ranks.../RIP should go to the commander he shot. His dying was a chicken's way out of a moral situation of being discharged unhonorably for theft. Shame on him.

Patricia,

I think he was talking about the commander.

RIP to both. Both being Veterans of each war I think there were some deeper psychological issues. It wasn't a simple case of bad morals or choices. As always, both gave their lives to this country, regardless of actions I respect their service.

At least the shooter died.

well maybe its time we start taking care of our own..somebody please exsplain to america what the hell we are still in afganastan for..it's not for freedom..follow the money america because some one is getting rich off of our soilders.untill you have worn the uniform for our country do not pass judgement.it took our leaders ten years before the agreed that 1991 iraq vets came home with problems from exposer to the crap they made us take as preventive measures..lets @!$%# up some good americans by sending them to a country that is bred to hate americans.......do your home work america...stop listening to the liars or politicains you call them.as a combat vet you cant imagen what goes through a mind that has taken lives for this country..today in america it would be hard pressed to find anyone between the age of 18 to 24 that has his or her @!$%# togetherso grow up fast and hope your leaders dont get you killed..how about this bit of wisdom ...just love us the fighting soilder as much as we love our country...dont think it can be done cause how many have put everthing on the line sacraficed everything homes'wifes 'children to come home in a box.....end of story....just wake up everyday knowing today could be the end of everything you love and know..you cant tweet from heaven or hell people..my heart goes to all in uniform not just the inocent.once that uniform goes on you your thoughts dont matter any more just your orders....but who judges those who make the orders you are sworn to uphold at all cost.

I think there is much more to the status of the soldier than just being upset about getting court-martialed for stealing a tool set. This guy likely had mental issues directly related to his war-time experiences. I do not know that for a fact as the story does not give details but I would bet he suffered from PTSD or other battle related mental issues. A healthy person does not blow away a man of authority and then kill himself simply for stealing a tool kit. He may have been court-martial ed but may have been able to remain in the marines and not necessarily have any jail time. A Court Martial is the trial portion of the charges. It does not mean you are discharged automatically. I feel for the Colonel and his family and hope they pull through this.

Why is PTSD blamed for everything? The guy was a thief and got caught.

Hey HangThisBietch, you are an idiot. Did you even know this Elder guy, how do you know anything about him? I could care less if he had a TBI, MI, TIA, or any other stupid acronym anyone wants to throw out there to justify a truly cowardly act. I knew the victim. Did you know the perpetrator?

James, sorry for the loss of your friend.

James I think you're on the wrong post

May both soldiers Rest In Peace. They both served us. Until you have walked in the shooter's mocasins don't judge.

LL

Don't judge??? Tell that to the family of the man he murdered.

Spc. Elder had punched a woman in the face at a bar and was charged with assault and battery as well. Anger management, maturity issues, lack of morals plagued this guy.

Being charged is not the same as being found guilty. If something is under your control and it comes up missing, many times it is a statement of charges only. If the tools were for weapons then charges possibly could be filed. If he was not guilty and felt doomed, he may have decided to give them a reason to find him guilty of something everybody witnessed. I am not going to judge him for anything. That will be up to our maker.

I wonder whether some of you who support this killer will do so the next time a civilian opens fire on someone? Being a soldier does not give anyone a free pass to kill anyone outside of a war zone. That should be obvious, but apparently it is not obvious to some of the soldier-worshiping nationalists in this forum. Whatever happened to genuine honor in this country?

Better a Nationalist than a Commie baiter like yourself.If he had a TBI is sad enough,but you will have to come up with a better excuse for murder...:o)

Clearly Shandril was not making any excuses for murder, but was taking those who do make such excuses to task.

chrubble,

Don't be so quick to call him a thief. An accusation is not a conviction and false accusations occur in the Army the same as in the civilian world. Unfortunately, in the military they can also start punishing you before you ever are convicted of anything. If someone's career gets shot to hell because of a false accusation you can count on the fact that the victim of the accusation isn't going to be pleased with the accuser.

I'll let you in on a secret- while American soldiers are brave when it comes to battle, they are absolute cowards when it comes to standing up against authority. Get accused of something in the military and all of someones so-called "brothers who would stick by you thru thick and thin" will deny you quicker than Saint Pete blew off Jesus. But that is just the beginning- the accused will also be removed from any position of authority they have worked for and earned before even being convicted of a thing.

