How many times can we keep sending the same soldiers to war?

[michaz]

No wonder PTSD is so rampant! My son-in-law is headed over now for his 3rd time. Just too much to put on these soldiers.

[natrat]

1. well they are making permanent 10+% unemployment so there will be more applicants

[uponit7771]

2. The back door draft hasn't been addressed by Obama yet, that part is disappointing...

...I know someone going for there 4 time and another for their second

[BobRossi]

3. It never will be either.

"Change" Ha ha ha ha!

[elocs]

4. My godson who is 20 has already done 1 tour & re-enlisted for 6 years.

This spring he will be going to Germany, but my bet is that he will shortly be back in Afghanistan because he is already a veteran there. He was at a forward operating base in the mountains of NE Afghanistan on the border with Pakistan. I warned him when he chose to enlist the first time that he would probably go to Iraq or Afghanistan and knows full well when he re-enlisted that he will go back to Afghanistan. My guess is that with the limited forces available they will keep sending the troops back until they get wounded and cannot fight, or they are killed, or they are such total head cases they are no good to themselves or anyone else.

[90-percent]

5. Question

Just how are multiple tours "supporting our troops" anyway? To treat our troops this way is almost unprecedented, isn't it? The only way troops in WW2 or Viet Nam did multiple tours is if they volunteered, correct?

not to mention the abuse heaped on those in the National Guard. They thought they'd only serve like this if there was a WW3.

-90% Jimmy

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. It's really not funny, but maybe they think until medicare kicks in.

This stuff is just plain crazy.

[JohnnyLib2]

7. I live near Ft. Knox and work with affected families.

Three and four tours are more or less routine. Medical retirements (combat-related injuries and PTSD) are adding up in this area. Supportive services have been slow in coming but will eventually be seen as a "growth industry," sad to say.

These are the under-emphasized consequences. They are much more obvious around major military posts. I think that 5 years from now the ramifications will be painfully visible across the U.S.