U.S. ARMY IMPAIRED REASONING

Like it or not, this Fort Hood massacre situation looks like another case where the U.S. Army needs to re-evaluate their deployment policies.

Yes, when you join the U.S. military you become "government issue," or a G.I., and, for the most part, you must do what your superiors order you to do, and without question.

However, we are on the brink of the year 2010, not 1865, and in the midst of another unpopular military action. There are many "career soldiers" who are not happy with their duty assignments.

In particular, if an officer – especially a medical officer – expresses any type of dissatisfaction with assigned duties, or conditions, the Army can simply reassign the officer, to something else. (There are many gung–ho types waiting for some action.)

Yes, there would be others waiting to take his/her place, anxious and wanting to go into combat.

However, for those desiring change, maybe there could be a stint in supply, laundry, food service, or motor pool, until the enlistment or service period ends, or the processing of a discharge; whichever comes soonest.

Conversely, instead of the Army doing that, there are the "good ol' boys" in the Army who believe in the dictum - "Ya'll do as I say, ya hear?" Or, "Yew WILL do such and such, or I will Courts Martial yew," etc. Whether their leadership is good or bad, they relish their control over others.

Most people who have a lick of sense would express some concern for their safety and the safety of others, by asking questions of superiors who might fall into the impaired reasoning category. Just because someone is a sergeant or an officer, that does not mean that individual is reasonably intelligent or knows the safest and best course of action.

As an Honorably Discharged veteran of four years of U.S. military service, I am well aware that far too many sergeants, and some officers, get waaay tooo wrapped up with, and carried away by, their authority and control over others.

It is very important to realize that one does not need to serve in actual combat to develop PTSD, (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). There are dozens of non–combat events that could cause stress or trauma to you and not to me, and vice versa.

Major Hasan could have easily developed "transference" and PTSD or Depression, simply by listening about the traumatic and stressful experiences of his patients.

The split second that others heard Major Hasan expressing dissatisfaction with his duties, the Army should have reassigned him to different work, while, they arranged for his discharge. Problem solved.

Instead, someone in the Army, who more than likely still is receiving a paycheck, either shrugged off the possibility of trouble, or made the decision not to do anything. We need to find that person(s) and make them accountable.

Worse yet, according to published reports, the Army knew at least SIX MONTHS AGO, that Maj. Hasan was not a happy camper.

Now, because of the Army's intractability, and goof ball “good ol’ boy thinking,” many people are dead and wounded. More than likely, the Army will end up having to arrange for an execution. All of this because of some people with higher rank using their heads for a hat rack, or should that be a goofy looking beret rack, instead of thinking.

This is a very sorry mess.

A few years ago, in the state of Washington, it was a similar situation with 1stLt. Watada, at Fort Lewis, where higher rank dullard thinking ended up costing the Army a lot of money and embarrassment.

When 1stLt. Watada expressed dissatisfaction with his impending deployment, the Army should have reassigned him to a paperwork job, while discharging him. That would have saved the Army a bunch of $$ and a ton of embarrassment.

Also, it is possible that enlisted and officer troops alike could be reassigned and allowed to serve and finish their 20 year career. There are hundreds of jobs in the Army that do not involve combat, or working in a combat zone.

I am hoping that U.S. Army leaders will wake up to that fact, and do something positive about it. One can still serve the U.S. military honorably, AND be a non-combatant. Problem solved.