Handguns in a Stress Situation

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tunnelrat
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by tunnelrat »

tunnelrat, nearly 38 years ago it not only took a chunk out of my soul but left a profound sense of guilt, it never goes away, I think most of us just learn to live with it.
I led a rifle platoon with the First Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in well over 200 aerial combat assaults. I went down in a few tunnels, too. During the 1968 Tet Offensive I picked up a bit of shrapnel that I still carry lodged in my hip.

I feel no guilt whatsoever for my violent, aggressive, military actions against the vicious Communist enemy. At the time we still had hope that the people of South Viet Nam would be able to gain and maintain their political freedom. I do have a sense of shame that my country didn't have the moral perseverance necessary to finish the fight, but I have no guilt at all concerning my personal actions as a soldier.

The closest I come to feelings of guilt is when I consider my many friends and brother officers who got their names carved into the wall of the Viet Nam Memorial, while I did not (none of the men under my command got their names there either). There is a sort of wistful sense of melancholy that comes upon me and causes me to wonder why I was spared when so many of my friends were not. However, that is not guilt, but rather a painful recognition of the sovereignty of God Who had mercy on me in the midst of a terrible war.

[By the way, guilt is often one of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Shock Disfunction. It doesn't have to do with moral culpability, but is a side effect of the sheer animal terror that became a part of our daily bread. PTSD can be treated...]
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papabear
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by papabear »

tunnelrat, I agree with you for the most part, however, my ass was in the grass too in 1968 and during Tet too, I also am carrying shrapnel in my leg, fortunate to still have my Johnson, I didn't do tunnels, my hat off to you, that had to take a bucket full. We all lost friends and it does leave a weary and lingering feeling of why them and not me. I have no regrets for my actions, I did what I was told and did what I had to do. Years later I was finally treated for PTSD and a few years after that I finally knocked the chip off my shoulder and started living again. I also agree that God is the Sovereign of this universe, but I would never be presumptuous to think or say what God can or will do. The guilt I was talking about, was the guilt of a friend giving his life for mine, and that I will never forget. It has given me humility and a better understanding of the meaning of life, and a desire to help others. My father was a Flying Tiger, and the only time I ever saw him cry was when I left for Nam, later when I got back I asked him why he had cried, I thought it might be the thought that I might not come back, but rather, he said, he cried because if I did come back he hated for me to have to live with the thoughts of what I had to go through as he had. Had it not been for him I might still be over there.

Hey, I think the the topic here was "Handguns in a Stress Situation", sorry I got so far off track guys.

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himmel
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by himmel »

Hats off to both you guys and your comrades--that's all I can say...
hawkerjim
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by hawkerjim »

Great info gentlemen.,,

Thanks for your service to this country.

What a great website this is.

Hawkerjim.......need a magazine..
vermonter
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by vermonter »

I drive a cab at night in a city that has some drug related violence and robberies. I carry a P-64 in a DeSantis IWB. I got a call to pick up at a closed convenience store at 2 in the morning. Two guys in "ghetto wear" came up to my drivers side window. One pulled out a handgun and stated "I want to show you this". My P-64 cleared the holster before I even had the chance to think about it. The guy with the gun threw the gun to his buddy who took off running. I detained the 1st guy until the PD arrived. They caught the other one down the road with the gun which turned out to be a replica. To me all went textbook. The PD said I handled it ok. Thank goodness for CCW in my state.
himmel
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by himmel »

And they didn't confiscate your pistol?? Thank goodness indeed!!
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by krasniewski »

[/quote]

[By the way, guilt is often one of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Shock Disfunction. It doesn't have to do with moral culpability, but is a side effect of the sheer animal terror that became a part of our daily bread. PTSD can be treated...][/quote]


Just FYI...
PTSD=Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
duggi60
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by duggi60 »

Best treatment is to go down to the range & shoot two or
three boxes of 9mm Makarov at a bad man target.


::)
blinddog
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by blinddog »

I myself have been in "stressful situations". Tunnel vision was my main problem,and can be to others because I focused out all around me and others may have the same problem. Learn your weapon. Learn to fire it at waste high position, no aim. The less you have to rely on your sights in a stressful situation the better off you are. When everything is said and done, I promise the shakes will take over. Shooting for fun is one thing, shooting for self defense is another. I'm debating whether or not to post this. Maybe it will help.
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by truth »

God Bless you, Blind-Dog,.....and Baby Jesus too!!!...!!!
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by carguy »

It is people like you all from those that have served and risked their lives in the military, to those that serve in law enforcement, risking their lives and even those that have defended themselves when their life was in jeopardy exercising their right to CCW that have all provided for us to live in our society as it is today. Having the freedom to do as we please (except here in Massachusetts where socialism continues to rule 8~) and protect ourselves and our loved ones. I thank you all for your sacrafices and the contributions that have allowed me to live the life I enjoy.

And finally the original subject of this thread has like so many split off into deeper yet still related topics. If the subject brings up memories, good or bad, that you want to share I for one am all ears. My dad was in the 34th infantry Red Bull Division and saw some considerable action in WWII that I have learned about more after his death many years ago than from him directly. I understand the desire to keep much of this tyoe of experience to one's self. Your contribution to this and other threads with stories and lessons learned can be cathartic for you and beneficial to us. If you feel comfortable in a somewhat more anonomous forum like this and it enables you to express your feelings, concerns etc, then go for it. Because we will all be better for it and no one will judge anyone.

Thank you all for your dedication to the preservation of our way of life and for defending the attempts of others to enjoy it as well.
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by blinddog »

Hmmmm?
carguy
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by carguy »

Could you hear the Star Spangled Banner or maybe the Battle Hymn of the Republic playing softly in the background while you read my post?!?!

Hmmm!? Huh! Could ya?? 8~)
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by normsutton »

RUSS

I HEARD DIXIE

NORM
NORMSUTTON@AOL.COM
N.R.A. LIFE MEMBER 1976

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papabear
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Handguns in a Stress Situation

Post by papabear »

You gotta love it.....Stars & Bars.

Good one Norm........... ;D

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