Guest Post – Stress Center Shooting

Once again, my good friend, J. Doug Settle, is sharing his thoughts with us. Today, the author of “From Stress to Faith Rest”, give us his insight into the recent shooting where one soldier gunned down five fellow soldiers at a stress center in Baghdad, Iraq. We lift up the men and women who bravely serve to protect our freedoms in prayer. And we pray for the families of those soldiers affected. A special thanks to Doug. Visit his web site to learn more: www.jdougsettle.com.

The details concerning the shooting at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq are still being processed. We can be certain that when all is said and done, when all has been researched and debated, when the professional and media opinions have been amply voiced, the real reasons behind the shooting will remain unexpressed. Granted, the stressors of combat most likely will have had a part to play in what caused the shooter to snap, yet there is a more disturbing reason behind the carnage; a reason that those who determine policy are unwilling to consider let alone accept and do something about.

I remember going through basic training and advanced individual infantry training, coming out of Fort Polk, LA, with a readiness and willingness to kill. We were well trained to do our job and do it efficiently. I was sent to Vietnam where I had an opportunity to express and fine tune my newly learned combat skills. I returned well suited for the job, yet my job duties were no longer required. I returned to the shores of the USA, having laid down my weapons of war, with the encouragement from everyone, “forget your experience and get on with life.” Wishful thinking on their part, but that was never going to happen!

You see, in all the training to kill, not once did anyone teach me how to live. I was never taught the first thing about maintaining one’s morals while successively engaging the enemy on the battlefield. They had not once taught me about the God who is there and who cares about everyone’s life. They had never taught me how to be a good soldier and still maintain one’s faith in God regardless of the circumstances. They had not said one thing about the Sovereignty and Providential care of God when one’s life or a buddy’s life was on the line. They had never once shared about how to apply by faith the spiritual promises, principles and provisions of God’s Word to practical everyday living while engaging the enemy in a hot LZ.

In all the professional training we warriors were provided, the spiritual side, that which we desperately needed to properly harness and utilize the combat skills ethically, remained untaught! Upon returning home, I was like a tank racing down a super highway with a blind man at the controls. As far as I know, the Chaplaincy had to abdicate their shepherding roles, seeking a compromise, to maintain a more general view due to diversity. It was either do that or suffer the consequences. The real answers spiritually were never communicated. The proper Biblical view of man, operating from the inside out, was never mentioned.  The spiritual side must come first for the physical expression to be appropriately demonstrated. Getting the cart before the horse does not work.

It can be argued by some that the moral and spiritual side is never to be the military’s responsibility and that those issues are to be learned at home, during one’s youth. Yes, that should have been the case, but preparing one for combat goes well beyond the benchmark for living life in America!  War includes grown up decisions that need to be made at very critical times while engaging the throes of combat. Training should provide the moral basics so the men going into harms way will have the moral clarity and divine wisdom concerning the job they are being asked to do!

OK, so what do I propose? What could have made a difference at the counseling clinic in Baghdad?

First, how about dropping the political correctness arguments like a hot potato and accept and reestablish the sure footed foundational faith structure that operated in this country at its inception? Contrary to the opinion of some, we were a Christian nation that maintained a Judeo-Christian ethic. It had as its basis the supporting structure of the Ten Commandments; which are recognized by many religions and peoples around the globe as applicable and vital to the life and integrity of any free society. One does not have to be a Christian for these principles to operate.

Second, how about no longer allowing those in opposition to proven moral principles and structures to call the shots? Why must the American people be forced to stand by and watch as the foundation crumbles under their feet? Why allow those without a moral driver’s license to take over at the wheel, thereby determining the direction this country is headed?

Third, how about a return to allowing and requiring men of faith and integrity to truly serve as spiritual shepherds by expressing the foundational spiritual truths to the men they counsel and minister with? Does it really make sense, due to political correctness, to leave the name God out when communicating spiritual truths? Must God continually be referred to as a “higher power” to placate those who do not believe in the one, true God? The minority, through their lawsuits, are forcing the majority to redefine their terms. Someone will be offended, so why not stick with the foundational structure that has made this nation great and let the detractors learn to simply live with it?

Fourth, providing stress centers is a good thing, but refusing to allow books, resource materials and ministers to communicate with those being counseled due to diversity and political correctness arguments, is like telling the patient who has strep throat that he needs antibiotics but being unwilling to provide them.

Doing and providing for the above suggestions would head off many problems down the line.  The impact of PTSD would be tremendously lessened. God stands behind every one of His promises. Failure to heed His rule of life will always cost something; perhaps, just as we have recently witnessed, the lives of six innocent warriors! Are we willing to continue watching our best winning the battles in combat, while being defeated among the many battlefields of life? Back to the basics!