Soldier, After Bipolar Treatment and Suicide Attempts, Sent Back to War Zone

[proud2BlibKansan]

Fort Carson - A Fort Carson soldier who says he was in treatment at Cedar Springs Hospital for bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse was released early and ordered to deploy to the Middle East with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

The 28-year-old specialist spent 31 days in Kuwait and was returned to Fort Carson on Dec. 31 after health care professionals in Kuwait concurred that his symptoms met criteria for bipolar disorder and "some paranoia and possible homicidal tendencies," according to e-mails obtained by a Denver newspaper.

The soldier, who asked not to be identified because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and because he will seek employment when he leaves the Army, said he checked himself into Cedar Springs on Nov. 9 or Nov. 10 after he attempted suicide while under the influence of alcohol. He said his treatment was supposed to end Dec. 10, but his commanding officers showed up at the hospital Nov. 29 and ordered him to leave.

"I was pulled out to deploy," said the soldier, who has three years in the Army and has served a tour in Iraq.

more . . . http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021108R.shtml

[genie_weenie]

1. It's not as if anyone really cares

He's merely another cog in the machine. And there are important elections to win.

[Smith_3]

3. Of course they don't care....

In order to care they would have to acknowledge that "our troops have weaknesses". And lord forbid, that might cost them some votes.

[babylonsister]

2. Rec'd for more outrage. What could this soldier have done? It's

heartbreaking that we have so little respect for these men and women, heartbreaking to know how disposable they are. Can't anybody see how wrong this is?

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. What could he have done?

Oh, gone AWOL and then served time.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

4. Why doesn't the military give this soldier a medical leave?

That would be the respectable thing to do. Of course, leave it to Chimp's cronies to kick someone like that when they're down. I can't imagine the horrors he'll have to deal with, likely for the rest of his life. How sad.

[kineneb]

5. good grief!

The people who sent this poor guy back are insane. He needs help, not more stress, which will just make his condition worse.

[Forkboy]

6. Well where else should someone with homicidal tendencies be sent?

You gotta start thinking like the bastards in charge. :puke:

[lonestarnot]

7. And one I talked about yesterday didn't even get a response. He's already dead. Killed himself.