Not in my case. While I was in Afghanistan, I was basically forbidden from being honest. I had to have every single post vetted through both JAG and PAO and if I so much as questioned how something was being done, it wasn't approved. I wasn't even allowed to opine about the level of award a Marine got for identifying a life-saving flaw in choppers. And, I now have to post the following disclaimer on every social media platform where I post: This comment is comprised of my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinions or positions of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, III Corps, RC-S, ISAF, or the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.

I'm getting ready to go through this process. My docs and I have agreed that a medical retirement is the best thing for me. As someone who has tried to end the stigma and reshape the discussion in the Army, I can say that we've failed. Soldiers are not necessarily any better off in my opinion than before 2009 when it was a career killer to seek mental health help. When general officers refer to PTSD as "emotional indiscipline" and "emotional immaturity" you know we haven't gotten anywhere. When senior NCOs continue to refer to Soldiers who go to the combat stress clinic as "fucked in the head," we've made no headway. When THE senior NCO in a unit refers to the procedures as "fucking with your heads" it's hard to be honest about it. Soldiers are shunned, ridiculed, mocked, and harassed for seeking help. In my opinion, we've failed. And our greatest advocate has just (deservedly) retired.

As one of the bloggers that have been shut down by military leadership, I just wanna say....never mind. I need to get this comment approved first.

There's actually a whole other part to the origins of this story. About a month ago, Yon accused me out of the blue of wanting to "murder" him. He made very serious allegations to the Army of "communicating a threat" and also filed or had filed a congressional inquiry. Both investigations are currently ongoing, so I can't be specific about them yet. Both are taking away resources from our combat mission here in Afghanistan, but Yon levied the charges then left the country without answering questions under oath as I was required to do. Drive by accusations and intimidated are the modus operandi of Mr. Yon. Because of his allegations against me and subsequent fallout with RC-S PAO and command group, Yon began this attempt to discredit as he usually does when he's removed from an embed, alleging misdeeds as they relate to MEDEVAC procedures. ISAF even went so far as to release a full statement refuting his claims, showing that he was either blatantly incorrect or lacked the full context of his writing.

http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2011/02/25/rolling-stone-targets-another-general

LTG Caldwell is one of those Generals I'd follow to hell! He's a GREAT leader and competent officer in IO, PA, and Training. I'm sure that's just the beginning. Even after reading the article, I cam to the same conclusion - this LTC is on a vendetta and grasping at straws. Obviously, these two officers DON'T understand that fine line between the two. I find it hard to believe that a LTC and a MAJ don't have the balls to do what private and NCOs are doing all the time - reporting violations of law, policy, or regulation to superiors or IG. I'm also interested in reading that 15-6 and i know that LTC Caldwell will come out clean.

Shayna, The military prescribes the same anti-depressant medications that the civilian world does. For example, I'm on Celexa. Others are on Zoloft or whatever works for them. We have frequent visits with our docs to ensure that the medications are doing what they are supposed to and in the proper doses. That doesn't mean it's a perfect system nor that some Soldiers are abusing them or using them improperly. There is all kinds of off-post help available to troops. By calling Military OneSource, troops are put in contact with those resources, which augment the numerous resources available ON post as well. It's all very discreet and confidential. If one form of counseling doesn't work, there are other options. The problem here is that some troops feel like something isn't working and simply give up instead of seeking helping from other avenues.

WND is wrong. Being a senior NCO stationed at Fort Hood, I know this isn't happening. What has happened is that all Soldiers are simply being asked if they own weapons. They aren't being asked what kind, how many, serial numbers, or anything like that. Additionally, senior NCOs are visiting the homes of all our troops to visit them in a non-business and relaxed environment. We are really trying to find out what is causing all these suicides. According to media reports, III Corps leads the Army in suicides, which isn't something to be proud of.

One more thing. If you ARE a friend on Facebook, kindly unfriend me so that you aren't bothered by my postings there. I'd hate for you to be constantly disappointed in what you perceive I should be.

