Are you easily offended? If so, do not read this! If not, provide some feedback.

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 07:19:51 -0500

WARNING: graphic language, DO NOT READ if you are some sensitive, easily offended, touchy feely type, got it? Now its on you.

http://findingvalhalla.com/2015/04/22/stigma-the-silent-killer/

Stigma. The 'Not-So-Silent' Killer.

For those of you who have served, especially in the infantry, you know that there is a stigma when it comes to the profession of combat. Weak is the only four letter word that someone could call yo...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 7:22 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 07:22:59 -0500

If it possible to get the page from somewhere else? The page had been blocked by my administrator for some weird reason ......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 7:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 07:52:43 -0500

CSM Michael J. Uhlig this is a great article and an insightful look into the inner world of the infantry. The author made several good points, their world is a select one within the military itself. Most combat arms look down upon their brethren but the reality is they are suffering the same issues. The change must come from within that culture if we are start saving more lives.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 5 at 2015 8:19 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:19:13 -0500

Thanks for provoking a thought-provoking article CSM Michael J. Uhlig. Recognizing our own weaknesses and those of those who are member of our team is important. The one word I would cringe at is "coward" not weak. I know I have strengths and weaknesses. AS a Christian I know that God works through my weaknesses to His glory so that no man may boast in his own strength to God.
Genuine love for our friends and family members includes telling them the truth and being willing to listen to them whether they are angry, grieving, joyful, or whatever. The more we understand about those are around us the better chance we have of helping them through difficulty. Good communication can reduce suicide, DUI, domestic violence.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 8:26 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:26:19 -0500

After reading the "copy and pasted" post.

Well, that is the special bond between infantries ...

In Navy, we got a different bond, the ship will sink ... and she will bring us to the bottom together, she don't care your skin color, religion, sexual preference, gender, or any other things you care. We are one when we are on a ship. We can fight each other and beat the crap out of each other ... but when someone throw "sh!t" at her, we are one.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 8:33 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:33:57 -0500

There is an internal dichotomy in the writing. The irony seems to be lost to the author. The first paragraph shows why the last paragraphs are unreachable. If the mentality in the first paragraph is modified, you can get to the goals he is talking about. Until then..."take a knee and drink water."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 8:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:34:06 -0500

wow strong feelings there. He sounds angry, maybe with that sort of attitude he should of been with special forces instead.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 5 at 2015 10:50 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:50:49 -0500

I think it is nice that the Specialist has the time to write. I say Specialist, not as an insult to Specialist but that is the maturity level this story reminds me of? There are different maturity levels I have encountered in my career and this one screams of a Specialist in an Infantry unit? Still buying into the hype? I could be wrong...but doubt it.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 5 at 2015 11:32 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:32:00 -0500

This was a very interesting read....by the end of the first paragraph, I wasn't sure where it was going.... First, I think that he has an over inflated sense of his career field. There are many other branches of service AND career fields that deal with many of the same things that he does. Almost all military members have the same outlook on the "weakness" and "covering feelings".... I agree that these (and more) roadblocks work to keep the average troop from seeking care for both physical and mental concerns.. The difficulty is that in order to be "strong in combat", feelings and emotions are repressed, ailments are covered for, and people just adjust to their "new norm"..... I would pose the question as to what our WWI and WW2, vets did differently? They didn't deploy for 4, 6, 12, or 18 months....they deployed for the whole war unless sent back! Korea and Vietnam did things differently with deployment rotations.... Did they have suicide rates similar to today? if not...WHY? HOW did they deal with it? If the rates are approximately the same, then it is something to look at also.... Lots of things to look at, and this article brings an almost morbidly slanted view to the table of something that IS an issue, but it is wider than the author knows or chooses to understand (except in the most vague terms).

