The Federalist It’s Time To Reject The Myth Of The ‘Broken’ Military Veteran
I am a U.S. Army combat veteran. In 2006-2007, my infantry platoon in Afghanistan regularly exchanged fire with Taliban fighters. We had a high casualty rate: I saw my men wounded and killed in action, and I was medically discharged, diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
My combat service was difficult and challenging. But I’m here to tell you that I was not “broken” or “damaged” by that experience.
It may seem strange that I should feel compelled to declare that fact. But given the ways in which military veterans are routinely portrayed in media coverage and popular culture, we need to correct the common view that military service is psychologically devastating.