Carmen Cerra’s Nov. 5 cartoon depicting a soldier having fun killing fellow human beings is an example of poor journalism and ignorance.

Mr. Cerra’s cartoon made reference to the pentagon’s recent statement, “Our research and experience show there’s nothing more fun in life than the military.”

This statement referred to the unique and challenging experiences one can have while living in the military, such as parachuting from an aircraft or visiting other countries.

It does not, as Mr. Cerra suggested, refer to the occasional and unfortunate situations where soldiers kill fellow human beings.

A study conducted by Dr. Dave Grossman, a psychology professor at New Mexico State University and former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, shows that 2 percent of the personnel in the armed forces suffer from, “aggressive psychopathic personalities.”

Additionally, 2 percent of the rest of society suffer from the same thing.

In other words, the number of people in the military who DO want to kill people is a direct reflection of the number of people in society who want the same thing.

Mr. Cerra’s cartoon would have us believe that EVERYONE in the military joins simply to kill people because they are monsters.

If they don’t join to kill people, then why do they?

The answer is a very complicated one.

Each and every one of the one million soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines joined for their own reason.

Some joined because of the college benefits.

Some joined because they wanted to provide a secure income for their family.

Some joined because they wanted to challenge themselves in ways that would not be possible in civilian life.

There are over one million reasons why people join.

Mr. Cerra’s attitude reflects society’s attitude toward soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Soldiers were often blamed for starting that crazy war and were sometimes forced to endure verbal and physical abuse upon their return home.

The war itself was no more or less traumatic than previous wars, but the number of soldiers experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional problems is significantly higher in Vietnam veterans than in veterans of other wars.

Dr. Grossman’s study concluded that this was because society refused to accept the soldiers’ terrible plight.

How often in our nation’s history has the Army or any other armed force declared war on another nation? NEVER.

According to the Constitution, war is declared by an act of Congress.

In other words, politicians in Washington declare war when they are too incompetent or too lazy to find a better solution.

The armed forces do not choose when to go to war or even whose side to fight on; they simply go when told.

Some people, especially Mr. Cerra, seem to forget that.

Dr. Grossman’s study can be found in his book, “On Killing: The Psychological Costs of Learning to Kill in War and Society.”

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John McFarland

Senior

History