A secret U.S. offensive against the Islamic State in 2016 and 2017 involved a minimal number of American troops using relentless artillery fire.
Despite the severity of these issues, the military did not appear to take the threat seriously, treating many troops for routine psychiatric disorders or dismissing them for misconduct.
Many troops returned home with severe mental health issues, including nightmares, panic attacks, depression, and hallucinations.
In a secret U.S. offensive against the Islamic State in 2016 and 2017, a minimal number of American troops used relentless artillery fire. This strategy, while effective in the field, resulted in unexpected mental and physical health issues among the troops involved. Many returned home with nightmares, panic attacks, depression, and in some cases, hallucinations. The military struggled to understand the cause, as most troops had not seen direct combat. However, the constant exposure to the blasts appears to have had a significant impact on their mental health.
One of the soldiers affected was a 21-year-old Marine, Javier Ortiz, who was part of an artillery gun crew. Ortiz reports experiencing hallucinations of a dead girl, which he believes is a form of revenge from the enemy fighters his unit killed. This is a clear example of the psychological toll the war has taken on these soldiers, with some returning home feeling 'cursed' and seeing ghosts.
Despite the severity of these issues, the military did not appear to take the threat seriously. Many troops were treated for routine psychiatric disorders or dismissed for misconduct. This lack of understanding and support has left many soldiers struggling to cope with their experiences and the aftermath of their service. The long-term impact of these mental health issues on the soldiers and their families is yet to be fully understood.