Defense group mulling Purple Heart for PTSD

[unhappycamper]

Defense group mulling Purple Heart for PTSD
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, May 17, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department Awards Advisory Group is considering awarding the Purple Heart to troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.

Right now, the regulation that outlines the criteria for the Purple Heart lists PTSD as an injury that does not merit the award, along with trench foot, heat stroke and self-inflicted wounds.

The issue came up during Defense Secretary Robert Gates' recent visit to Texas, when a military psychologist at Fort Bliss told reporters that making troops suffering from PTSD eligible for the Purple Heart would help remove the stigma surrounding the disorder.

Asked about the matter afterward at a news conference at Red River Army Depot, Texas, Gates replied: "It's an interesting idea. I think it's clearly something that needs to be looked at."

On Thursday, Morrell said the advisory group was looking into whether PTSD merits the Purple Heart.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54854

[jakem]

1. So they want to remove the stigma, and at the same time, stop diagnosing PTSD to save $$?

:wtf: