When I was a second grader, I learned and memorized the Ten Commandments in Sunday school. I did not care about some commandments including the seventh: “You shall not murder.” As a little girl, I believed that I did not have a chance to murder.
My grandmother, who was a Buddhist, taught me not to kill any beings such as animals, insects or even worms. When she walked, she took her steps very carefully so that she would not kill even small insects.
One day I played “hide and seek” in the back yard at my friend’s house. When I hurried to hide, I felt myself step on something. I bent down and found that a small frog was squashed flat. My hair bristled at this dire sight. I took off my shoes right away and did not want to put them on again. I still remember that bad feeling. Even killing the small frog gave me a lot of stress.Seeing the dead frog was very painful to me.
How stressful for the Soldier who kills another human being [enemy] during combat? How painful for the Soldier who sees friends or the enemy dying/hurting during combat? The Soldier may easily develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during and after deployment. Even though the Soldiers return home safely, they may face another fight within themselves.
My unit, the 184th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) consists of eight companies geographically dispersed at three locations. The battalion deploys and supports military and civilian authorities throughout full spectrum operations by identifying, accessing, diagnosing, rendering safe, exploiting and disposing of all explosive ordnance or comparable threats. While deployed, the company’s Soldiers are dispersed. Their mission is unique and very important.
While serving as the 184th EOD chaplain, I helped Soldiers dealing with battle related injuries, thoughts of suicide or survivor’s remorse. Family members are not immune to these thoughts as well.
I hoped to help the Soldiers and their Families to develop resource networks and to have strong support and care in various areas. One of the great needs for them was spiritual support whether they had a religious preference or not. I had an opportunity to provide religious support, counseling and pastoral care regardless of their religious background. On some level, we are all fragile human beings who need love, care and support every day from Family, friends, battle-buddies and especially from God.