Of course, I have no idea if SP/4 Ricky Elder was guilty or not of stealing that tool kit. What he demonstrated to everybody was that he took the accusation seriously and to heart, and on some level blamed his victim for his troubles. Or maybe he just wanted to go out in a blaze. Truth is, nobody knows right now Just don't be so quick to call him a thief right now. Murderer, yes. Thief? Undetermined by fact, but now convicted in the press.

I am mildly shocked that so many sympathize with this murderer. I am a former soldier and I have nothing but contempt for this murderer who betrayed and killed his fellow soldiers/brothers in arms. May justice find it's way swiftly to him

When this story broke and the shooter wasn't expected to survie I said " Shoot him again and save some money". Well he's finally dead but at what cost? Next time you people should listen to me. I could have saved a bundle on medical costs!

Supporting a killer? The military takes young menjust barely of legal adult age and trains trains them to be killers. Then when these young men are unable to cope with the effects that ravaged them (PTSD, etc) the military acts as if nothing is wrong. The military tells them to seek help but "punishes" them for seeking the help they need. And then when something like this happens the military suggests that the young men were unstable all the while ignoring they induced the problem.

Sadly, I think this story can be taken and more generalized to look at society at large. I don't frankly feel fully safe and secure any longer. There are too many disturbed and angry people who suddenly snap and take someone else(s) life. I've had moments where I have thought twice before stopping into a 7/11 at night etc and I pity those who work behind cash registers in fear. Our home sadly has a burgler alarm and luckily its only been my own family that has accidentally triggered it. Thats a clue that we don't feel even fully safe in our own home and we live in a so called "good neighborhood". The people who suddenly go off range beyond soldiers to high school kids up to senior citizens. I'm not what the solution is. May all victims of sudden unprovoked violence rest in peace.

He killed because of a $1,700 item, let him rot in hell.

I meant to type I'm not s-u-r-e what the solution is not, "I'm not what the solution is" :-) post editing time edit.

RIP to both. Both being Veterans of each war I think there were some deeper psychological issues. It wasn't a simple case of bad morals or choices. As always, both gave their lives to this country, regardless of actions I respect their service.

Just because you are deployed to war doesn't give you the right to come back and murder people because you made bad choices.

Merlin, I am going to guess you were never in the military, or if you were, it was more than 20 years ago. You, certainly, don't have a clue as to where the military stand concerning mental health care.

Thinker, perhaps you need to expand your thinking out to include a little factual research. This is no longer the 60s or 70s. There have been and continue to be huge changes in the way the military deals with mental health care. Considering what we have learned about PTSD over the last 40 years, the military is about the only organization that does any testing or treatment for the disorder. It appears PTSD can result from something as common car accident or even observing a violent action, even at a distance.

I agree to a point. The upside to the Ft Hood shooter surviving is that he gets to think about his actions for the rest of his life living as a paraplegic. Makes one wonder if allah and the hordes of virgins are going to accept him in his handicapped state.

the thinker- they're going after the death penalty for Hasan, though I'm one of the few here at Ft Hood that would prefer he got life just for the reason you stated, so that he can live pissing and crapping himself with no virgins for the rest of his life in a little bitty cell.

I don't have a problem with the death penalty for him. The problem is that the military is even more of a wimp in exercising that option - from trying it as a capital case, to seeking a death sentence, to convicting on a death sentence, to executing the convict.

But if they don't convict on a death sentence, he should be given no special favours or special protections. Put him in GP.

The problem they're having now is the @!$%#r grew a beard that isn't regulation and the Judge won't move forward until he does, I would hold him down and shave it for him, I mean what's he going to do? run away?

don't you dare look down on America's service men and women because of a few a-holes

Civilians who sign a contract to do as they are told- even if the acts are immoral- by Big Gov't thereby placing themselves under military law for a set time in exchange for benefits, money, healthcare, housing, etc. Nothing more.

Seems like the military is primarily white, all american males from smaller towns. Meanwhile Mexicans are given citizenship for signing up and consider the whites trash

Really? Never heard that. Where'd you hear that from? The barrio?

