Are you a war veteran or do you know a war veteran? If so, do you believe that war changes a person?

Are you a war veteran or do you know a war veteran? If so, do you believe that war changed the person you are or knew, and in what way?

(we have a separate topic to discuss the families of veterans)

My husband was in Vietnam three different times as well as in the Gulf War. I saw no particular changes in him nor in his behavior. Was it there? Possibly in his mind but there was not evidence that everyday life uncovered. He told me once that it was his job and he handled it.

No I am not a war veteran, but believe that any one who goes to war does come home changed. I do not understand how anyone who witnesses the horrors of war will not be changed. My uncle returned from World War 11 a changed person; much more quiet and introspective. He also suffered from reoccurring nightmares, in which he thought he was fighting in battle.

I think that's an interesting point, Reene. There are many ways in which "the job" has changed - for example, technological advances make it easier to stay in touch with loved ones - but there are still some elements that have remained the same for as long as men have gone off to war. I think there's a questions about the author's use of The Illiad; it made me wonder if the men who lived through that war also had nightmares (I imagine they did!).

I am not a veteran nor is my husband .However I had a brother-in-law who was career Army and spent two tours in Viet Nam. The fact he was not in actual battle (he was a supply person)most likely influenced the fact he did not seem to have problems.

I am not but my brother is (Viet Nam)and a close friend's son is (Iraq, Korea]. Both saw combat and horrific things. It has affected both of them.

I worked with active duty and veteran service members and their loved ones from our National Guard & Reserve component for 6 years full time and still do part time work. I also count many among my friends. And yes- without a doubt, serving in a combat zone, having a loved one in a combat zone, most definitely changes a person. They may have their core beliefs challenged, they may see and do things that stay with them when they return. Family members can be challenged by fear of losing someone and by the changes in their person when they return. Even those who are in support positions may suffer from survivor's guilt or secondary trauma. War does not ever leave anyone unchanged in some way.

There are some excellent books written about the experiences of OIF/OEF troops: War by Sebastian Junger; The Good Soldier & Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel.

In response to Miznanner. Here are links to the three recommended books:

https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/4970/war

https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/4214/the-good-soldiers

https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/2947/thank-you-for-your-service

I also recommend our "In time of war/effects of war" category:
https://www.bookbrowse.com/browse/index.cfm/category_number/95/in-time-of-war-the-effects-of-war

I would also highly recommend The Yellow Birds and The Long Walk.

https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/2796/the-yellow-birds

https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/2734/the-long-walk

I am not a war veteran. However, I believe that war changes a person. Veterans see the world in a different way. For some it is life affecting.

I'm not a veteran but know several who went to Viet Nam. Each soldier handles that experience in a different manner but a person can't be in those circumstances without being changed. Some won't even talk about it. I respect their wishes. I don't think it matters what conflict the veteran was in as to the trauma and horrors they saw. I'm thankful for their dedicated service to our country.

My husband and brother are veterans. We have friends that are veterans. War changes a person, whether they acknowledge it or not. Our fathers came back different people. They saw things no one should see. How do you forget that? Somewhere inside you remember. My father-in-law was on Normandy Beach. He never told anyone, not even his wife, what he saw. But that doesn't mean he didn't remember everyday.

Many of the men in my family are veterans. For some, it has profoundly changed them. My grandfather fought in World War II, and NEVER talked about it after. He experienced the most tragedy. I don't know how war could NOT change a person.

Everything I have heard from veterans is that war does change one. Beginning with the Vietnam Nam war and those places in the Middle East where we have deployed soldiers more than one time! PTSD and other problems have been more evident to those of us whose families are not directly affected. Was there PTSD in earlier wars--YES!

I know war veterans. Because people are individuals, who all experience things on different levels, I think war (as with any major life event) impacts each person in a way that is unique to the individual and their life.

I was raised an Army brat but not during a time of war. I have known people that are war veterans, but not well enough to have firsthand knowledge of the impact of war on their lives. With that said, however, I have no doubt that war changes a person and the vast majority of those changes are negative.

I live in a military town with a lot of career Navy veterans and my husband was also a veteran although I did not know him during that time. Since he never saw active duty, I don't think the war and his service had much impact on him. I have, however, known a number of career military veterans personally. I cannot think of even one of them who has changed dramatically, although most of them are now officers. I do know several men who served in Vietnam and one thing all of them have in common is that they do not talk about their wartime experiences.