The Broken Soldier

Bruce sends me stories of other soldiers and their families from time to time.  One story hit me pretty hard.  The info I have is incomplete, but I’ll do my best to piece it together.

“Emotionally impaired” young guy.  CO and NCOs appointed over him deny the problem.  He’s sent to Iraq.  Problem gets worse.  CO and NCOs continue to deny the problem.  EI young guy up and hit the bricks.  No one, not even his mother, knows where he is.  Given that he is (or was) EI and suicidal, he may very well be dead.  If not, if found, he’d probably wish he were, as I’m sure his COs have no sympathies nor will they show him any mercy for unauthorized leave.

He was last spotted in Michigan.  The FBI and local sheriff are checking John Doe DNA for a match.  So far they’ve not found him.

I shared a similar story before about a buddy of mine named Ritchy.  His CoC denied him assistance with drug dependency and mental health issues.  Ritchy went AWOL to go to drug rehab.  I don’t know what became of him, but at least I know he returned alive.  I’m praying this young man will too.