The Vegas bomber was active duty Spec Ops. Highly decorated. Even Tim McVeigh had a Bronze Star for Valor in battle.
The standards and selection process for Spec Ops is high. He (Vegas bomber) made Master Sergeant. He had seen a lot of combat. But being the best means you get more than your share of work/grief. Eventually it adds up. PTSD is cumulative. It can be sneaky. Each day we lose 44 active duty and veterans to suicide. Actually likely more as several can be called “accidents”. After the various 20th century wars, GIs would self medicate with booze.
When I returned from Vietnam I was called a baby killer and spat upon by a hippy. I had to spend the night in a holding cell until the judge, a veteran, turned me loose for self defense. If I had instead been jailed and discharged less than honorably, no telling what I may have become or done to myself.
This Vegas guy was with 10th SF I believe they said, in Germany. That means he has likely seen “advisory” roles in Ukraine. It also means he has likely seen close combat, been a throat stabber.
Eventually it all adds up. Some of the stuff I have seen and done still keeps me up at night occasionally. I don’t drink much, hardly at all. No drugs. I’m known as either Coke Zero or coffee at the VFW hall. But we do talk, drunk or sober, and talk among equals helps.
Well, first of all thank you for your service.
Secondly, thank you for your time and dedication.
Thirdly, thank you’s aren’t enough,
God Bless and keep you in all your ways.
Thanks. It helps to be appreciated.