Psychological Aspects of War

[SFontaine]

I've always been very interested in the psychological aspects of combat. How does the Army ready troops for killing and the harsh images of War that make everyday people like myself cringe and look away. Is it through training or do they just "get used to it"?

Thank you

[16 OBr SpN]

I've always been very interested in the psychological aspects of combat. How does the Army ready troops for killing and the harsh images of War that make everyday people like myself cringe and look away. Is it through training or do they just "get used to it"?

Thank you

While you are in combat you'll quickly learn how to kill an enemy, otherwise you'll be the one to get killed.

Much depends on person's mental strength. Some people get used to it, while others "break".

Hardest part comes when you're back into civilian life.
After the war, when you are back home, some images will be stalking you till the day you die. Nightmares, depression, insomnia, these are just several typical cases. Overcoming them is very important, but very hard. I've gone through some hard times myself.

Regards,
16 OBr SpN

[...]

Read the book On Killing. It talks all about what you are asking.

[ShotOver]

Good question mate, and a good answer by 16 Obr.

The members in my family that have served, including my Gradfather, now deceased, and both uncles were all combat soldiers.

My Grandfather served in WW2 and Korea, and my uncles were in Vietnam.

I used to speak to them alot, when i had the chance.. my oldest uncle is an alcoholic because of the war, and i try not to ask him to many questions. But the two questions i did ask all three of them were...

1. Have you ever killed another man in combat
2. How did you feel afterwards

And all three of them said yes, but the answer that i got for the 2nd question didnt surprise me in the slightest. They said that they felt good, because that was one less enemy that could harm him or any of his friends or fellow countrymen.

Both my uncles shake when they hear helicopters, and can not sit still for more than 10 minutes, without shaking or mumbeling to themselves.

Both wrecks.

But this question should be aimed at the other combat veterans of this site.

Blue on Blue's are a whole other story though.

The story about my grandmother on my mum side (Scottish), her brother was a bombadier (spelling?) of a Lancaster bomber in WW2, and he once dropped bombs ontop of the Lancaster underneath him, killing the whole crew.

He killed himself because he could not live with the guilt.

So, killing is very different, and comes in alot of ways. So it's hard to get an answer to your question that suits everyone, if you know what i mean.

[Dalleer]

Yes, I suppose that if you survive the whole idea of killing someone mentally, each time you really do it will be that much easier.

[duck]

Well, militaries do not prepare soldiers/marines/sailors etc. just to kill, they prepare them to work as an effective part of the whole machinery. The drill sergeant is there to get you used to taking orders and following them without too much hesitation, time at the range and live fires hone shooting and reaction skills, during excersises you learn to respect Murphy's law and the chaos that is called combat, and all of this makes you understand the value of your fellow soldiers and how insignificant the individual is.