My personal opinion on the matter (Military)

Just to make one thing perfectly clear...  I would feel this way even if my son were still alive.  The fact that he was a casualty of this war only intensifies my feelings, I'm sure, but either way, I would still believe in how I feel.  I will also state, to clarify, that I was not as knowledgeable of the effects of war on our troops or exactly what they go through and have to put up with until Chad enlisted.  I had a huge education and quickly about how society (in many places) treat our military.  Specifically I'm speaking of the general public in places that have a large military presence/base.  It was the experience of my son and his brothers in arms that when they would be about town on their off time that people did not respect the military and usually treated them very disrespectfully.  I truly had and still have a real issue with that.  Especially when these young men and women are going to war to fight for the freedom of all (even the rude and disrespectful ones) and doing this on very little pay and under tremendous stress.  Don't get me wrong, I am completely aware that these young men and women volunteered for this job, but I can also tell you (from experience) that they are not given all the details as accurately as you might think to make a decision.  They go in initially for various reasons and convictions to do something with their lives and to make a difference in this world.  I can't speak for all that have enlisted, but I can speak for Chad.  He and I along with Tebo discussed his decision to enlist for three (3) months before he signed his final paper work and we know why he enlisted.  He knew he was not on a path in life that was going to lead him to a better place in life and since college wasn't his thing he felt if he enlisted he could get those skills and potentially have a career in the military and if he changed his mind about that (and he did) he knew it would help set him up to go to college after or help him get into law enforcement.  That's why he enlisted.  We felt it was a very mature decision on his part and not one he took lightly.  He also didn't run out spur of the moment to enlist.  He talked to us and I asked him to give it three (3) months before making his final decision and weigh all his options and talk to different people to make sure he was ready for this commitment.  I reminded him we were in the midst of a war and it would be dangerous.  I say all that to say this, his recruiter didn't sit down and tell him he would make very little pay (although he did explain that the Marine Corps does not give signing bonuses).  He didn't tell him that he would basically get crappy medical care when he had an issue or that getting good dental care would be hard to come by as an enlisted Marine.  He didn't tell him the reality of war and PTSD or that people in the state he was stationed in would treat him like a lower class citizen when he was off duty.  It wouldn't have mattered if he had told him those things, because by the time they pump these kids up and get them excited about doing something so honorable and patriotic nothing negative would have registered.  His recruiter did tell him how hard boot camp would be and how hard it would be, but he even made that look somewhat glamorous.  You might think I'm unhappy with Chad's recruiter or mad that he didn't tell him those things and if you do, you would be incorrect.  I felt like his recruiter was a wonderful man.  He was doing his job and he was doing it very well.  He also went above and beyond (in my opinion) in helping me and Tebo understand what Chad was signing up for.  Yes, he softened things with us as well, but he truly was a help to me when Chad was in boot camp and even SOI (school of infantry) and listened when I had concerns.  I have even attempted several times to reach him since Chad passed away so I could thank him for being a great resource for me when I was scared to death.  So please do not take my statements as negative, it's just the truth.  So before those out there that want to throw the fact that these young people "volunteered" for this job, just remember if they hadn't there would most likely have been a draft and you might have been one that was chosen (against your will) to serve.  Thanks to these young men and women (and I say young only because of their ages, because most are 18-19 years old when they enlist) you were given the right to chose what you wanted to do for a living.
This article attached is in regards to Staff Sgt. Robert Bales and the crime he is accused of in Afghanistan.  Just in case anyone thinks that I condone what SSGT Bales did, I do not.  I will say there is more to his story than you might be aware of and the stress that these troops are under is tremendous.  My personal opinion (based on what little I do know) is that he had no business being deployed again.  I feel for not only his family and the innocent lives that were taken, but I feel for SSGT Bales.  There is evidence that he had previously had a brain injury and potentially had PTSD (how could you not after being deployed so many times and seen the devastation he has seen) and what some may not know, he even lost a portion of his foot.  He had some of his buddies he was serving with get killed during combat.  This young man should have never had to return to combat (again, in my opinion), but he did.  Maybe it was his choice to return, I don't know, but to make a comparison (right or wrong), how is it more important that there be so much discussion and potential government involvement in when an NFL player should or should not return to the game if he has had multiple concussions and yet this young man that had history of these injuries is expected and cleared to return to battle?  Really?  I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation and if he is found guilty of crimes that he shouldn't pay.  He should, but I would plead that before he is condemned that everything be looked at and taken into consideration.  I hate that innocent civilians died at his hands, I really do, and especially the children, but remember, these Afghan civilians have been killed by the Taliban for years and they are paying no price that I can find.  My son was killed by the Taliban!  What happened to them?  Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I do believe this world as a whole needs to be educated on what these troops are going through and what this long term war has done to them.  I'm not against the war.  I believe we did the right thing in defending out own country against terrorism.  I do believe in my heart that it has gone on far too long and we need to get our men and women home.  It is apparent, to me, that when something like this tragedy took place that they don't want us there anyway.  I just think the article attached below is worth reading (it's long) and it might shed a little more light on the situation.  I do believe the actions of not only SSGT Bales, but also the people who "accidentally" burned the Quran on an American base put our troops as a whole in a very vulnerable state and in more danger (if that's possible) over there.  It makes me scared for all our deployed troops over there and it makes my heart ache for them to all return home, but I also know that politics will play a much larger role in whether our men and women return home any time soon over their safety.  I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but I'm entitled to my opinion and that's how I feel.  I say bring them home already!  I truly feel regardless how long we are over there will make no difference in their way of life.  They have always fought and I believe they will continue fighting.  We have to defend our country, yes, but right now I'm having a hard time understanding what good we are doing over there and especially at the cost of all the lives we are losing over there.  Please take the time to read this article.  I promise you will be glad you did, whether you agree with me or not.   Stay safe, troops!  You have people over here that truly do love and respect you and are grateful for your service and sacrifices and you have prayers going up daily.

Many Think Bales Case Reflects a Military Pushed to Limit | Military.com

Chad and his guys in Afghanistan

Chad on the radio in Afghanistan

Chad in Afghanistan