by Jeanni Ritchie
While having breakfast with my dad last month, conversation turned to a friend’s grandson who had enlisted in the Army. I think it’s a great opportunity for him just as joining the Marines was for my son.
I knew that a drill sergeant would be able to instill discipline in him I never could. My son had possessed the ability to make me melt in a way my daughters never could. He never stayed in trouble long.
I think basic training is good for anyone, regardless of gender. I have always been in awe of every person I’ve known who’s survived it, knowing I never could.
My dad mentioned hearing about “stress cards,” the cards purportedly used to signify the need for a mental health break when training became too demanding. Wait, what?!!
I was dumbfounded. The stray grays in my hair didn’t age me as much as the old lady diatribe that came out of my mouth next.
“This is exactly what’s wrong with today’s society,” I ranted. I went on to complain about the young family member who was indignant because I’d hurt her feelings when getting on to her for something she’d done wrong. She tried to flip the script on me.
“Can you imagine me doing that to you when I’d been busted for something in the 80’s?” I asked my dad. “I’d have been grounded twice as long!”
Mental health is an important topic. I am a staunch advocate of protecting one’s mental health and I write tirelessly about it. But it is not a “get out of jail free” card. Save that for game night when you break out the Monopoly board. You’ll never heal from mental health trauma until you take accountability for your actions and learn how to function as the rest of society does.
Aggravated that our armed forces kowtowed to such nonsense, I wondered what would happen in the heat of battle? “Wait! Time out! Cease fire! I need a mental health moment…”
Turns out, these so-called stress cards are just a myth. They date back to the 90’s when the U.S. Navy issued blue cards with services and resources for those struggling with depression and/or suicidal ideations. It was never used to halt training and is often used as a joke between branches of service or older vs younger servicemen. Fake cards flood the internet encouraging recruits to carry them to boot camp.
Prioritizing mental health is important. I believe we should break the stigma that surrounds it. But we cannot allow ourselves or others to use it as an excuse to escape consequences. You do the crime, you do the time…
At least that’s what my dad always said.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
