NEWS
The Army Asked Soldiers ‘How Has Serving Impacted You?’ Their Responses Are Heartbreaking
Just before Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Army asked its Twitter followers how serving in the military has impacted their lives.
The Thursday tweet drew a flood of harrowing and heartbreaking responses, showing the human impact service and deployment has on veterans.
An overwhelming majority of the responses detailed struggles with mental health, PTSD and suicide.
“I am a Navy vet, I was a happy person before I served, now I am broke apart, cant even work a full 30 days due to anxiety and depression,” one tweet read. “I am in constant pain everyday.”
The “Combat Cocktail”: PTSD, severe depression, anxiety. Isolation. Suicide attempts. Never ending rage. It cost me my relationship with my eldest son and my grandson. It cost some of my men so much more.
How did serving impact me? Ask my family.— Sean P. (@SeanP_75) May 26, 2019
After 15 years in I was kicked out after showing obviously signs of PTSD and depression. Now I can't function in society because of my major depressive disorder.
So now what?— Cory Schabacker (@CorySchabacker) May 26, 2019
26 brothers dead. Only 8 in theater.
Psyche ward myself after 3 attempts.
Everything we accomplished in Mosul was wasted. Every life we gave was spat on.
That's how serving impacted me.
— Michael J Neel (@MichaelJNeel1) May 26, 2019
My cousin committed suicide while on duty at the armory after coming home from a tour abroad.
— Lacy M. Johnson (@lacymjohnson) May 25, 2019
My dad had lifelong medical complications from exposure to Agent Orange and he spent the last few years of his short life fighting for the VA to acknowledge his condition.
— Archie Danger (@ArchieSwift) May 26, 2019
Depression, anxiety, still can’t deal well with loud noises. I was assaulted by one of my superiors. When I reported him, with witnesses to corroborate my story, nothing happened to him. Nothing. A year later, he stole a laptop and was then demoted. I’m worth less than a laptop.
— schmox (@IvoryGazelle) May 25, 2019
26 brothers dead. Only 8 in theater.
Psyche ward myself after 3 attempts.
Everything we accomplished in Mosul was wasted. Every life we gave was spat on.
That's how serving impacted me.
— Michael J Neel (@MichaelJNeel1) May 26, 2019
OEF, OIF ptsd with chronic pain. I lost my wife, a chance to bound with my children. Worse of all I lost myself. It’s getting easier to survive but war is war. I’m proud to have sacrificed myself so that people I love don’t have to participate in war. Love one another.
— Lighthorse (@Dan96904742) May 26, 2019
The Army responded to its post late Saturday thanking everyone who responded.
“Thank you for sharing your story,” the Army wrote. “Your stories are real, they matter, and they may help others in similar situations. The Army is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our Soldiers.”
As we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice this weekend by remembering their service, we are also mindful of the fact that we have to take care of those who came back home with scars we can't see.
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) May 25, 2019
