Do you think the Purple Heart (US military medal) eligibility should include PTSD?

No, I have a Purple Heart for wounds received by the enemy in a car bomb attack in Iraq. It took months of pain and physical and mental therapy to even get me back to what I am. I have PTSD issues, but I wouldn't except a PH for it.


Doing so will open the floodgates to all types of flakes and pogues claiming 'brain damage' or 'mental scarring' to receive this coverted award. I am talking hunderds of thousands of servicemembers, especially if they see the benefits it can get you. I mean what will be the test: You deployed, saw or heard some explosions, do you have bad dreams, ok here's your Purple Heart.





While I feel for those with legit PTSD issues there are too many frauds out there.


I wouldn't want to wear mine anymore. What's next giving out black berets to anyone who joins to Army instead of us former and current Rangers who had to earn them, not get them issued like underwear...oh wait too late.

Do you think the Purple Heart (US military medal) eligibility should include PTSD?
Conceptually yes ... but wow, what a complicated question - and one that will be very contravercial.





PTSD can be every bit as destructive (in fact far more destructive) than many physical injuries - and it can be acquired under extremely heroic circumstances. But strictly speaking, the purple heart is not an award for heroism (there are other rewards for that).





By tradition, it is given for physical injury - and tradition is extremely important in the military.





The more we know about PTSD, the more out-of-date that tradition may seem. Consider that the purple heart has been awarded in the past for a simple cut acquired in harms way, while others who have been debilitated for the rest of their lives, unable to work, would not have been considered candidates. Who made the greater sacrafice for his country?





Welcome to my watch list.
Reply:Sure a lot on Non Combatants shooting their


mouths off about something they know nothing about...





PTSD is caused by enemy contact...a lot of enemy


contact....to much enemy contact...





I will tell you what over 100 Combat Veterans with


Acute PTSD said...What are you Nuts ???


(That was the nicest thing they said...)





Its bad enough that they don't issue PH for any


internal injures that occur in Combat...broken Backs,


necks.,limbs, TBI, etc...If NO Blood NO PH !!!!





Again have to agree with Ollie...
Reply:I would have to say no as I think it demeans what it stands for and those that have already been awarded that medal for their injuries. Do I think it is something that the military and VA should address, treat, and deal with otherwise? Absolutely!
Reply:No. PTSD is not caused by the enemy and is not a physical injury. Therefore, by definition, is not eligible for the purple heart.
Reply:No, and I have one, but I don't even wear it. It is more of an enemy marksmanship badge, but again, no, PTSD is bad, but the purple heart is reserved for being injured physically by an enemy.
Reply:No.





Purple Heart is for a physical injury caused by enemy contact. PTSD isn't a physical injury, nor is it caused by enemy contact.
Reply:definitely, cuz PTSD is just in another form of health which is devastating to those who sacrifice that for the sake of the country and everything in it.
Reply:It's a good question but no...onece again PTSD is not a physical injury and is not necessarily caused by contact with an enemy force...some people get it just from going over their and thinking about making contact with an enemy force...its in the brain
Reply:Anyone who gets wounded should be eligible.!combat is combat.! service is service...PERIOD.
Reply:No I agree with the others that its for physical injuries only.
Reply:No. And the Purple Heart is actually an Enemy Marksman Ship badge.
Reply:lol Lord no.. a medal for cowardice?
Reply:No, not in all cases.
Reply:No