Invisible Wounds in Veterans
What makes the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan different from other wars? In your discussion of the issues OIF and OIE veterans face, identify and describe three invisible wounds as a result of their military service.
Unique Aspects of Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation Iraqi Freedom – OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom – OEF) were distinct from previous wars in several ways:
- Asymmetric Warfare – These wars were primarily counterinsurgency operations, where U.S. forces faced non-state actors, insurgents, and terrorist groups rather than traditional nation-states. This irregular warfare led to complex and unpredictable challenges.
- Urban and Guerrilla Combat – Unlike previous wars fought on large, open battlefields, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan involved urban combat in cities like Fallujah and Kabul, as well as roadside bombings (IEDs), which were a constant threat to soldiers.
- Prolonged Duration and Multiple Deployments – The extended timelines (spanning nearly two decades) meant that soldiers experienced multiple deployments, leading to a cumulative impact on their physical and mental health…
Unique Aspects of Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation Iraqi Freedom – OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom – OEF) were distinct from previous wars in several ways:
- Asymmetric Warfare – These wars were primarily counterinsurgency operations, where U.S. forces faced non-state actors, insurgents, and terrorist groups rather than traditional nation-states. This irregular warfare led to complex and unpredictable challenges.
- Urban and Guerrilla Combat – Unlike previous wars fought on large, open battlefields, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan involved urban combat in cities like Fallujah and Kabul, as well as roadside bombings (IEDs), which were a constant threat to soldiers.
- Prolonged Duration and Multiple Deployments – The extended timelines (spanning nearly two decades) meant that soldiers experienced multiple deployments, leading to a cumulative impact on their physical and mental health…
Unique Aspects of Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation Iraqi Freedom – OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom – OEF) were distinct from previous wars in several ways:
- Asymmetric Warfare – These wars were primarily counterinsurgency operations, where U.S. forces faced non-state actors, insurgents, and terrorist groups rather than traditional nation-states. This irregular warfare led to complex and unpredictable challenges.
