Posted on May 28, 2019
A U.S. Army Tweet Asking 'How Has Serving Impacted You?' Got An Agonizing Response
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The U.S. Army issued a tweet ahead of Memorial Day weekend with a question for service members and veterans: "How has serving impacted you?"
Among the thousands of responses: harrowing tales of trauma, depression and sexual assault.
In a thread, an Army tweet that preceded the question featured a video by Pfc. Nathan Spencer, a scout with the Army's First Infantry Division.
In the video, Spencer says, "To serve something greater than myself. The Army's afforded me the opportunity to do just that, to give to others, to protect the ones I love, and to better myself as a man and a warrior."
Among the thousands of responses: harrowing tales of trauma, depression and sexual assault.
In a thread, an Army tweet that preceded the question featured a video by Pfc. Nathan Spencer, a scout with the Army's First Infantry Division.
In the video, Spencer says, "To serve something greater than myself. The Army's afforded me the opportunity to do just that, to give to others, to protect the ones I love, and to better myself as a man and a warrior."
A U.S. Army Tweet Asking 'How Has Serving Impacted You?' Got An Agonizing Response
Posted from npr.org
Service
PTSD
Depression
Sexual Assault
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Some of those who made the negative comments have legitimate gripes.
Others seem to be deflecting because of some need to point a finger for their inability to cope with something.
I’m about to start year 14. I’m physically and, to some degree, emotionally broken because of my previous 13 years. Those are things that I knew would likely come with the experience. I’m not mad about it. I use those things to try and improve myself as a person, parent, spouse, leader, and soldier. If someone else can learn from my good and bad decisions and better themselves, then great. That’s the whole purpose, isn’t it? Something bigger than yourself?
Others seem to be deflecting because of some need to point a finger for their inability to cope with something.
I’m about to start year 14. I’m physically and, to some degree, emotionally broken because of my previous 13 years. Those are things that I knew would likely come with the experience. I’m not mad about it. I use those things to try and improve myself as a person, parent, spouse, leader, and soldier. If someone else can learn from my good and bad decisions and better themselves, then great. That’s the whole purpose, isn’t it? Something bigger than yourself?
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I had good times and bad times in the army. I try not to think of my career.
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I'm still recovering, still working through my past issues of the previously mentioned negatives that was posted on the above article.
I'm working on my eleventh year of active service, and despite the living nightmare moments that have hurt me, questioned my own validity for life; I find valor and strength in what I'm doing everyday in uniform. I can't imagine a life without serving my nation. Without giving what others won't, or can't. While the flash backs and nightmares remain with me, the strength for my entire extended family and the Armed Forces allow me to get up out of bed and push forward.
I'm working on my eleventh year of active service, and despite the living nightmare moments that have hurt me, questioned my own validity for life; I find valor and strength in what I'm doing everyday in uniform. I can't imagine a life without serving my nation. Without giving what others won't, or can't. While the flash backs and nightmares remain with me, the strength for my entire extended family and the Armed Forces allow me to get up out of bed and push forward.
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