Over the years, several veterans of Vietnam have told me that you often have panic attacks in combat... It’s normal - you take a break and then you go back. You are not normal if you aren't scared. Sadly, most people don't understand panic disorder. Those who have panic attacks tend to be highly intelligent, hyperaware of their surroundings, and possess a keen sense of foreboding and ramifications.

In other words -- Republicans are unlikely victims. ;) If convicted in a court-martial, the soldier faces prison time and a dishonorable discharge. He was charged Oct. 14. His first court appearance is Nov. 7 at Fort Carson. A cowardice charge is extremely rare, military law experts say. Army officials couldn’t say Wednesday the last time it had been filed.

Porgany said he is wrongly charged. The soldier said he experienced a “panic attack” after seeing the mangled body of an Iraqi man and told his superior he was heading for a “nervous breakdown.” After that, Porgany said he didn’t request to go on missions nor did the unit ask him to go. Porgany said he asked for help but was denied the care soldiers with “combat stress” are supposed to receive. Instead of help, Porgany said, one of his superiors told him to “get his head out of his ass and get with the program.”

An Army psychologist in Iraq said Porgany had a normal reaction to seeing the body and recommended rest and then a return to duty, the soldier said. Instead, his commander ordered him back to Colorado Springs to face a court-martial for “misbehavior before the enemy.” (Full text here (http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1030-12.htm ))The punishment for running away from the Texas Air National Guard, however, is serving as the Commander in Chief.

:m: Peace.

I think every adult should experience the feeling of seeing a mangled corpse. I never saw a mangled corpse but I’ve seen corpses in pathology labs. I was very surprised by how I felt. I’m sure most people would be too. It sensitizes you on the value of life and also what you are willing to give up for the precious gift of life. Too many western civilians and politicians lack this “sensitivity”. Sitting comfortably in their living rooms, watching CNN, they really are not conscious of the specific horrors of war.
A “good soldier” should be trained to ignore those feelings.

The best soldier any army in the world could hope for would be Forest Gump. Physically fit. Immune to combat stresses. Willing to follow any orders. Not going to go schitzo.