Can't really blame the military though, or the Marine Corps. They are tasked by POTUS or Congress. So, off we go. I blame both for underestimating exactly what they were asking of us though.
As far as mental health goes, it's kinda weird. I remember after Iraq, I was part of the initial invasion, we had a sit down with the shrink and the chaplain. They did it by rank, I suppose so that they didn't have the higher ups break down in front of the troops, or clam up because of them. This was in Kuwait, so we had only been off the front (which was fucking everywhere) for about 4-5 days. It was pretty disorganized, but I can't blame them for trying the best they could with what they had. It was basically a dozen or so Sgt's in a tent. The questions were the typical shit; "talk about the worst thing you saw," "how does that make you feel," "can you sleep?" Some people seemed fine. Others were very obviously broken. For the most part it was whom I'd suspect.
Now that comes off as a bit cuntish, and I really don't mean it that way. All these guys did their jobs, so I don't hold it against them. But for some it was just too much. Some saw some bad shit, others saw stuff that I felt was pretty tame, relatively speaking. I guess you just have no idea how that's going to affect someone. The best the military and our country can do is to have all the resources available for those that need them. We owe them nothing less.
From my experience post-service, the VA has been OK. I never sought them out for any mental health/stress issues. But I did feel that anytime I went in there was various screenings for general mental health concerns. I've even got a couple of calls (been out almost 13 years now) to kinda check in with me and see if I was doing ok. But I've yet to talk to anyone that actually requested or sought help in that department, so my opinion should be taken at a distance.
