PTSD and Veterans - Examination in 'The Tab' · 12:29am May 29th, 2018
One thing that I’m often disappointed by in popular media is the use of what I refer to as “The Punisher Trope” when portraying former military characters. We’ve all seen this one on TV at least once: character joins the military believing in the cause; while deployed he gets into some sketchy program usually run by a smooth-talking but slimy CIA spook who has him do some shady stuff that later turns out to be just as awful as the people he was fighting; he returns home broken and scarred, develops a drinking problem, and lives like a haunted man until (insert catastrophe) happens and he goes on a murderous rampage; along the way he befriends (insert sympathetic female lead) and shows a softer side, and she is later horrified when his savagery comes out as he does a bunch of evil in the name of good and is still inexplicably rooted for as the protagonist.
Gag me.
It’s not so much the overuse of this trope that bothers me in itself, but more what the trope does. The trope creates an image of the veteran as a semi-unhinged man constantly embroiled in a battle with his demons who is to be regarded with the same caution as a wild beast that could as easily kill you as protect you for its own capricious reasons. It’s insulting to all veterans, but particularly to those who suffer from PTSD. And, while I give full credit to movies and shows who buck this trope by having the ex-operative be an actually noble character, this “Punisher Trope” is all too common for my taste. The perpetuation of the myth of that all combat veterans are automatically damaged goods (especially those with PTSD) is one that I’ve had to disabuse more than once. That’s part of why I write; to show a more realistic side of the men and women who come back from war.
With that said, let’s break down a few key points about the realities of post-war living for vets.
First of all, PTSD is not as common as popular media would have you think (click here for the numbers from more recent wars). Even when it is present, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder does not necessarily entail lifelong struggles with a trauma – some people experience it periodically or only briefly and then never again, and others experience it to varying degrees from relatively mild to chronic. Moreover, not everyone who has been through a trauma experiences PTSD. In fact, most soldiers who face combat come back from the war pretty well okay psychologically. There are likely some mild changes to their personality (being a little more somber, a little more irritable, or even a little more laid back, depending), and they may have nightmares from time to time, but most combat veterans are as psychologically healthy as the average healthy civilian. Some even experience what’s called Post Traumatic Growth, where the experience of trauma ultimately leads to the person becoming stronger psychologically. One of the most famous examples is J.R.R. Tolkien, who survived the nightmarish Battle of the Somme and lost most of his closest friends in WWI, and then went on to channel his experiences into the creation of Lord of the Rings. Every veteran is going to be a mixed bag of emotions, quirks, virtues, and vices, just like any other human being. Their experiences are unique, it is true, but that in no way removes them from the general family of humanity.
Second of all, PTSD is not what it is commonly portrayed as in such tropes as “The Punisher Trope.” While some veterans (and civilians for that matter) who suffer from PTSD can be dangerous to others, most are dangerous only to themselves if they are even dangerous at all. While they must be treated in a unique way because of the specificity and severity of their struggle, it is important to remember that they are not “damaged goods” or “savages.” They’re human beings who need love and support and must be treated with the same respect as any other, if not more.
Finally, PTSD varies wildly from person to person. For some, their particular struggle is the kind of thing that can be managed with fairly mundane means. One friend spoke to me rather pithily of his grandfather who fought in the Second World War (an era before PTSD was defined) – “No one knew what PTSD was in World War Two; closest we had was shell-shock. So growing up, no one ever said ‘Gramps has PTSD and is having an episode.’ They said, ‘Gramps is going to go chop firewood. Don’t bother him when he does it.’ And then he’d just go silently chop firewood for four hours, no one bothered him, and he came in and was fine. That was that.” Men and women with PTSD are often able to keep it at this manageable level and be very high functioning. Others require much more intensive care, and even then will struggle with panic attacks, suicidal tendencies, flashbacks, and more their entire lives. Even here, though, they are not beyond help, and it is our duty as a society to do what we can to help them cope.