I have seen a lot of blacks and Mexicans in the military. I will wait until all the facts are in. The story had changed so many times with Pat Tillman, I don't trust what is being reported right now.

@Long Arm
"Seems like the military is primarily white, all american males from smaller towns. Meanwhile Mexicans are given citizenship for signing up and consider the whites trash"

Where do you get your statistics?

Don't trust this story. Elder gave up his brain and his sanity and the army (particularly this BC who Elder had worked directly with) stabbed him in the back. You notice nobody except that piece of @!$%# BC was targeted. Elder's life was effectively over. Dementia, a dishonorable discharge over some tools and no medical benefits after having served honorably before his brain and command betrayed him.

Shandril,

Actually that is a pretty demeaning viewpoint on your behalf. As a matter of fact, today's military volunteers are more likely to have a college degree than their civilian counterparts. Many are patriotic, selfless, and have a desire to contribute to something bigger than themselves. When I came in over 19 years ago, I quit a job making $27K as an 18 year old to enlist and make only $10K, so I certainly didn't do it for the money. Not everyone is a soldier and is asked to fight. Perhaps if you look at the corrupt politicians that sent them there in the first place, your anger and jealousy would be better placed there.

Living a life that is honorable and selfless is what entitles one to respect, not necessarily serving in the military and from the sound of your rants you have none of the qualities I listed previously. Rather than throw stones, perhaps you can set aside your stereotypes and try empathizing with the difficulties that come with service to our nation. The armed forces are merely a cross section of our society and with that comes the mix of good and bad. I came in with no college and now will have a Masters degree after 20 years, so the opportunities are there for those who wish to serve and benefit from that service. I'd love to see your statistics that backup your charge of GEDs, criminal records, and non-employ-ability, as that would be rather amusing to see the results.

Shandril:

I served in OIF 3 (al Taji) and the MAJORITY of the junior enlisted in both my platoon and the two companies I primarily worked with were either enrolled in college or a trade school and thus receiving tuition benefits. I myself am a Graduate Student in US history who graduated cum laude.

The companies I worked with represented many different ethnic groups and various income levels. Your stereotype of the poor, ignorant losers wanting to enlist in the Armed Forces merely in order to kill is intentionally inaccurate at best, defamatory more than likely and certainly cowardly as you hide behind a socialist/progressive talking point with no actual experience or data to support yourself.

Shandril,

Where and when did you serve to make such statements about our volunteer military? "Could not land a job outside a fast food restaurant"? Modern soldiers are as much technicians as soldiers. Can you strip and reassemble a M-16 blindfolded or in the dark? Can you perform battlefield first aid on a sucking chest wound? How about march 20 miles with gear, weapon and ammo? Can you recon an enemy position and bring back the info needed to make an attack? Can you make your way thru a minefield using a stick or a bayonet? Can YOU remove those landmines and take them apart? How about plan and execute an ambush or participate in a straight-up battle and come out the winner- even against superior forces? Can you pick up a radio from a dead man and use it to call in support without getting yourself and your unit killed by accident?

Your first paragraph reeks of ignorant arrogance and self-righteousness- the same kind spouted back in the 1960's when the hippies were saying the exact same things about draftees and not volunteers. I usually disregard such people because they wouldn't know honor, duty or self sacrifice if it kicked them in the ass and said hello. They've been too busy looking down their noses at those who are, in fact, their betters, simply because they were able to continue their education. The reality of living those words/concepts is often much different from knowing them only as words or concepts. You OWE the all voluntary military forces of this Nation an apology for your first paragraph slurs. If you don't, then I say to you that YOU have no honor.

