Betrayal of the Troops: The Devastating Consequences of Underestimating War

In 1999, Greg Rund, a freshman at Columbine High School, survived the devastating school shooting but wasn't as fortunate in Iraq, where he was killed in combat on his second tour of duty. Rund's story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by troops who are often forgotten once they return home. The Bush administration's refusal to substantially expand the volunteer military has led to severe military personnel shortages, forcing troops to serve multiple tours in Iraq, which has taken a significant toll on their morale.

Key Takeaways:

• The Army National Guard has missed its recruiting goals for the past two months by 30 percent, highlighting the difficulties in recruiting troops in a sustained combat environment.
• The chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. James Helmly, warned of a "precipitous decline" in recruiting that could lead to renewed discussions about reinstatement of the draft.
• Over 1,300 troops have been killed in Iraq, and many thousands more are coming home with serious wounds, including mental health issues such as PTSD and attempted suicide.
• Veterans' advocates and military doctors warn of a potential deluge of tens of thousands of soldiers returning with serious mental health problems, with some experts estimating that the number could exceed 100,000 when considering both Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The war in Iraq has been marked by a series of mistakes and miscalculations, including incorrect intelligence, troop strength estimates, and cost projections, which have resulted in significant human suffering and loss of life.

Statistics:

• 1,300 troops have been killed in Iraq to date.
• Nearly 900 troops have been evacuated from Iraq by the Army for psychiatric reasons, including attempts or threatened attempts at suicide.
• The potential number of American troops needing mental health treatment could exceed 100,000 when considering both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The Army National Guard has missed its recruiting goals for the past two months by 30 percent.

Sources:

• "We Don't Have Enough Troops Because We Are Fighting the War on the Cheap." By Walter Pincus. The Washington Post.
• "The Army Struggles to Recruit Troops in a Sustained Combat Environment." By David Ottlinger. The Dallas Morning News.
• "The Bush Administration's Treatment of Troops: A Pattern of Betrayal." By Walter Pincus. The Washington Post.
• "Military and Veterans' Groups Sound Alarm About Iraq War-Related Mental Health Issues." By Scott Shane. The New York Times.