To summarize, it’s vital to remember that combat veterans are not some group of universally unhinged and violent war dogs who can never be untrained now that their savage side has been let out. It’s true that there’s no coming back to the exact way that things were after combat; war changes those who live through it at a fundamental level, and there’s no denying that.But that should not be taken to mean that they can’t (or won’t) lead rich lives outside the military; most do, at least with as much variation as one finds in the average group of civilians. Even those with severe PTSD can still find ways to live rich lives, even if their circumstances must be more controlled and they face greater challenges. We must always remember to see them as our brothers and sisters rather than some group of ‘others’ who are no longer enough ‘like us.’ One of the most important ways to do that is to demand it in our media by supporting the works which do them justice.
With that in mind and to show different sides of the post-war experience, below I will be going into greater detail about the various soldiers shown in my fic, The Tab. Each of the soldiers featured has taken inspiration of combat veterans that I have intensely studied or met and spoken with. I apologize for the lack of any artistry to the prose below; I was in a rush to put thoughts down on paper and clarify points, not to make it pretty. Beware of spoilers ahead for the fic in question. I would also like to note that the book Twilight is reading is a reference to The Father of Us All by Victor Davis Hanson. Well worth reading, even if I don't agree with everything he says. It is an examination of the reality of war as an inevitable part of our human nature and how honor and justice can be found even in tragedy.
Twilight – After the initial failed exam, Twilight threw herself back into her studies, fearful of ever failing again. Her moral support in this time of frankly rather deep depression was her elder brother, which led to her becoming rather amenable to a militaristic mindset. When she succeeded the second time, she poured herself into her classes and risked social isolation as a result, until Shining Armor reminded her that soldiers seldom accomplished their best work alone. Hesitantly at first, she began to risk putting herself out there more and more until she fell in with the five mares who would become her closest friends: Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Lyra Heartstrings, and Moon Dancer. After the close call with Nightmare Moon, and the heavy blood toll paid by the Royal Guard to help Celestia defeat her, Twilight was inspired to join the military and serve her beloved princess. The others followed suit.
During the Crystal War, Twilight distinguished herself as a battlefield commander, rising to the rank of captain and leading her Rangers on a number of high risk missions that were critical in turning the tide of the brutal war. Psychologically she came through the war fairly healthy. Her main struggles are more or less continuations of struggles she’s always had: perfectionism and an overly scrupulous nature. Her friends often tease her about her lack of a love life, which itself is probably the result of her perfectionism (both towards herself and any potential suitors) and doubts of self-worth that never really went away. Still, she leads a happy life and in post-war years has stayed in the military to teach classes on military theory and history at both Guard and civilian institutions. She devotes much of her free time to helping veterans find work, housing, and medical care (including mental health).
Minuette – Humor and a generally positive attitude have stood Minuette in good stead throughout her life, and the war was no exception. Her good-natured quips kept her fellow ponies’ minds off the tragedy of war and helped them find the positive side of the worst days. She served as a forward scout, often with Lyra Heartstrings, and was noted for her ability to take reconaissance photographs right on top of enemy positions.
She and Twilight are the only two of the mares to stay in the military after the war, teaching surveillance and stealth techniques at the Canterlot Military Academy. In her free time she teaches photography to war veterans (and others suffering from trauma) to help them cope with PTSD. The positive outlet of teaching, and of using photography for peaceful purposes, has let her grow in a healthy way from her experiences in combat.
(As a side note, teaching photography to veterans has been incredibly successful in many cases for helping the veteran cope; a part of it is because the camera (if you get the right kind) is of similar weight to a handgun and is aimed, but the click of the button and the creation of art replaces the gunsight and death; the world comes to be framed differently. I encourage you to look it up; it’s both fascinating and moving).
Lemon Hearts – Minuette may have been the unit mascot, but most would agree that Lemon Hearts was the unit’s soul. Her naturally empathetic nature (aided by her Special Talent, which is tied to getting to the heart of issues and helping people work together) let her keep the many disparate and often conflicting personalities of the unit become a family of soldiers. During the war she began a relationship with Lieutenant Soarin of the Wonderbolts when the two units were operating in tandem. Close to the end of the war, Lemon Hearts lost her eyesight to a magic attack from a troop of enemy unicorns.
