Reactions split on awarding medal for PTSD

[unhappycamper]

Reactions split on awarding medal for PTSD
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, June 01, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — The question of whether troops with post-traumatic stress disorder should be eligible for the Purple Heart is not an easy one.

Currently, PTSD is one of the injuries that does not merit the Purple Heart, along with trench foot, heatstroke and self-inflicted wounds.

But when a reporter recently asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates about a military psychologist’s suggestion that troops with PTSD be eligible for the award, Gates said: "It’s an interesting idea. I think it’s clearly something that needs to be looked at."

Awards experts and other officials will review the matter at a meeting in June, but they are not expected to make a recommendation on the matter, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Withington.

"The department’s long-standing policy is not to create a new award or modification that would dilute the recognition provided by our existing awards and thereby lessen their prestige," Withington said in an e-mail on Friday.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55235