Hey Chris/Scott and Merlin. Twist the truth much? Everything Shandril just posted was pretty close to true. First of all she said MOST not ALL. and she clearly meant newly enlisted soldiers.. people that have just signed up. Its not a stretch to say that 18 year olds have no job prospects.. because most of them dont. Chris you say todays military are more likely to have a degree than the general population? A useless degree? what an associates? and Merlin the fact of the matter is it doesnt matter if your a "military technician" if you cant find a job when your discharged. THE FACT is that the unemployment rate for ex soldiers is higher than it is for the general population. Explain that? Maybe because stripping an m-16 wont help you in real life unless the state and local governments are hiring swat.. and we all know that neither the state nor local governments are hiring right now. Its also a fact that many people (not most or all) join the military because they think that they wont be successful in college or because they dont have the money for college. Its also interesting that the military uses video games to recruit to much success.. the video game "americas army operations" was enough to recruit a friend of mine who was subsequently killed. Soldiering is not like "Call for Duty" or "battlefield" because you can kill or be killed.. but like Shandril said.. you guys are lying if you dont believe some new enlisted folks enlisted because they want to kill like its a sport or a video game.

My 5 sibling and myself have all served in the Military. Two Air Faorce, one Marine and 3 Army. We're all high school graduates and have all received our college degrees. None of us have ever been in any trouble with the law. Never killed anyone and all had jobs before joining the military. Your type of attitude is what make the people that have giving their lives and the ones that are still in the military proud of what we have done. Before you make a comment about what the member of the military. Try walking in our shoes.

Ummm...hmm. True perhaps in your own mind, based on a huge sample base...indicative of the much superior critical thinking skills than what would exist in that of the ignorant, uneducated soldier I suppose. I guess I'm going to have to turn that question right around on you Ian.

In coming to your conclusion you either: A) have no idea what I meant by junior enlisted, B)actually read so little of my comment that you didn't catch that point, or C) are an ideologue with no interest in the truth.

Junior enlisted means just that, someone lower than an E-5 paygrade and thus a fairly new enlistee. Some E-5s could actually fall into that category. I had college credit hours upon enlistment and thus was promoted to Sgt within a year.

Once again, I will clearly state that a majority of the junior enlisted within the two companies I worked with (at least 50% maybe as high as 60%) were either enrolled in college classes, as myself, or junior college/trade school type classes.

Although the employment levels for returning vets is indeed far higher than the national average, your demeaning take on the causes leaves much to be desired in analysis. In fact I see NO analysis in your words, merely the same type of talking points that Shandril was engaged in. My MOS was group-level logistics and I actually did more work in both entry and mid-management level there than I did as lower level management at UPS where I was employed just prior to deployment to Iraq. In fact I see NO analysis in your words, merely the same type of talking points that Shandril was engaged in.

You've demonstrated a clear lack of integrity or honesty, something I saw on a daily basis by the soldiers I served with in Iraq on a daily basis. I'm thinking that your words might thus be evidence of a certain level of envy of that sacrifice, integrity and honesty.

Ian, there is no need for me to "twist" the truth as it is what it is. Shandril and you seem to have a pretty narrow view of what military members do on a daily basis. We don't all wage war in the streets of Iraq & Afghanistan, nor do we all sit around playing video games and beating our significant others in our spare time. The fact that you want to assume such things means that you have no concept of what others do or have done to preserve our way of life in the US. Do we have bad apples? Of course. Do we suffer atrocities from within? Unfortunately, like in this case, we do. But at the end of the day are you in all your glory and wisdom willing to enlist and show us the error of our ways? Will you somehow instruct us on how misguided and wrong we all are? I think not. I happen to think that all you will do is sit back on your computer and sputter ridiculous notions of knowledge from your grand pedestal while many of us continue to work and sacrifice for what we deem is the good of the nation and her citizens.

The current economic conditions have produced graduates from well known Universities that couldn't find jobs on the outside and they chose to enlist for the stability in order to pay off the ridiculous debt accrued as a result of a greedy and corrupt college tuition system. Many newer service members have enlisted as an alternative to sitting on their ass collecting unemployment to gain a trade, become useful and ultimately contribute to something other than themselves. Would you prefer they stay at home, collect unemployment & welfare all the while having to listen to people like you proselytize about how worthless they are? Make up your mind guy, do you want people who are willing to work for a living or deadbeats lounging around in their PJ's until 2 p.m.? You can't have it both ways and you certainly can't preach how much you know about the military if you have never served. Your friend's sacrifice is sad and regrettable, but it speaks volumes about how some of our citizens are willing to sacrifice while others are not. Grow up and realize that just because you think you know it all does not make it so.

