Panorama - why soldiers go AWOL

[LostandFound]

Did anyone see this program on BBC1 the other night?
Personally, I thought it was interesting to see the different reasons for going AWOL, from the lad who went off the rails after seeing his mate get shot in Iraq, to some of those who ran off because they were getting shouted at in basic.

Just wondering what your thoughts were on it? Has anyone got any experience of going AWOL, or know someone who went AWOL? What do we all think of the psychological help available (or not available) to our troops returning home?



Edited due to nonsense wording

[JCAP3]

The presenter was a complete twat. After what some of those guys had seen, how can he say "or maybe they're just cowards".

[Wholley]

Thats the BBC for you.
I seem to remember back in 1982 their reporters were"Dis-Invited"From a certain Warship.
Their up to their old tricks again now with the"Doom and Gloom"Regarding the kidnapped Sailors and Marines in the Persian Gulf.

[LostandFound]

What about the question near the end where he said to the Iraq vet "do you think maybe in the end you just weren't tough enough?".
If I was that lad, I would have ripped his head off and put his body in the boot. Feckin cheeky bar steward.

[xcj]

For those that missed it:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/programmes/panorama/default.stm


Just click "missed latest programme? watch now". Obviously after the next one airs next week this link won't work for the AWOL episode.

[MattP]

I know someone who went AWOL lost and found. He's from my village. He was in the army (can't remember what regiment) and he hated it but couldn't leave so just ran away. The MP's caught up with him though and he got banged up in Colchester for a bit then had to serve the remainder of his contract which he did.

[jezb]

You never know how you are going to react to some of the stuff you will see in war, and even general military life. Its a big commitment and I think part of the problem is a lot of people go in very young and immature.

I sure as hell know I am a completely different person from when I was 16-18. I had absolutely no interest in the military at that age, but now I have seen a bit more and lived a bit more I am confident I can cope.

Im not saying a 16 yr old cant make a great soldier, but imo a lot of youngsters just aren't mature enough, and dont fully appreciate what they are getting into.

Just my two cents worth.

[ADDiction]

Supposedly a particular soldier notched up two attempted suicides, and was still passed as fit to fight.

If that's true, it's out of order.

[johnnyValencia]

Is the Navy(royal marines) similiar to the army in that aspect or do they care for the individual soldier, because it seems like the army recruits every one and cant possible care for all of them and I know the royal marines are alot smaller so i was just wondering?

[Chas]

Bad publicity for the Micks.
Usual BBC tosh- nuff said.

[dylanredefined]

People go Awol for a number of reasons .After the last gulf war big ho ha about a sapper who went awol couldn't handle what he had done
told stories of bayoneting iraqes in trenches .Turned out to be a pack of lies .
There is help available unfortunatly if someone is cracking up they are hardly going to be able to rationally realise this and ptsd is difficult
to diagnose .Even the lightwieght tour I did in iraq effected me somewhat
and I'm mature .
Had a guy refuse to go to iraq (think his girlfreind didn't want him to go)
kicked him out with minimal fuss had caused enough admin dramas on pre deployment training that some were actually glad when he didnt turn up .
Knew a guy tried to go awol from a ta camp failed (how sad is that)spent the rest of camp in jail and on the final exercise was made to carry
shed load of ammo no weapon of course, was threatned with being on a lead .And the cpl in charge of him threatned to exexcute him if he ran
being on top of dartmoor not a lot of places to run too.Think the cpl was disapointed that he didnt try it though.
Nowadays probably sue over his treatmeant .

[mfat_man]

Knew a guy tried to go awol from a ta camp failed

LOL if he could not escape from the clutches of us pongos there must have been something seriously wrong with him How would he do if he was captured by a real enemy...