{"id":2036831,"date":"2023-09-19T03:54:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T07:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-soldier-alleges-army-punished-him-after-suffering-ptsd-from-afghanistan\/"},"modified":"2023-09-19T04:01:29","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T08:01:29","slug":"former-soldier-alleges-army-punished-him-after-suffering-ptsd-from-afghanistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-soldier-alleges-army-punished-him-after-suffering-ptsd-from-afghanistan\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-soldier claims Army punished him for PTSD after Afghanistan."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-soldier-alleges-army-punished-him-after-suffering-ptsd-from-afghanistan%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2036831&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>A Soldier&#8217;s Struggle: \u2063Punished Instead of Supported<\/h2>\n<p>A former soldier who suffered from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-gary-sinise-launches-new-initiative-with-home-depot-founders\/\" title=\"WATCH: Gary Sinise Launches New Initiative With Home Depot Founders\">post-traumatic stress disorder<\/a> (PTSD) from \u2064his\u200b service in Afghanistan \u2064reveals that instead of receiving\u2064 the support he needed, he was unjustly punished by the U.S. Army for behavior caused by his condition.<\/p>\n<p>The Epoch Times had the opportunity \u2063to speak with Nathaniel\u200b Cruz, \u2062a\u2063 24-year-old who joined the U.S. Army in\u200d February 2020 with dreams of being part of the medical community.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The medical field was always my passion, and\u2062 I thought the military would be a \u2062great way to start,&#8221;\u200d he shared. With aspirations of becoming a combat medic, he felt like he had \u2064achieved his goal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<div class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/epochtv\/biden-awards-medal-of-honor-to-vietnam-veteran-5486428\">Biden Awards Medal of Honor to Vietnam Veteran<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/5\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/epochtv\/biden-awards-medal-of-honor-to-vietnam-veteran-5486428\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/bright\/the-rifle-2-our-world-war-ii-veterans-and-their-stories-5491756\">&#8216;The \u200bRifle 2&#8217;: Our World War \u200bII Veterans and Their Stories<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/16\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/bright\/the-rifle-2-our-world-war-ii-veterans-and-their-stories-5491756\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After completing \u2062his training in September 2020, Cruz arrived at his first duty \u200dstation in Fort Drum, New York. However, \u200chis excitement was short-lived as he was immediately placed under a month-long COVID-19 quarantine. &#8220;Just when I thought I \u200bwas finally getting started with my unit, I was deployed to Afghanistan,&#8221; he recalled.<\/p>\n<p>Stationed outside of Kabul in \u2063November 2020, Cruz found\u200c himself as the sole medic on the base. The responsibility was overwhelming. &#8220;I was managing the entire aid station while also working with the Special Forces and building relationships with the local Afghan community,&#8221; he explained.<\/p>\n<p>During\u2063 routine patrols in the region, Cruz and his unit often encountered children and non-hostile civilians. &#8220;We would \u2063interact with the kids and talk to them. It became a regular \u200bpart of our routine,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode post-related-videos\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, one day in December 2020, everything changed. Cruz&#8217;s patrol came under enemy fire, and tragically, a 5-year-old Afghan boy was caught in the crossfire. &#8220;I witnessed the horrific sight of the \u200cchild&#8217;s injuries and felt helpless,&#8221; Cruz shared.\u2064 The\u2064 memory of that \u2063moment haunted him.<\/p>\n<h2>The Battle Followed Him Home<\/h2>\n<p>The Epoch Times also spoke \u2062with \u2062Robert Alvarez, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of Uniformed Services Justice\u200d &#038; Advocacy Group, who advocates for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-gary-sinise-foundation-celebrates-10-years-of-service\/\" title=\"WATCH: Gary Sinise Foundation Celebrates 10 Years Of Service\">injured service members<\/a>.