iraq. As he was getting more and more aggressive (for no reason, I might add), one or two of his friends took him outside to have a cigarette. Nearly got in a fight with them later on after the least shitfaced of the group poured a beer down my back... somehow I was at fault for this, and I wasn't even really angry. Anyhow, as it was past 1:00 AM, we just finished our drinks and left.

One thing kept going through my mind: Post-traumatic stress disorder. These guys were walking public service announcements for it. Probably the saddest thing about it was their age: I'd guess they were about 25 at the oldest. I don't know what they were dealing with. It seemed like they wanted thanks or adulation of some sort. I have actually witnessed people saying things like "Thank you for your service" to troops in uniform that they don't even know. I have a sneaking suspicion that's what these guys wanted: accolades for their service. However, despite their sacrifices, I wasn't about to say thanks to some douchebags who spilled beer on me, among other things, and ruined a perfectly nice night.

(*In case it wasn't apparent, I'm in the US, not Thailand, so you don't have to worry about these guys busting up your favorite whorehouse. I do live close to several large military installations outside of Washington, DC, so it's not at all uncommon to see servicemen and women around, in uniform and out, but this was my first negative experience.)

it's exactly like Vietnam, they were expecting to come back as heros, and they came back as baby killers facing a strong opposition for their service

too young and too stupid to realize what they have done,

they will have 50 years now to resolve this,

I don't know. I'd agree that they might expect to be greeted very warmly, if not as heroes, when they return. While some might not be receiving the warm welcome they'd envisioned, I don't think anybody's intentionally giving them a bunch of shit just because they're vets. I think people, even if they were against one or both wars, are generally sympathetic and respectful of those who have served.

Like I said, this was my first negative experience. Looking back on it, I think it must have been their first night back stateside. It's a pity. They're probably decent enough guys when sober but they were certainly looking for trouble last night.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

it's exactly like Vietnam, they were expecting to come back as heros, and they came back as baby killers facing a strong opposition for their service

too young and too stupid to realize what they have done,

they will have 50 years now to resolve this,

....and the "Good Wars" ? Not a baby-killer amongst them?

I fail to see how WW2 was a good war, it was cahos for everybody

Originally Posted by Butterfly

I fail to see how WW2 was a good war, it was cahos for everybody

A little facetious humour would do you a world of good, Butts.

What about how many iraqi and afgans have died? oh i forgot they are just collateral damage nothing to worry about.

Originally Posted by mobs00

TeakDoor is so patriotic. Look at all the awesome smileys I found on the list!

This one looks Malaysian . . . even has the crescent.

Originally Posted by pompeybloke

USA is going to make up for being very late for the last 2 world wars by being over punctual for the third!

Late? Neither of those wars were the US' s affair either. Had no business in getting involved in either one.