Posted on Jan 27, 2017
What was the worst day you had in the military, and how did you/do you deal with it?
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Mine was 9 July 2006, During the Surge in Iraq... Too too many casualties... After an EFP strike on one of our Patrols that resulted in 1 KIA (The Squad Leader who was on his 4th deployment to OIF) and 2 WIA....
I can still remember arriving at the CSH, and talking to young MPs from his squad, probably all in their first year in the Army... and the one young MP still covered in blood, who had tried to save her Squad Leader. I remember pinning a Purple Heart on a severely wounded gunner from the M1151 before he was EVACd to Landsthuhl. I can still vividly remember all of us saluting at the helicopter as it lifted off for BIAP for the start of that Squad Leader's last ride home.
I am still not sure why this day was was worst than any other, as we took too many casualties... But this day and event was different... Perhaps it was the fact that that SL was so beloved, or voluntarily on his 4th deployment since 2001... or, because he had a wife and 5 kids, or perhaps it was the stunned looked on the squads face, especially the MP covered in blood.
For some reason, I remember that bad day more than many others...
I can still remember arriving at the CSH, and talking to young MPs from his squad, probably all in their first year in the Army... and the one young MP still covered in blood, who had tried to save her Squad Leader. I remember pinning a Purple Heart on a severely wounded gunner from the M1151 before he was EVACd to Landsthuhl. I can still vividly remember all of us saluting at the helicopter as it lifted off for BIAP for the start of that Squad Leader's last ride home.
I am still not sure why this day was was worst than any other, as we took too many casualties... But this day and event was different... Perhaps it was the fact that that SL was so beloved, or voluntarily on his 4th deployment since 2001... or, because he had a wife and 5 kids, or perhaps it was the stunned looked on the squads face, especially the MP covered in blood.
For some reason, I remember that bad day more than many others...
PTSD
Retirement
Stress
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 18
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COL Charles Williams I have had too many bad days in the military to rank as the worst. Anytime you have to bury one of your own and hand the flag to the widow, provide notification to the next of kin, or be on funeral detail for one of our own is a hard day. My old 1SG and I were talking before rehearsing for a funeral with our Soldiers and it came up of cry your eyes out tonight and reflect. Tomorrow you have to be perfect and hold it together for the family. After you get back in the car you can cry your eyes out again. Even if you do not know who we are laying to rest it takes a toll. We are here to talk, to listen, here is the chaplain's number. You can talk to anyone you want, just make sure you talk to someone. Those words remain with me as you will have flashbacks or memories and you just need to vent and release and reflect. So I handle it by talking to those who have served and did similar things because they know where I am coming from and are more likely to know ways to help me and I to help them.
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SPC Kristina Robinson
I never had to pull funeral detail, but my hats off to you and all that do. Much respect for being a rock in such a horrible situation.
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LTC (Join to see)
My year as a CAO was very hard. Language and cultural differences, divorced parents, tragic non combat related circumstances all added in. Sure earned my pay that year.
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SFC Francisco Roman
Had weekend pass, made it back for 0700 Hr formation, had the worst hangover ever,barf all over the first squad. had to scrub the whole entire front and back of the unit side walks.
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC Francisco Roman - I was the clock guy for a PT test for my company and the Soldier right in front of me was holding the feet of a SGT during the situp and he said I am sorry and just let go of his feet and hurled.....that was interesting...
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While deployed:
• Picking up pieces of people
• Being on-site after chlorine bomb blast
• First day deployed, IA soldier brought to the aid station with amputated leg and no tourniquet
• Having to pick up, bag, and transport a servicemember who committed suicide behind our aid station
• Having to remove a young soldier who committed suicide from a porta-john
• Being the default chaperone/witness for every sexual assault case. I'm very awkward, so I imagine I unintentionally made things worse
• Being sexually assaulted and the reactions of the people in my unit in the aftermath
• Marrying my second husband to deter my first husband. He was stalking me
In retrospect, that deployment sucked.
• Picking up pieces of people
• Being on-site after chlorine bomb blast
• First day deployed, IA soldier brought to the aid station with amputated leg and no tourniquet
• Having to pick up, bag, and transport a servicemember who committed suicide behind our aid station
• Having to remove a young soldier who committed suicide from a porta-john
• Being the default chaperone/witness for every sexual assault case. I'm very awkward, so I imagine I unintentionally made things worse
• Being sexually assaulted and the reactions of the people in my unit in the aftermath
• Marrying my second husband to deter my first husband. He was stalking me
In retrospect, that deployment sucked.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
Damn. Sorry to hear that. You appear so brave and focused now. I hope you found justice and have gotten the care you need.
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COL Charles Williams
SSG Jessica Bautista All I can say is am sorry. Very sorry. Thank you for volunteering to serve. Medics are the most unsung heroes in our Army.
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