\u200c Alvarez emphasized\u2063 that Cruz willingly volunteered \u200dfor military service and\u200d would\u200b have sacrificed his life for his country if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>However, not everyone \u200bcan endure the horrors of war without breaking down, Alvarez explained. He stressed that there is no shame in what Cruz experienced.<\/p>\n<p>After returning to\u2062 the United States in February 2021 as troops began to withdraw from Afghanistan, Cruz&#8217;s mental struggles intensified. &#8220;I tried to convince myself that I was okay, but I was\u2063 lying to myself,&#8221; he admitted. Nightmares and hallucinations plagued him, with the deceased child appearing and asking why he hadn&#8217;t \u2063been saved.<\/p>\n<p>Desperate for\u2062 relief, Cruz turned to medication, but\u200c it only provided temporary respite. Unfortunately, his \u200ctime in the Army took an unexpected turn.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Once I started taking medication, I began having issues with my chain of command,&#8221; Cruz revealed. &#8220;I was constantly getting in trouble\u2062 for trivial things.&#8221; His medical records confirmed that he was prescribed\u2063 medication for severe insomnia and PTSD, which caused side effects such as weight\u2063 gain, confusion, dizziness, and lethargy.<\/p>\n<p>His superiors used these side effects against him, accusing him\u200b of being a \u200d&#8221;bad soldier&#8221; and failing to follow orders. They even deprived him of the sleep he desperately needed, assigning him extra duties late at night. Despite a doctor&#8217;s recommendation for eight hours of sleep, his command ignored it.<\/p>\n<p>Minor infractions were blown \u2063out\u200c of proportion, and Cruz found himself facing punishment for things like leaving his belt\u2063 on the counter or having a slightly\u2062 late arrival. He was constantly monitored and treated differently \u200bfrom his\u200c peers. Eventually, his rank was reduced \u2064from specialist to private.<\/p>\n<p>Alvarez, who has worked with injured service members for 17 years, expressed shock at the treatment Cruz endured. &#8220;I have never seen a worse case than what they did to Nathaniel Cruz,&#8221; \u200che said. Instead of providing support and understanding, the Army tortured him.<\/p>\n<p>Cruz attempted to seek medical retirement, but it seemed the Army was determined to discharge him without the\u2064 benefits he deserved. They delayed his Medical Evaluation Board\u2063 and continued to accumulate offenses attributed to the side \u200ceffects of his medication.<\/p>\n<h2>Seeking Accountability<\/h2>\n<p>Recognizing the injustice, USJAG stepped in to defend Cruz and present a comprehensive \u200dreport outlining his injuries and the impact of his medication on his behavior. Finally, in January, a new commanding general made the right decision and granted Cruz a medical \u2062retirement\u2063 instead of an other than honorable discharge.<\/p>\n<p>Although Cruz still\u2062 carries the scars of his experience, he was \u2064able to \u2062leave \u200cthe Army on May 5 with full benefits. \u200dHowever, Alvarez is determined to ensure that those responsible for Cruz&#8217;s mistreatment are held accountable. He believes\u2064 that this case warrants further investigation and that\u200b the individuals involved should not be allowed to\u200c move on without consequences.<\/p>\n<p>The Epoch Times reached out to the Army for comment but received no response.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How does Nathaniel Cruz&#8217;s experience \u200bhighlight the unfair treatment of soldiers suffering from PTSD in \u200bthe U.S. Army?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  This as \u2063an opportunity to reprimand him, accusing him of \u2064being lazy and unfit for duty. \u2064&#8221;Instead of understanding my condition and\u200c providing the support I needed,\u200d they punished me for it,&#8221;\u2064 Cruz expressed.\u2063 This treatment deeply affected him, worsening his mental state \u2062and causing him \u2063to question his worth as a\u2063 soldier.<\/p>\n<p>Alvarez acknowledged the injustice\u200b of the situation and stressed the importance of providing proper support \u200dto \u2064soldiers suffering from\u200b PTSD. &#8220;We need to create \u2062a culture that supports mental health \u200dand recognizes the sacrifices these individuals have made,&#8221; he stated.