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BigBen · 05-15-2006, 06:52 AM

It is a tough culture. When the stress gets to you, it is harder than normal society because you have the culture to deal with. From "Suck it up, Buttercup" to "It Don't Mean Nothin'", soldiers are actually stripped of their normal stress coping mechanisms.

Coping mechanisms can be dangerous when the shit hits the fan. Last place you want to be is around guys who are coming apart. They toughen you, mentally and physically, and the emotional vent is closed.

No crying, no whining, no talking about feelings. No hugging, holding hands, cuddling or sharing. You shut the fuck up and deal with things on your own. How is a normal person supposed to react after too much stress gets to them? When you finally realize that there is a problem and reach out for help, you are beat down again. You see guys careers end from getting help. You see the group cast them out. You see the military institution unequipped for these injuries. So you sit there, and get worse. And worse. And then that whole suicide thing starts looking pretty good, because you feel like you are going to die anyway. Hey, at least you are in control when you commit suicide. It is better than getting blown up, or your face ripped off, or set on fire like the buddies who you loved and lost.

How do you change the culture? You don't. It changes on its own. All we can do is support the folks over there the best we can.

05-15-2006, 06:52 AM	#21 (permalink)
BigBen Comedian Location: Use the search button	It is a tough culture. When the stress gets to you, it is harder than normal society because you have the culture to deal with. From "Suck it up, Buttercup" to "It Don't Mean Nothin'", soldiers are actually stripped of their normal stress coping mechanisms. Coping mechanisms can be dangerous when the shit hits the fan. Last place you want to be is around guys who are coming apart. They toughen you, mentally and physically, and the emotional vent is closed. No crying, no whining, no talking about feelings. No hugging, holding hands, cuddling or sharing. You shut the fuck up and deal with things on your own. How is a normal person supposed to react after too much stress gets to them? When you finally realize that there is a problem and reach out for help, you are beat down again. You see guys careers end from getting help. You see the group cast them out. You see the military institution unequipped for these injuries. So you sit there, and get worse. And worse. And then that whole suicide thing starts looking pretty good, because you feel like you are going to die anyway. Hey, at least you are in control when you commit suicide. It is better than getting blown up, or your face ripped off, or set on fire like the buddies who you loved and lost. How do you change the culture? You don't. It changes on its own. All we can do is support the folks over there the best we can. __________________ 3.141592654 Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.