Among the approximately 800,000 military veterans now attending U.S. colleges, an estimated 88 percent drop out of school during their first year and only 3 percent graduate, according a report forwarded by the University of Colorado Denver, citing the analysis by U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education and Labor and Pensions.

FACTs??

Wow Ian that's quite the statistic glad to see my husband will be part of the 3% as of 17 July.

UPS is a career? bullshyte. and I say again.. shandril didnt say ALL,, and I didnt even say MOST. So when i say many (which could be hundreds or thousands or tens of thousands) you know im not wrong. Do you guys understand the difference? You telling me there arent hundreds of KIDS that join the military thinking its going to be easier than it is.. or even fun? Recruiters misrepresent the seriousness of joining and often times soldiers dont even know what the mission is going to be. In the case of my friend.. he joined mostly because he wanted the camradery that he saw in military movies. I ask you this.. why did the US Army team up with the developers of a first person shooter video game? Cause its good marketing. Thats why.

Oh ya thats the way to deal with facts. Deny. Fitz. To be fair many civilian's drop out of college as well but the rate is higher in the military.

Interesting that you want Ron Paul to fix America (your avatar).. he wants us out of the middle east you know? HA.

Right...

facts Ian. Your dodging the point initially made by you and conveniently sidestepping now. The argument made by Shandril and supported by you is that:

"This is what happens when you have an all-volunteer military that consists largely of people who barely got their GED, could not land a job outside a fast-food restaurant, have a juvenile record of serious crimes, and decided that killing people for a living would be a fun and exciting career.

Secondly you are cutting and pasting...nice and indicative of a distinct academic laziness yourself which showed no critical thinking ability and, once again, merely a proclivity towards an ideological bias. Did you look at the stats for some deeper information or merely cut and paste from the other msnbc article currently up? If you had used a little of that critical thinking so touted as part of a liberal arts education you may have asked: What time frame was this report drawing its data from? What are the drop-out rates for non-veteran enrolled students (conveniently no statistics are cited for this). Also, based on points made in the article about the gap in time from graduation from high school to finishing an enlistment it seems to be exclusively discussing active duty soldiers. Based on the incomplete nature of the information used, how can one draw ANY fair conclusions?

Apparently your college background(if you yourself indeed have one) is not in social sciences...at least I hope to God it isn't with as poor of a sample of research as you've indicated in your 'FACTs'. Cherry picking incomplete findings of one bit of Analysis is pretty weak. Try again once you've actually done a little work.

Yes Ian you most certainly ARE wrong.

I've personally served in 4 different companies (3 logistic and one transportation) while enlisted. I know that is an extremely small sample but its approximately 800 times larger than the one you offered and not a single one of them that I knew of commented at ANY time in regards to some bloodlust and desire to kill. That's not to say that those individuals do not exist but then again they ALSO seem to exist in the general population.

Wow... and deprecating the work I did at UPS. Nice. Once again did you read the entire post? Granted, it was a low management position but at any time I was responsible for about two dozen employees and could only have that position as a college student in good standing and would not have moved up at all without the degree. Do you have any idea what kind of income someone employed full time as a driver or in management makes there? It hardly qualifies as the 'fast food restaurant' that Shandril and you seem to indicate is the only thing most vets are qualified to do.

What's really interesting is the idea...apparently accepted uncritically by those like yourself that a college education is necessary in the first place for a well paying career.

UPS, as cited earlier by myself (and mocked by you for some inconceivable reason) is a fantastic example. Had I decided to wait for a driving route in the hub I was working for, rather than go into management, I could have had a job making anywhere from $50-70K. Certainly, that's not a wealthy person's income but nearly twice the income made by most teachers starting out just about anywhere in this country.

Keep trying there fella. Eventually you may very well learn how to effectively craft an argument and maybe even debate it.

Wow...I just read your totally inane and juvenile response to 1sgfitzwife4ID.

Ha???

You really just responded with a HA???

Are you about 15 because I certainly can't understand that as a response from anyone much older than that.

Never mind the debate because your inability to recognize that ONE study or piece of analysis is not tantamount to fact is almost laughable and your admission of civilian drop-out rates but claiming them to be lower-also with no data is unbelievably weak. It may be indicative of an issue and MAY lead to further research but one bit of analysis is most definitely NOT facts. If you did have any background in social science you would have known better than to make that claim.

