The Emotional Toll of Deployment

2176 Words5 Pages

The Emotional Toll of Deployment

“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.”- José Narosky

We have sent soldiers around the world to protect us, but do we know of how this affects them? One would become to feel disconnected from all they know. One would also begin to need supplies and lose motivated to continue their task. Thus, it is imperative that we, the ones being protected by the soldiers, help provide these necessary items. Thousands of United States Soldiers, after being deployed for long periods of time, begins to lack needed items such as: Chap Stick, sunblock, vitamins, bug spray, and toiletries. By sending care packages overseas, with items such as those previously listed, one would be able to raise their spirits.

With being out in the middle of combat, soldiers see traumatizing scenes. Therefore it would not be uncommon for those soldiers to develop cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. These people experience night terrors, have difficult times trying to do normal work, and have challenging attempts at sleeping. Some experience separation anxiety because they are away from their family.

“You get depressed because you don’t have much contact with the people you’re so used to being around. Once you’re away, you have to get used to your fellow troops being your family. It’s easier that way.” (Jones)

Many do not even realize what their time away has done to their thinking process and mind, until they get home that is. Deployed men and women, due to the lack of communication, begin to feel as if everyone home has forgotten about them. This causes them to become disheartened and low-spirited. A study showed that ”20 percent of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans turn to heavy...

... middle of paper ...

...re Packages: Sending Smiles Overseas." Just Military Loans RSS. General Financial, Inc, 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

"Military Deployment | Military.com." Military Deployment. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.

Pharr, Jonathan. "What Deployed Troops Really Want in Their Care Packages." Veterans United Network What Deployed Troops Really Want in Their Care Packages Comments. N.p., 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 02 May 2014.

"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Military.com." Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Military.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014.

Schmoll, Shawn B. "How Would a Care Package Affect a Deployed Soldier?" Personal interview. 30 Apr. 2014.

Smith, Kenneth. "How Would a Care Package Affect a Deployed Soldier?" Online interview. 14 May 2014.

Zoroya, Gregg. "Study: High Suicide Rates for Soldiers In, out of War." USA Today. Gannett, 03 Mar. 2014. Web. 14 May 2014.

Open Document