A road rage incident caught on video at Camp Pendleton is making national headlines - and raising some questions about the effectiveness of mental health care provided to troops returning from combat.
First, some background: A female Marine who'd been paralyzed from the waist down shot video of a Marine sergeant verbally attacking her (and her caregiver brother) after a fender bender on base. In the video, the sergeant screams expletives, physically threatens the injured Marine's brother, and kicks the vehicle in which they're sitting.
The assault lasts three minutes.
A friend of the injured female Marine sent the video to San Diego television station 10News, who discovered the Marine sergeant is a Purple Heart recipient. Friends of the Marine sergeant say he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Indeed, a psychologist interviewed by 10News named Dr. Michael Mantell told the TV station that based on the video, he suspects the Marine sergeant has “intermittent explosive disorder" and possibly PTSD:
"PTSD is never a defense or an excuse... [But] it may be an explanation."
Camp Pendleton officials told 10News the Marine sergeant was cited for communicating a threat:
"This individual's behavior does not meet the standards that are expected of our Marines and it has received the attention of senior base staff."
A friend with whom I watched the video said, "I just feel sorry for everyone involved." It makes me wonder how many other service members are filled with such anger after experiencing combat, but aren't getting the mental health care they need to deal with that anger.
What are YOUR thoughts on this video? Have your say in our comments section!