Despite her handicap, Lemon Hearts has not lost her compassionate and collected nature. She continues to help counsel other war veterans, using her own experiences to help her reach them. She obtained her Masters in psychology and works as a therapist for the Equestrian Veterans Association. She is happily married to Soarin and they have three children.
Twinkleshine – Twinkleshine ‘Shiner’ earned her nickname thanks to a night of drunken misdeeds in her first years of college. A group of drunken fellow students approached the table where Twinkleshine, Twilight, and the rest of their friends were celebrating after completing the semester. One of the newcomers asserted that Twilight’s Theory of Thaumatic Displacement was flawed. Twilight defended her thesis. He countered. She answered his counter. He expressed the opinion that she was ugly. Twinkleshine stepped in to assert that he should observe the floor more closely with a haymaker strike to the face. Twinkleshine’s father had been a boxer and taught her how to fight using her hooves, augmentation spells, and precision magic. The combination of her background and the pile of unconscious stallions sporting rather impressive black eyes at the end of the night led to her being dubbed ‘Shiner’ and the rumor that her special talent was making ponies see stars. She was the unit’s close quarters combat specialist.
After the war, Twinkleshine found that she missed the adrenalin rush of combat (though she is happy the war is over). Moreover, her skill as a fighter had become so integrated with her identity that she needed something martial to keep herself going. Realizing the danger of chasing endorphins and dopamine without some measure of control, she opened a dojo to teach self-defense classes and competes professionally in a number of martial arts leagues, most commonly Krav Maga and Shotokan Karate. During one of her tournaments she met her match in another retired soldier named Halberd. He won the tournament, if only barely, but lost his heart to her. They are married and expecting their first child.
Lyra Heartstrings – Minuette may have been the jokester of the six mares, but Lyra was the prankster. She was in college, and she was in the Rangers. Her propensity for researching bizarre and often esoteric subjects while at school translated into a willingness to take significant risks in combat for the sake of a significant payoff. While her methods were effective, she was often accused, accurately, of becoming an adrenalin junkie. Second only to Twinkleshine in CQC, she often accompanied Minuette on reconnaissance missions in case the operation went sour.
The post-war years have not been easy for Lyra. Her flatmate and best friend from before the war, Bon Bon, was listed as Missing In Action close to the conclusion of the war and is presumed dead. The news of her probable death, combined with the loss of Moon Dancer, left her feeling adrift. Without the structure of the military to give direction and purpose to her life she bounces from job to job and town to town, often making money fighting in unlicensed fight clubs. She has refused Twinkleshine’s many offers to get her into a proper tournament setting because she hates to play by the rules. A considerable portion of her earnings go to cheap alcohol, and though her relationship with that particular libation stops short of being an actual drinking problem, it’s not exactly healthy. She readily admits that she has some demons from the war, but prefers to face them on her own terms. Perhaps it’s not the best solution, but she manages well enough that her friends haven’t yet seen fit to hold an intervention. Which is not to say they don’t take turns keeping an eye on her.
Moon Dancer – Analytical, precise, and dedicated, Moon Dancer was a capable soldier and an inspired demolitionist. Second only to Twilight in magical power, she was a cold-blooded and calculating combatant. Her death was a severe blow to the morale of the unit, but the undisputed heroism of her final act made her a symbol of the Equestrian forces in the latter days of the war and elevated her to the status of martyr. As such, her friends have been able to live in honor of her memory rather than letting themselves be consumed by grief.
