"Interesting upcoming program on UAVs from Frontline" Topic

link

Looks at the pilots in Nevada flying missions in the Middle East.

Who are apparently getting combat pay and having to go to therapists for PTSD… sheesh.

Seriously?

Guys just the knowledge that you took an action that led to the death of another human being has consequences. After the endorfins settle and the rush of fight or flight lessons then what you saw and did sits there and you never stop thinking about it, killing is never an easy thing to live with for soldiers.wheather your in a knife fight or thousands of miles away you still wrestle with the aftermath. Im not going to question their recieving combat pay I have seen MQ9s save a few behinds in my day…….Mikey

That, sir, is a good point.

I got back from Iraq 3 months ago, after serving in country for over 18 months. I wasn't with the military, but a supporting government bureau. Two days ago I got a call asking to rate the the EPA counselling I received. I told them not a single person called me to see how I was doing, except for friends who were still serving in the warzone. The individual told me because I had received no EPA assistance, I wasn't eligible for the survey. Hmmm.

It is routine for police officers to receive several days off (with pay) after a fatal shooting. The purpose is to provide a 'cooling off' period and time to examine them for their own well-being. I have never had a fatal shooting myself but was involved in or had direct knowledge of the investigation of others. It is a sound policy even though it is usually not needed.

In my 21 years at my department inner-demons have killed far more comrades than bad guys. Perhaps with alcohol or drugs. Perhaps with their own weapon. But it happens far more often than most people realise. Pretending it doesn't happen is ignoring the reality of human limitations and a diservice to the brave people who serve.

I can easily imagine some of these pilots experience strong feelings of guilt. They possibly hit several targets over time. Some probably hear noncombatants (including women and kids) were killed by their attack. I'll bet often the people targeted are not a threat to anyone at the time of the attack or a clear 'military' target: perhaps even people sleeping in a home or attending a social gathering.

A bureaucrat's reassurance that the attack was legally ordered and was based on 'the best available intelligence', may not be enough to completely ease their mind.