The Broken Soldier

Democrat or Republican, Liberal, Conservative, Moderate or non-political, in these politically divisive times the importance of soldiers’ rights seem one of the few issues on which we can all agree. With scandals at Walter Reed, disabled soldiers being asked to return all or part of their enlistment bonuses, and the many other issues concerning service members and veterans in recent press it should be obvious to all of us that there is a lot of room for improvement. It is also clear to many of us serving now that those in positions of authority in the military and in elected government don’t feel hurried to address such issues. Issues that seem to matter to people of all political stripes. In the coming elections it is important to press your favorite candidate on these matters, along with others you regard as important. What will he or she do to improve this system? Will he or she press Congress or the Courts to revisit Feres and other case laws barring service members and their families from bringing lawsuits against military doctors for the most gross medical malpractice - a right every citizen, including prison inmates, have but service members do not. Ask them to be specific. And if elected, hold them to their promises. A great injustice is being done. An injustice that can be meaningfully addressed if sufficient numbers of people get mad, get organized, and get involved.