John Spencer is having a moment.
I’ve always enjoyed his takes, mostly because the senior NCO always shines through. It’s a rare thing these days and I appreciate it.
He was recently on Mike Burke’s Always in Pursuit where they discussed John’s book, his experience in combat, and Ukraine.
One thing that struck me was an extended discussion on the concept of “breaking” in combat. John recounts an episode in his experience where a senior NCO in his unit basically checks out. Still deployed, but didn’t do much.
Many of us who have served saw this, or a version of this.
We talk a lot about mental health now, and trying to get people the help that they need when they come home (or even when deployed). But we don’t really discuss the psychological aspects of combat and what happens to soldiers when they are overcome by fear – which is something you would expect to happen on the battlefield. It’s combat, after all.
There are still lots of folks in our ranks who have experienced combat and have seen this in action. But those ranks are thinning every day.
Something to think about.
Enjoy the posts? Subscribe to the monthly newsletter.
Carrying the Gun 