Ahhh. In that case, I owe you a complete apology. I so missed the part of joining the military where I was supposed to be a robot without a sense of humor or shred of humanity about me. Can you show me on my blog where I've mentioned being a SGM? I'm a little corn-fused about where I've made mention. If you're talking about my PRIVATE Facebook page, that's another issue that is not open to the public but to people I allow to friend me. I have IG complaints because people don't know to disagree with my OPINIONS without going on a power trip. It's really that simple. You seem to have the same issue and think that "discretion" means basically keeping my opinions to myself. We are just going to have to disagree with that. I didn't sign up to be a robot and I didn't throw away my rights when I became a Soldier. I've proven that through my battles with the IG and JAG. I demanded a court martial and strangely wasn't given one. I don't like Yon because he's dangerous to our troops. If you don't like that I don't like Yon, wonderful. In this country, you're entitled to that belief and I to mine. I treat my subordinates the same way. They are free to live their private lives however they see fit as long as it's legally, ethically and morally right. I don't judge their personal opinions and could not care less what they put on their Facebook pages.

Rsta05, perhaps you can explain how I've acted "childish and immature". How would I not want my subordinates to act? Not call it like they see it? How have I brought the spotlight on my unit? For what it's worth, I'm kinda glad I'm not your leader. You'd be one of those 10% I have to spend 90% of my time on. And for the record, I don't blog as a Master Sergeant or a Sergeant Major or anything. I blog as CJ. You won't ever find any rank before my name here. I don't speak for the Army, my unit, or my team. I speak for me! If you have a problem with that, I suggest Venezuela where you'd fit in better.

Have you seen Yon? I doubt he's got a better PT score than anyone on this site. Did you even READ this post and the links? How much more clear does Jimbo and the rest of us "milkooks" have to make what he's done to us, specifically our active duty troops?

cmarii, Yon has violated OPSEC guidelines, whether he wants to admit it or not. Just because this person or that person or Yon's little circle of 10% of people that he trusts didn't call him out on it, doesn't mean it didn't happen. But, thank you for the blessings.

I'm done with Yon because he's using bullying and strongarm tactics that caused my family a lot of stress and frustration at my last duty station. His "FANatics" are sending me very threatening emails against my self, my job and - yes - my life. I can't tell you many are encouraging that I die when I go to Afghanistan shortly. Some have even offered to "Taliban" my ass before I leave. I emailed Yon for an official response to these emails and was met with silence. Silence = acceptance in my book. But, as an active duty Soldier, I'm fed up with and tired of fighting IG complaints and morons contacting my command for stupid shit. I'm fed up with my career being used against me by people who simply don't agree with me. You asshats who support Yon and these tactics are no better than the enemy we fight. Forcing me to respond to blatantly baseless IG complaints and calls to my chain of command takes the entire leadership chain away from our mission - which mission reset and preparation for forthcoming deployment. The fact that you people WANT our mission degraded and compromised speaks volumes about the person you support. THAT is why I won't mention Yon again on my blog. I'm not running away from him, I'm supporting my troops. As an Operations SGM I have a LOT to do and defending myself against zealots doesn't help them at all. I could care less what you do to me, but don't drag my troops into your mud slinging campaign. And I'm talking to Yon's fanatics. Thanks for hammering this, Jimbo. He can't get away with what he's doing, but I just can't be a battle buddy in this one.

I used an easily searchable name of my Nigerian Scam busting alter ego, David Sneakers, and he still posted the information. In the email I sent him, it even had "CJ" right next to the addy! It took him over 24 hours to even contact me - AFTER he had published the information and gotten his readers all riled up.

Oh, snap! Sounds to me like Michael Yon believes that his audience (what's left of it) lacks the intelligence of reading or memory recall. If Yawn wants to speak about libel, maybe he should review his own writing. By the way, is he a blogger or a reporter? Maybe a new category called blogporter?

I don't know, Jimbo. I don't see any pics of YOU with those girls. Were you court ordered to stay a certain number of yards away? Could this be one of those military dating scams from Nigeria?

I’ve updated our post with a list of all the medals he is wearing! You’ll be appalled!! http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2010/01/18/wanted-for-stolen-valor/