Deployment on Soldiers and Their

¶ … Deployment on Soldiers and Their Families

The current prolonged involvement of United States armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 and 2003 respectively have now substantially exceeded the duration of military deployment of World War II. Contrary to their expectations, many soldiers have had to serve multiple deployments in those theaters, in many cases, extending their military service well beyond their intended length of military service; in some cases, they have even been recalled after their retirement pursuant to federal law that obligates their service in times of war (McGirk, 2009). Even under "ordinary" circumstances such as during peacetime, military deployment is tremendously stressful for both soldiers as well as their families remaining at home. In wartime, those stresses are increased tremendously, largely because of the obvious increased risk to life and limb associated with combat.

Deployment and Its Effects on Soldiers

Some of the consequences of prolonged (and repeated) deployment have included a dramatic rise in instances of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major clinical depression, and disruption of family relationships, believed to affect at least one of every five combat veterans who have served in either Iraq of Afghanistan (McGirk, 2009). Alcoholism, suicide, spousal abuse, and even several high-profile specific instances of murder have all been linked to PTSD. Even where soldiers do not suffer from PTSD of from other acute reactions to deployment in a combat zone, many experience mild depression, emotional isolation, and significant difficulties both while separated from their families overseas as well as upon their return to civilian life. In many cases, they find it difficult to readapt to their civilian way of life and the longer and more stressful the circumstances of their deployment, the greater those difficulties are (McGirk, 2009).

Deployment and Its Effects on Families

While soldiers are deployed overseas during peacetime, their spouses must carry on their lives, often requiring them to fulfill the normal responsibilities and obligations of two parents. In wartime, those hardships pale in comparison to the emotional anxiety associated with the natural concerns for the health, safety, and welfare of loved ones. Every news report about U.S. personnel killed or wounded in the theater in which their loved ones serve is a source of anxiety and fear until family members can confirm that the casualties did not involve their loved ones. Meanwhile, everyday civilian life must go on despite the fact that fathers and mothers cannot attend many of the ordinary events in the lives of their children that civilian families often take for granted. Upon their safe return, their prolonged absence is associated with higher than normal rates of marital problems and divorce, even without specific precipitating factors such as depression or PTSD (McGirk, 2009).

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