Your comments disparaging the American military member are completely off base. Yes, there are SOME bad apples, but the number is quite low. Want a statistic? How about this? If you compare newly enlisted military members with newly accepted college applicants (their age demographic counterparts) the crime and drug use figures are lower for military members.

Secondly, when you include all traditional American universities and colleges (including state schools and community colleges) its is more difficult to be accepted into the military than into college.

As for expecting the military to be revered as the best of society, that reverence is misunderstood. The idea is not that the militayr member is somehow a better person than a civilian. Just the opposite. The idea is that the military member is just a regular person just like everybody else, but that in the interests of serving his fellow country, that average person stepped out of their life and comfort zone to contribute to society. Its about the fact that an ordinary person chooses to make an extraordinary sacrifice and life choice in support of their country.

Perspective:

thank you. That was well put-particularly your perspective on the choice to join the US Armed Forces. You hit it on the head. Unfortunately too many here project their disrespect of the US onto those who serve in the various branches of the military.

After the last exchange I had I'm done with that argument...for today anyway.

Once again nicely written.

Ian-1884691

Interesting that you want Ron Paul to fix America (your avatar).. he wants us out of the middle east you know? HA.

And because I happen to be married to the military (I'm also a military Brat and sister) I should think that's wrong? You do realize we don't like going to war and multiple deployments as much as you think right? You're welcome, because of people like us you don't get drafted. See the true 1% are only 3% of college graduates, I'm okay with that because that number is still bigger than the civilians (hopefully you can do math)

So on that note I think I'll take my college educated ass and my brand new Weimaraner puppy out for a walk.

Scotlee09- thank you.

Well first of your lying scott. I know about UPS. I know UPS supervisors (more than one) with zero college degrees. I grew up with a UPS supervisor. Eventually UPS encouraged this supervisor to get an associates after he had been a supervisor for many years. Lie much. On top of that an associates is a bullshyte degree.

Why cant i cut and paste. You expect me to gather the stats myself.

You havent responded to one single thing ive said scott. Why dont you comment on the video game.. or the fact that I used the language some, and many,.,, instead of all or most.. you gonna address that?? I guess not. When i say some.. i cant be argued against. Ill clarify what i meant by some for you though... (thousands). Which is too many.

And as far as my degree .. my degree is in biology.. liberal arts my ass.. wrong again.

Bring back the draft please fitz wife.. and by all means folks continue to not address anything i actually say.

don't you dare look down on America's service men and women because of a few a-holes

Dude you're saying this with no effect what so ever. Who was it who said "It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch."? Some people don't know or are to stupid to tell one from the other so they judge the entire group.

Elder was an Iraq veteran too. Read the article.

and? Elder's legacy is now murderer, nothing else, he lost veteran status when he pulled the trigger, ask any vet.

Air Force Vet

Not sure what bone you are picking- the article lists Elder's tour history. It's not a eulogy.

The BC is probably a douche. You're not going to hear from any of the troops in the battalion i'd wager. Elder laid his health on the line to serve the guy and got stabbed in the back. Rot in pieces BC.

The BC is probably a douche. You're not going to hear from any of the troops in the battalion i'd wager. Elder laid his health on the line to serve the guy and got stabbed in the back. Rot in pieces BC.

Any bad experiences with battalian commanders? Did you know the BC? If not then you have no reason to judge...

Oh.... so it's completely A-ok to steal a $1700 tool box from the motor pool cause you're Battalion commander is a "Douche"...

@!$%# rolls down hill you know... I'm sure he got in trouble for the tool box that went missing as well as everyone who's MOS Happens to be in the motorpool...

I don't see it fair or acceptable to steal tool box from your co-workers. Elder got what he deserved, his battalion commander did NOT.

Tell me a situation where it's acceptable to steal $1700 of tools from work and you don't get any reprimand..

Hang sounds like a total loser like this Elder guy. Probably did eight years like Elder and never made it past E-4 either. I imagine hang is a loser in the civilian world too and still blames others for his failures..

No it isn't, these are rare situations and aren't common, know before you speak,,,oops, your speaking for Romney, now we know what flows from your mouth.