<\/p>\n<h2>A \u2062Call for Change<\/h2>\n<p>Cruz&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/after-opposing-vax-mandates-canceled-actress-drea-de-matteo-resorted-to-adult-site-to-make-ends-meet\/\" title=\"Actress Drea de Matteo turns to adult site after opposing vax mandates.\">story sheds light<\/a> on the \u200cchallenges faced by many\u2063 soldiers \u2062dealing with \u2064PTSD. Their struggle should not be compounded by unjust \u2063punishment \u2062and lack of\u200c support. It is crucial for the military\u2062 to \u200bprioritize the\u2062 well-being of its servicemen and women, especially \u2062those who have been affected \u2063by the traumas of war.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, there needs to be a change in how PTSD is perceived and treated within the\u2062 military. Rather \u2063than stigmatizing and penalizing individuals for their condition, there should be a focus on\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-soldier-alleges-army-punished-him-after-suffering-ptsd-from-afghanistan\/\" title=\"Ex-soldier claims Army punished him for PTSD after Afghanistan.\">providing comprehensive mental health care<\/a>, therapy, and support systems \u200cto help them heal and reintegrate \u2064into civilian life.<\/p>\n<p>As for Cruz, he is now seeking justice for the mistreatment he endured. With the \u200chelp \u200cof his \u2062lawyers, he \u2063is\u200d fighting to have his \u2063case reviewed and to raise awareness of the issue. He hopes that his \u200bstory will bring about change and \u2064prevent others \u2064from going\u2064 through the same ordeal.<\/p>\n<p>The struggles faced \u2064by soldiers like Nathaniel Cruz highlight the need for a \u200cmore empathetic and supportive approach to mental health\u2063 in \u200bthe military. They put \u2064their \u2063lives \u200bon the line to protect their country, and \u200cit is\u2063 only fair that they receive\u200d the necessary support and understanding in return.<\/p>\n<p>It is time\u2062 for\u2064 the U.S. Army, and the military as a \u2062whole, to prioritize the mental well-being \u2064of its soldiers. By doing \u200cso, they not only honor their sacrifices but also create \u200ca healthier and stronger military force.<\/p>\n<p>Every soldier&#8217;s story should be heard, and their\u200d struggles acknowledged and addressed. \u200cIt \u200bis only through empathy,\u2063 understanding, and action that\u2062 we\u200b can truly\u200b support those who \u200chave bravely served our country.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Nathaniel \u200cCruz&#8217;s experience sheds\u2063 light on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-transition-official-caught-on-camera-saying-border-crisis-is-boom-for-business\/\" title=\"Biden official caught on camera: Border crisis a 'business opportunity'\">deeply troubling issue<\/a> within the\u200b U.S.\u2064 Army \u2014 the unfair treatment of\u200c soldiers suffering from \u200dPTSD. Instead of receiving the \u2062support they desperately need, they are unjustly\u200c punished for their condition.\u2062 This is not only a disservice to these brave men and women\u200c but also undermines\u200c the\u2062 integrity of the military as a whole.<\/p>\n<p>It is imperative that we demand change and demand \u2062justice for\u2064 soldiers like Cruz.\u200d We must advocate for a system that prioritizes the mental well-being \u200dof our servicemen and women, providing them with the care \u2064and \u200bsupport they need to heal and\u200b reintegrate \u2062into society.<\/p>\n<p>Let \u200cus stand with Nathaniel\u200d Cruz and all \u2064those \u2063who have faced similar struggles. Their sacrifices should never be\u200d forgotten, and their voices<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 24-year-old ex-soldier suffering from PTSD due to his service in Afghanistan claims he was penalized by the U.S. Army for behavior resulting from his condition. Nathaniel Cruz, interviewed by The Epoch Times, joined the army in February 2020 with high hopes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":758,"featured_media":2036832,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2036831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/758"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2036831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2036832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2036831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2036831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2036831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}