Maple Bar – Before the war, Maple was planning on taking up as an apprentice baker for his father. When the Empire invaded, however, Equestria was forced into a state of total war. He reached enlistment age in the third year of the war and volunteered before he could be conscripted. At boot camp he performed well enough to qualify for the Rangers. At first he was eager to be assigned to the legendary 1st Rangers. That eagerness was quickly snuffed out by the hellish combat that the Rangers were consistently thrown headlong into. Maple’s combat record was exemplary, but the horrors of battle swiftly caught up to the young stallion. He left the war fifty pounds underweight and with permanent psychological scars.
Even now, he continues to suffer from depression, frequent panic attacks, and chronic anxiety. The close resemblance between the crystal ponies and Equestrian ponies mean that his triggers are not easily avoided or overcome, and for years he was unable to hold a job. Eventually, his family insisted that he seek help from the Veterans Association. He was diagnosed with complex PTSD and, even with help from the VA, had an exceedingly difficult time coping. Hearing about his situation, his former commanding officer, Twilight Sparkle, spoke to Pony Joe on Maple’s behalf in the hopes of getting the young stallion a job. Joe readily agreed. With Joe, Maple has found a safe haven where he can work in a creative and peaceful environment. On the occasions where he suffers an episode at work, Joe is infinitely patient and encouraging. Thanks to the care of Joe, Twilight, Lemon Hearts, and the staff at the VA, Maple has begun to heal. He will likely never fully escape the traumas of the war, but he is finding ways to lead a fulfilling and increasingly healthy life.
I deliberately wrote each of these ponies to represent a different side of the post-war experience (the exception obviously being Moon Dancer). Lemon Hearts and arguably Minuette have experience post-traumatic growth. Twilight and Twinkleshine both have altered habits directly from the war (Twilight’s increased perfectionism and workaholic nature, and Twinkleshine’s fighting), but have integrated them into their lives in a healthy manner. Lyra has her struggles, but a lot more of that has to do with the culture shock of being a warfighter trying to readjust to a civilian setting where the environment is wildly different; psychologically she is still functional and even genuinely happy, so while she could stand to be in a healthier environment she’s not exactly in crisis either. Maple, of course, has complex PTSD and will likely have to live with it for the rest of his life. However, given the right tools, he is capable of living with it and finding ways to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
What I hope you take from this is that war isn’t the end. Our warriors are forever changed by it, yes, but their experiences and how they handle them are as varied as they themselves are. We must always strive to understand them where they are, to respect their sacrifices, and to treat them how they deserve to be treated.
God bless our troops and all who serve and protect us, in particular those who make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. All give some. Some give all.
I guess you could say you have Punisher Trope Stress Disorder...
I kid. But yes, I agree, while war is an absolutely horrible thing, it is important to note that not all service members are damaged by it - at least to the point of going "full Punisher", as you say - and it would be a disservice to those who aren't. It's good to see an author who's willing to discuss it, and a story that doesn't fetishise the tragedy of it.
I'll be sure to have a read.
Read this cause of the spotlight. It is a great story. Joe knocking on the empty stool is a very powerful moment. If there is any foreshadowing to that I missed it. That's also my one point of criticism, although it's a personal one. I am aware of that. I don't think you needed to explain how Moon Dancer died. The empty stool drives the point home right away. Joe stating she paid her debt in full is a great moment. It shows a lot about Joe's character, but it also makes clear that in whatever way Moon Dancer died, she died serving her country. And that's all you need, really. Giving an explanation here in general isn't bad. But the grenade thing is such a cliche.
It pulled me out of the story a little bit, which is a shame. That's why for me personally I wished you'd left it at the empty stool. But like I said, I know that's personal opinion.
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Fair enough. That's one of those 'no perfect solution' things. Whenever I run things past my editors, I have some who think I over explain and some who think I under explain. I don't take it personally. While moral matters in a story may be objective, aesthetics are largely subjective, so if my aesthetic doesn't fit someone's preferences, I'm okay with that. I just appreciate that you stated it respectfully and gave me something to consider for future stories. And, of course, I appreciate the complement. So thank you overall.
I'm very grateful for the things you have written here and for sharing your wonderful story, it gave me a lot of insight.
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Happy to be of service.