Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with soldiers

Accounts of the Iraq War from soldier's perspective?

PostIronyIsNotaMyth — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:42 -0800

What are some of the most compelling articles you've read about fighting in the Iraq War? Working on a script set in Iraq, trying to gain a feel for the kind of struggles soldiers deal with on a daily basis: road blocks, IEDs, house to house searches... Anything you've read from the POV of these guys that sticks with you and refuses to let go?

Citations or reporting for psychaitric diagnosis in the military?

OmieWise — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:06:47 -0800

I'm looking for citations (including reporting) regarding psychiatric diagnosis in the military over the past several years. Asking for a friend: During some extensive reporting last year on military and veteran health care, NPR reported high rates of diagnosis of personality disorders in the military since the Iraq war began. Because personality disorders might be said to be "pre-existing conditions," the military doesn't extend health care benefits to soldiers so diagnosed. However, there is fairly active debate in mental health circles about whether or not PTSD sometimes presents looking like a personality DO.

Does anyone know of any other sources for this information? Books, newspaper, magazine and journal articles would all be great. Anecdotes would be interesting but wouldn't really contribute to solidifying this as citable information.

(I've already searched PubMed.)

Hup Two Three Four...

BE ADEQUITE — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:59:36 -0800

What are great film examples of the toughest, awesomest soldiers? I'm putting together a film night. From The Dirty Dozen to Starship Troopers, I want to know what iconic, classic, or modern films feature the most badass soldiers. All examples welcome. Explanations as to why, or what to look out for, are also appreciated.

I'm melllllllltiiiiiing...

allkindsoftime — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:42:20 -0800

I want to make one of these bowls instead of buying one. In theory it seems pretty simple to me - all I need is a nice round-shaped wok and a few bags of toy soldiers. I'm thinking it might be rather trial and error, but I don't want to a) get sick from any fumes or b) ruin a wok.

I realize this one might be a stretch but if anyone has some plastics-molding experience they might be able to impart, I would appreciate it...

Were in London would I be able to see a bearskin-wearing wearing foodguard of the Household Cavalry?

barbelith — Mon, 14 May 2007 07:14:41 -0800

Where in London would I be able to see—and get a decent photograph of—a bearskin wearing footguard of the Household Cavalry? I need to take a picture of a soldier wearing one of the traditional British uniforms and a bearskin hat. There's an example of what they look like on Flickr here. I need to use the image in some artwork, and as a result don't want to use someone else's copyrighted image and would like to take the picture myself. However, despite roaming around all the obvious areas in Central London I have not stumbled upon a single one. Any help in locating them would be very much appreciated.

How many American soldiers have died outside Iraq?

specialk420 — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:01:08 -0800

How many American soldiers who served in this Iraq war have died since leaving Iraq (German hospitals, American hospitals, at home etc.) ? Some unverified reports have the number as high as 7,500.

Easiest way to donate books to soldiers?

unmake — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 23:01:49 -0800

Is there a super-simple way to donate a bunch of books to soldiers serving overseas? I'd like to thin out my book collection - mostly what passes for general literature (as opposed to genre novels).

The recent Henry Rollins post mentioned AnySoldier, which doesn't seem to handle books; BooksForSoldiers seems to be a request-based community site.

I'd just like an address to which I can send a box of books to some people who've recently become voracious readers, instead of putting that box in the alley with the trash.

The all-purpose gerund

rosemere — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 20:59:36 -0800

I'm trying to find an exact quote about swearing. It went something like "When a British soldier uses the word 'fucking', it's only to let you know a noun is coming up." The original source might be Ashley Montague or Robert Graves, but print and Google searches have failed me.

Cutting military benefits?

stavrosthewonderchicken — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 02:39:15 -0800

Has the Bush administration been cutting or curtailing benefits to active duty soldiers and veterans, and if so, can you point me to non-opinion sources that would back up such an assertion? I got into a friendly argument over beers with an American buddy of mine the other day, a buddy who's a veteran, and no friend of the current administration. I claimed, from half-remembered news items, that the US government had been cutting benefits, basically pulling it out of my ass, but he disagreed vehemently, and rightly called me for not being able to back it up.

Was I wrong? It's not about winning the argument, at all -- I'd just like to know if this was one of those times I was totally wrong (again), and if it wasn't, I'd like to be able to show him some factual linkage so he (and I) can be informed about it.

I know this thread could turn into an argument, but I hope it doesn't -- to lessen the chances it gets deleted, please, if you have a link or sourced quote or something, I'd appreciate the help, but opinions probably won't help a whole lot.

Thanks!

Question number 12260

jmd82 — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 23:13:55 -0800

I'm looking for a way for my class to send something to the troops overseas to show our support for them. Anyone here know how to go about this?

Question number 12064

ShawnStruck — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:49:56 -0800

The mother of a friend of the family was on NBC's Nightly News tonight in a short segment regarding soldiers away from tloved ones during the holidays. We missed the news broadcast today, and I can't find a clip of the video.

Looking around for torrents I TV shows, I found plenty of the usual suspects (sitcoms, cartoons, etc) but nothing on this newcast tonight. Heck no places that offer downloads of new programs period.

This would really mean a lot to my fiancee and brother in law. Can anyone help me out, please?

Thank you in advance.