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 5 at 2015 12:15 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:15:24 -0500

I think that the author wrote in very well, he attempted to pull us in and get us fired up before going into the problem associated within the Combat Arms arena. He makes many good points, unless you are to busy trying to label him as immature or angry (not directed at you).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 5 at 2015 12:43 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:43:02 -0500

A person with a strong constitution who believes in a don't quit attitude becomes debilitated by PTSD and Depression. It rocks their world.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 5 at 2015 1:11 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:11:29 -0500

CSM Michael J. Uhlig Great post - It hit home on a number of fronts! Thanks for sharing!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 5 at 2015 1:29 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:29:55 -0500

Well I must say reading the article sheds a light on many have turned their backs on this real life situation that does need to be address, to many are dying unnecessary deaths why? I will tell you why because Politicians like to play with peoples lives all because of a political motive to show the other countries who is the biggest dog in the fight, but yet this truth is now out, so the question is what are "WE" going to do about it!

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Nov 5 at 2015 2:09 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:09:09 -0500

Excellent article, especially this part: "Guilt, anger, and regret are the new enemies that could defeat us if we don’t face them. I see the best of us choosing isolation rather than seeking out someone to talk to because everyone else seems to be doing fine. None of us are fine but refuse to let it show. Refuse to show that weakness. I know now that seeking out help gives us the best chance to get as close to what normal should be." May I add 'shame' to that deadly mix? Guild and shame are not synonymous: guilt is feeling badly about something you've done (behavior); shame is when you feel badly about who you are. This article seemed to be addressing the shame attached to weakness.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Nov 5 at 2015 2:13 PM

COL Ted Mc — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:13:27 -0500

CSM Michael J. Uhlig - Sergeant Major; The author of the article - if not exaggerating for emphasis - is dangerous to their own people. People who LIKE to kill have no place in the military.

Equally since the author exhibits absolutely no comprehension of what is actually involved in getting them into a position where they can "close with and destroy the enemy" they will never be able to understand the complexities of command (even at the NCO level). This, again, makes them dangerous to their own people.

What the author fails to realize is that for about 99.375% of history the vast majority of military success was NOT won by any "self-selected special breed" up at the sharp end it was won by masses of ordinary people who really didn't really want to be up at the sharp end in the first place.

Response by CPL Richard Flagg made Nov 5 at 2015 5:22 PM

CPL Richard Flagg — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:22:43 -0500

CSM thank you for this thought provoking article. Like someone else said this hits home on many levels; no if only the VA would understand such wisdom it would hopefully stop over medicating us and turning us into zombies all holed up in ourselves.

Thank you again brother for speaking the truth.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 5 at 2015 5:27 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:27:05 -0500

Even though this is written Infantry specific, it is a serious problem that plagues the Army as a whole. Even support MOS (EOD, Medics, Commo etc) who walk directly with these units or are out there dealing with the fight personally do not want to fail or let a buddy down, and in the end, they do just that by not speaking up, and it could cost them their own lives. As leaders we want to think we're all "Alpha" and ready to do "business" and that "business is good", but there's more to it than just that, and there needs to be a hard talk about bringing these troops home, and more than just their bodies. We need their minds too. They're our future leaders. We have "creeds" and "ethos" for days, but not one talks about the hidden challenges or mental damage war can bring.
Leaders need to be able to talk to their troops, and not just in superior to subordinate but man to man or whatever way equals that. When you build that bridge with them and that trust is made, you can then attempt the hardest job ever of bringing PFC Snuffy back from Iraq or the Stan, and make him a more complete person who is bigger than any body count, or award you could ever earn. This IS NCO business. We are the FIRST line interaction, and the ones charged with taking care of Soldiers. You get the satisfaction of making him better than you, and more resilient than ever, because he can talk to you, confide in you and know you (his leader) really does have his back. If you can save one, you've done your job; if you can save more mentally and physically, you're one step below God to me. We're loosing too many, and I could give zero f*cks about your MOS, your rank, or where you deployed.
I listen to the talk of one round equals 5.56mm of freedom. I'll ask if that same 5.56mm round of freedom going into PFC Snuffys head at 0300 because he had no one to talk to, no one to relate, and didn't want to be seen as weak, is it really 5.56mm of freedom or 5.56mm of FREE pain?
Leaders need to talk To and not AT for a change. Take a knee. It might be the right time to save a life, including your own.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 9:17 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 21:17:08 -0500

Cool post!