You're a Problem If We Say You Are

I think Mr. Mellish is a traitor to this country because
his views are different from the views of the President
and others of his kind.

Differences of opinion should be tolerated,
but not when they're too different.
Then he becomes a subversive mother.

Fielding Mellish: You cannot bash in the head of an American citizen
without written permission from the State Department.

--Bananas (1971), Woody Allen
________

Recent Pentagon reports say more than 22,000 troops have been discharged from the military since 2001 due to personality disorders. Many veterans believe that such diagnoses are often made to avoid making disability payments to troops who are actually suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

From the September VFW magazine:

"'If you have a combat tour and you are getting labeled as a personality disorder, there is something wrong.' said Jeff Peskoff, a 10-year Army vet who recently quit his job 'in disgust' as a civilian employee at Ft. Carson in Colorado. 'It's a quick way to get rid of that body and bring in another body. And it's a quick way to save money.'

"Peskoff told ABC News that over several months he processed hundreds of personality disorder discharges of combat vets who he believed were suffering from PTSD."

"A letter from 31 senators to Defense Secretary Robert Gates called for an investigation" (22,000 Troops Discharged with "Personality Disorders.)

Many soldiers severed from service by a "Chapter 5-13" — "separation because of personality disorder" — are not informed that they will lose medical benefits, and may have to pay back enlistment bonuses, as well. The Army defines Ch. 5-13 as a preexisting "maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration" that interferes with the soldier's ability to perform his duties.

"In practical terms, this diagnosis means the personality disorder existed before military service, and therefore medical care and disability payments are not the military's responsibility. But some veterans and veterans' advocates have been vocal in their belief that personality disorder is being misdiagnosed in combat veterans "(Questionable Treatment for Some Iraq Heroes.)

This gambit is a serious breech of trust on the part of the Army bureaucracy. It is entirely unfair to prey upon combat veterans by diagnosing preexisting personality disorders after the completion of a combat tour. Adequate psychological testing prior to enlistment would filter a great percentage of unfit personnel.

These soldiers deserve an even-handed approach to both service connected PTSD and preexisting disorders. Psychologists are not personnel management tools.