Spiritually, I barely recognized my son when he came back from Iraq. He walked around the house like a caged tiger. He was wound so tight and jumped at every sound. But, that I understand from being in the midst of the enemy. The rest of the change, the foulest language, drinking till he passed out and the stories that he told in front of me of cruelty to animals for fun in their "off time" between battles. This boy, though my step-son always listened to me. He would say that he did not know why but he could never lie to me. Now, it comes second nature. I think that between sadistic jokes to make the "enemy" less than human and drugs and drink and porn, those boys are so messed up.
But, the military forgets that they will answer to God for the lost souls.
I get so blasted angry with what has happened to him.
I think the Marines are much worse. My stepson in the Navy is really not like his brother.