PTSD is a grossly abused excuse. It is real for some. But my Dad suffered from nightmares his entire life - from WW2 and Korea - yet rose to the rank of Colonel and died in Vietnam.
One uncle in the Merchant Marine had 2 ships sunk under him. He was also blown overboard during a torpedo attack and no one can explain how he survived over 24 hours in the North Atlantic on a piece of wood.
He came home, built a life and was a wonderful guy.
PTSD does exist, but it has been abused to create jobs for VA administrators.
I quit going to the local VA office because the guys there wouldn’t leave me alone about applying for PTSD. “You were on gunboats. You have to have PTSD.” Yada yada yada. I refuse to let one of those f***ing brain butchers get their mitts on me. Psychiatrists will ruin your life. They have destroyed several friends and acquaintances of mine. Not me. No way.
How would you characterize your experience in service? Any PTSD? Nightmares? Flashbacks?
I sincerely respect your father’s service. Holy Moses! There are not many who have ribbons from all three of those wars. Really an amazing Patriot.
Your uncle too. Merchant Marine was no joke in those times. I had a relative that lied about his age (15) in WWII, the Navy turned him down but the Merchant Marine signed him on. He did three dangerous years in the Pacific Theater. Crazy times.
You do admit there are some really screwed up folks that come back with PTSD, right?
It’s too bad that veterans of previous generations didn’t get help for their ailments. Seeing a psych or a shrink or even a counselor before the early oughts was a no-go. Up through the early 2000s and even after, if you had issues, you could never admit it. You security clearance would be pulled, and you would be re-assigned to handing towels out at the post gym.
In so many cases through decades, the solution was to just suicide. Whether through drugs or alcohol, fast cars, gambling, motorcycles, or just painting the Sisteen Chapel on your ceiling with a shotgun.
Times have changed and mental health care is much improved these days. The old stigmas are gone, thankfully.