The World Socialist Web Site received the following letter in response to our November 12 article, “US soldier refused Afghan deployment over PTSD.”

The Air Force is no better. My husband returned from his third deployment in four years and is obviously suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). He had migraines, serious anger issues, anti-social behavior and the list goes on. Mental health on base says that he’s ok and that if he doesn’t ask for help, there’s nothing they can do for him.

How often does a person that really needs help recognize it and/or see it? He has told me that he has nothing left to live for. He’s threatened to sit in the living room with a gas can and set himself on fire. I have told his chain of command and all they tell me is to divorce him. We’ve been married for twelve years and have four kids together. It’s been almost a year and he had to move out after he assaulted me. It’s just really sad that he went from a good father and a good husband to not even being able to see our children—and the Air Force doesn’t think they have any responsibility to get him help.

My worst fear is that in a year from now, I will be suing the Air Force because he finally commits suicide and his life insurance is gone and so is the father of my children.

Emily
17 November 2010