Interesting study finds Soldiers Who Kill in Combat Less Likely to Abuse Alcohol. What do you think of that?

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:35:55 -0400

One of my friends shared this link on his Facebook page yesterday and I had to read it a few times to really develop my thoughts on the subject. Personally I don't fully agree with what the article says, I know I have some things that stick with me from being in combat and doing what I needed to do but then again, I do agree with the point that one of the commenters makes about it being a "caveman thing" meaning that you know by doing what you did, that your enemy is no longer a threat to you, that you are then able to sleep better.

Wondering what the RP community thinks.

Study: http://www.american.edu/media/news/20140610-Killing-in-Combat-and-Alcohol-Abuse.cfm

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 10:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 22:18:47 -0400

That is an interesting article. There are so many difficult things that can happen to a person in combat and it is a fascinating study.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 16 at 2014 10:57 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 22:57:46 -0400

I think LTC David Grossman summed it up better in his books: Some people are just better able to deal with killing than others.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 2 at 2015 3:36 AM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 03:36:50 -0500

There must be something to this, it is also a fact that more non combat soldiers claim disability and PTSD than do combat soldiers...I read a study over ODS era soldiers, not sure about OIF and such.