Understanding Anger–”Going From 0-60mph” in Afghanistan
Natosha Monroe
There are many examples of things Troops encounter here in Afghanistan that create a 0-60mph conditioned response. This response of “quick to react” may translate into “quick to anger” once back home in the States. Here’s some insight as to why Troops may have a short fuse after deployment:
1) According to one of the Army Chaplains here at Shank, just last night he was awakened to see the father of 3 children who’d been the victim of Taliban violence. He sprang to action and raced to the medical facility to find one small child’s heart in the hands of the Army doctor who was attempting to massage it back to rhythm. The other child had been shot through the back of the head and his eyes were out of their sockets. The little girl was ok, but screaming and crying. The father’s face was blank and he simply nodded his head in resignation as the Chaplain informed him he’d lost a son and may lose another. This is the reality Soldiers and Afghan citizens face daily here in Afghanistan. So what’s startling about a knock on a door or a shake of the foot to wake someone up? For the average person, nothing. But what about that knock on the door or shake on the foot to wake up the Army Chaplain at any time in the night–what might that mean for him?