Air Force Vet

The mega-wealthy use American flaggism to dupe the mentally uncurious and the white lower classes. Unfortunately, it works quite well even in the age of easy information.

What kept President Obama, from serving?

Didn't see the need to in peace time the same 97% of all draft age Americans I guess- you'd have to ask the President that one. Unlike Cheney, Romney, Clinton, and Gingrich who all received wartime deferments- Cheney had the most- 7 wasn't it?

How many years did your personal lover 0bama serve? Oh thats right NONE.

shamrock66646-What kept President Obama, from serving?

He couldn't fit a Kevlar helmet over his Taqiyah (Muslim cap).

shamrock66646-What kept President Obama, from serving?

jimreaper He couldn't fit a Kevlar helmet over his Taqiyah (Muslim cap).

But he sure could put seal team 6 up Bin Laden's ass..

And Obama Does not have a clue either as he has never served any branch of the uniformed service. It should be mandated that if you want to run this country then you should have at least served in some branch for at least four years. Just my thought.

Busdriver you share my opinion. Either serve or prove that you can get things done. Two things no president will ever mix though.

Busdriver and Judge I agree OR CINC should be a military position not given to the President.

He was on the BC's PSD in Afghan while he was serving with a diagnosed TBI that when he got back stateside tests showed had become full blown dementia.

Hang, where are you getting all of this so called info that you are spouting?? Just curious.,

Suspect HangThisBietch has never heard of HIPAA...If HangThisBietch serves in the health sector that serviced any part of the enlisted soldier's medical records, he should NOT be disclosing his medical history. If not, then he is spewing bull@!$%# like a lot of other folks...

Or perhaps, if HangThisBietch has said pertinent information to support the investigation, HangThisBietch should contact CID and provide said evidence...Otherwise it is just that: Bull@!$%#.

He got it from Elder's facebook page, where Elder posted it himself before this tragedy happened. It has a document straight from the Army. So therefore, HIPAA doesn't come in affect. It also has how in a document that in 2007 that he was already showing signs of PTSD.

Although Elder had no right to take one's life, it shows that the government did nothing for Elder to help with neither the PTSD he was dealing with nor the dementia that he tested positive for. We really need to take better care of our soldiers when they are in the Army and when they get out.

where did you get this info'?

HangThisBietch, if you have pertinent information to support the investigation, you should contact CID and provide said evidence...Otherwise you are spewing Bull@!$%# trying to sway other viewers to support your conclusions...

That quote was straight off Elder's Facebook page. Also he had a medical document on his page. It stated that in 2007 while in Iraq he got hit by a road side bomb. He got ejected from the humvee, in which his fellow soldier/friend died. He asked to see the fallen soldier and they let him. He immediately collapsed and started crying. And said that it wasn't real. Later on the document it states that he is showing signs of PTSD. Instead of getting Elder help for PTSD they kept him on the battlefield and later sent him back in another tour, and just let the PTSD get worse, and then later tested positive for dementia.
I'm not saying what he did was right in killing another person; no one should ever take a life of someone else. However, I am saying that the government failed Elder, by not helping him when he needed it the most. We as Americans need to demand that our soldiers are getting the right care that they deserve. You will never know what goes on in the battlefield unless you experienced yourself and not everyone has the same story. So prayers go out to BOTH families!!

Just got back to this page. Okay, to quote Jack Nicholson in the movie, A Few Good Men:
"Don't I feel like the @!$%#ing @!$%#?"

I have served my country and have seen and did my fair share of @!$%#. I have never had an IED explode in close proximity of my vehicle, I have never had TBI. I cannot condone his actions EVEN if he had dementia.

But I can say however traumatic his experiences are and following the loss of the Batt CO, if you all believe that the military can and should be doing more, then you all need to write to your Congressmen and tell them to make this happen! Whether it be better personal armor, better protection on the vehicles, improved scanners to detect IEDs that are placed on the roads, increased surveillance of the minimum risk routes that our men and women in uniform take while riding in MRAPs and HUMVEEs. Then get them to do more for the medical teams so they are not just doing assessments and telling them to pop some ibuprofen and you will be fine. Finally, after they get home, the VA needs more support to serve our troops that come home and want a new life after the military to include psychological support. Demand it and continue to demand it until things change. And if they don't make a change, vote their asses out.

