This story from the NY Times just highlights the sad state of affairs of the military medical system. It also shows the lack of oversight by the IG's, the Chain of Command, and the Bush Administration.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
Are they responsible for this soldier eating a patch that he should have been wearing, no, but then again when the soldier had informed them that he was not using the patches properly, they should have stopped giving him the patches. A common sense approach, simplistic, yes, but effective.
This death is but one of many, the story has come to light about the PTSD soldiers being sent back to war, with pockets full of anti-depressants, anxiety pills, some have committed suicide while in Iraq for their 2nd or 3rd tour of duty
http://www.vawatchdog.org/... this should be disgusting to most Americans, sending a mentally ill service member back to the same place that caused it and tell them it will be alright, you will get over the nightmare's. Even pyschiatrists are asking what idiot thought this up was smoking.
If the drain on the military is so great, that they have to resort to sending mentally ill service members back into the war zone, maybe it is TIME to downsize the mission.
Abusing trainees who have volunteered for service to this nation has never been an acceptable practice, even during boot camp during Vietnam, there was abuse, and yes quite a few drill sergeants were court martialed over it, as they should have been, have some abusive practices escaped punishment, I am sure there is.
But this nation has expectations that when we send our children off to serve this nation, that they are getting the best care possible, that they will at least have someone to see that they are using medications as prescribed and not eating potent patches, especially after they have been told on for the same type of abuse before. Soldiers on pills for pyschiatric reasons do NOT belong in a war zone with access to loaded weapons.
Congress should be asking what in the world DOD is allowing to happen in the military, someone has to be accountable as Commander in Chief, George W Bush has the reponsibility to ensure that this nations military has the best medical care possible, Congress funds everything that DOD asks for, and some where along the line the ball is being dropped.