Soldier Held in Afghan Massacre Had Brain Injury, Marital Problems

[PavePusher]

40. Before you jump all over people who might actually be entirely innocent....

It is quite common for military personnel to hide injuries and mental/emotional problems for a variety of reasons.

1. Feelings of obligation to fulfill their duties.
2. As a corrollary to item 1, a desire to avoid placing an additional burden on their comrades. ("If I don't do this some other poor bastard is going to have to do it.&quot
3. Wanting to avoid any possibility of being seen as shirking or "slacking". (This can be driven internally by both 1 and 2, and externally by peer pressure or other factors.
4. Promotion/career opportunities.
5. Ignorance (or sometimes, self-denial) of the actual or possible severity of their problems.

Anybody familiar with the military can attest to this. I've probably been guilty of all five at various points of my career.