Yes, I experienced the battlefield for myself, I did my time in the barrel and it is not pleasant. Feel free to look at some of my previous posts last month to see what I am talking about. You might find it as recurring theme of "No military member wants war."

There were 2 victims. The BC and the other soldier who was wounded.

As the wife and mother of active service military, I commend all those who serve our country.

He was diagnosed with dementia, fine. THAT is reason for killing? I don't think so.

Sounds like this soldier couldn't handle the stress of military life.

The story of him punching a woman in the face is while in confrontation with another man this woman was running at him from behind with a metal object in her hand. Not knowing it was a woman he just turned and punched her it was a split second reaction that if he had known it was her he wouldn't have hit her. He could of got off the charges, but he realized it was wrong and he was going to pay his due for the situation. That's the person he was.

An American man won't hit a LADY. Big difference there Pats617!!!!

"He could of got off the charges, but he realized it was wrong and he was going to pay his due for the situation. That's the person he was."

Wow. What a nice guy. (More sarcasm. This guy killed his commander)

You are in error there. "Liberals" are the ones who stopped that practice of the conservative element. Liberals are the ones who finally stood up for the women.

Greg, the military justice system will try Maj. Hassan, not Holder. That is how it works. And yes he will be tried and found guilty and probably executed.

Don't count on it too soon, there Greg 61856, and Verno. Holder is sympathetic to the Muslims just like the non-military prez sitting currently. I don't think we will ever hear or see, for that matter, the bast.......d getting his just dues for the people he killed at Ft. Hood. Hopefully he will rot in that wheel chair.

BO never did military duty, but you have to give him credit, he was handed the Nobel Peace Prize -- and for what? He didn't do duty due to the fact that he was not a citizen and if he was, refused to verify. His drug use during his socalled high school/college time -- he would never have qualified anyway.

My nephew was in the Navy, excelled and gained rank very quickly. Was a 27 yr old Weapons Instructor in Chicago and had been recuited by several SP OPs in and out side of the Navy. However, they did set him up and thoroughly expected him to die- destroying his personal property and medical records from the ship. When he didn't die, and they had to rehab him nearly 2 years, they forced him back to the ship, refused him his due promotions, and harrassed him to the point of "retiring" after 14-1/2 yrs. Now they've claimed the schooling he took, they paid too much, so they penalized him for that by not allowing him to finish his degree. They have denied him his veteran benefits and not covered his active duty illness, or his VA benefits. Go figure.

I am in a military family, and I have found this to be very disgusting treatment of the personnel they put in harms way.

So Freedom murder is ok with you as long as it fits your political agenda? That shows how truly screwed up liberals really are. This clown Elder claims he was losing his benefits and right away you take his side after he murders a decorated soldier. Let me guess you are all for building the Ground Zero mosque, voted for Obama, think Obamacare is great, the Fast & Furious is a GOP witch hunt and Pelosi had it right when she said you have to pass it to find out what's in it. Yep, liberals are awfully predictable. I'd also guess you have some college but no degree and never served in the military.

You are correect about the justice system failing though.....especially under Eric Holder.

Although I do not agree with Elder's approach to the situation. I agree with you. Yes, Elder felt like he had no where to turn. He was getting screwed over by the Army; in which he gave 8 years of his life to. Got hit by a road side bomb and saw a friend/soldier die. Had symptoms of PTSD clear back in '07, and now tested positive for dementia. The whole story, and both sides should be published.

They weren't anymore mentally tough. The name "PTSD" didn't pop up until after vietnam. Before then it was something to be ashamed of. That it made you look weak.

My Grandfather fought in both wars you mentioned. Before he passed away I remember him waking up in the middle of the night screaming bloody murder. And he never went to sleep without a pistol by his bedside. He just couldn't sleep without a gun around. Kind of a safety blanket to him I guess.

The one time he ever talked about it with me, he recalled the first Japanese soldier he ever killed. Just a boy. No older that 15, maybe 16 years old. He said that feeling of guilt never went away and that he saw that boy every night in his dreams.