Because when your deployment is up you don't want to sit around talking about your "feelings" with a bunch of coneheads in ANY setting - you WANT TO GO HOME to be with wife and kids.
If there's to be some time to do this sort of thing, let it be after homecoming.
"give our troops 30 days before they return home" - they sound so benevolent.
The morons who come up with this stuff have obviously never served.
I have no military experience so don’t know all the personal feelings of deployment and coming home and all that.
But I figure they could do these programs after the troops come home. Maybe when they are back home back at home base they could attend classes and meetings on these subjects?
If these programs help prevent mental health problems that’s great. But I bet the guys are eager to get home not spend another 30 days somewhere to prepare to come home.
That said, folks who have been in extremely stressful circumstances (I bet combat would be included there) cannot talk meaningfully about what has happened to them except with those who were there too.
I bet they do not want to try to explain to a person with no frame of reference what it was like.
In previous wars this function occurred on the troop ship home (or train or whatever) where they were traveling with their squad or company, people who shared the location and activity.
Those people understand what you mean without excess words or explanation. Getting it off your chest (even if not completely) relieves a lot of pressure.
Koombya and campfires are not what is required. Telling stories to peers is.
Weeks are not required. A couple of days with plenty of beer, food and mild diversions will do wonders.
Will it do everything; probably not but it would probably help some.
I am a vet who had adventures but no combat. USN '68-'72
we are all different but I been sniffing yalls crap for 118 days and I need to be alone for a while before I sniff the wifes butt.
I understand decompress