no u in military ;)

PSTD as its called now, has always been there, throughout the history of the soldier.Weather diagnosed as such or under another name i.e."shell shock" etc.. Has it always been awarded the purple heart? .Its not that i dont feel for the soldiers who have it, but its not the medal for it.This is just my oppinion,based only apon thought and feeling.

[edit] Awarding the medal
Per United States Army regulations, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died after being wounded. Specific examples of services which warrant the Purple Heart include:

1. In any action against an enemy of the United States.
2. In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.
3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
4. As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.
5. As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force
6. After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.
7. After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria. A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an oak leaf cluster is awarded. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant.

A "wound" is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record. When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.

Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
(b) Injury caused by enemy placed land mine, naval mine, or trap.
(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.
(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.
5. Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.
(b) Heat stroke.
(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.
(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.
(e) Battle fatigue.
(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.
(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.
(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.
(i) Post-traumatic stress disorders.
(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.

Interesting, I am suffering from PTSD but I don't really give a flying rat about the purple heart.

If I will get purple heart it will probably increas dgree of my PTSD I am not suffering from what I face but from what my brothers and sisters in the Army faced, nothing will bring them back, I miss them a lot I still can hear their voice and I still can see their faces, I was the only servivor with out any physical injury, from team of seven I lost 5 and one badly injured and went home, I don't want to put my self in situation where I will be addict of sleeping medications, I am having 2 to 3 hours of sleep since the incident, most likely what maintaining the PTSD in me is I am still in the same office where I used to work with my team, I still am doing the same job I used to do with them, I don't really want to show how much I am suffering, I did seek for help but the only help I foundout is pry for my brothers and sisters whom lost their lives day and night, contniue with a mission, I know if any of them had chance of coming back to say a word, they would say" keep your prayers and contniue with a mission"

Purple heart doesn't mean nothing to me I prefer to get my friends alive home, my 2nd option is to get away from this area for about 10 to 15 days and rest, that will help I know.