On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

The Etiology of PTSD And The Vietnam War

While this book goes on about how a soldier learns to kill, how it is easier to kill from a distance, how a soldier would rather run than kill, my review will center on the plight of the Vietnam Veteran. According to Grossman, in Vietnam firefights, 50,000 bullets were fired for every enemy killed. Grossman's contention is that the American soldier in Vietnam was the first psychologically enabled to kill to a far greater degree than any other soldier in history, than denied the psychologically essential purification rites that exist in every society. Conditioning was accomplished by literally thousands of hours of repetitive drilling paired with the ever-present incentive of physical violence as the penalty for not performing. Their weapons were suped up for high powered killing:land-the M-16, air-the Phantom F-16, B52 bomber and the infamous 'Puff The Magic Dragon'. Language was changed to increase the killing, i.e. the soldiers weren't killed, they were 'knocked over, wasted, zapped or fired upon'. Weapons of war receivede benign names like 'Bouncing-Betty, TOE, and Walleye'. According to Grossman, the main causes of psychiatric casualties in war are 1. prolonged fatigue 2. lack of food 3. continued coldness 4.extented period of 'fight or flight' mods 5.seeing friends killed 6. when friends get killed, being unable to help them. Put those psychiatric casualty factors with the knowledge that American forces were never once defeated in any major engagement in Vietnam. So why was the incidence of P.T.S.D. so high? Remember, much of this war was conducted against an insurgent force 'the 'Viet Cong'' who were men, women and children who were often defending their own homes and who were dressed in civilian clothing. Children were trained to throw grenades not only for the terror factor, but so American soldiers would have to shoot them 'thus the stigma of 'war criminal' and 'baby killer'-read 'Four Hours in My Lai by Michael Bilton''. In W.W. II soldiers joined for the duration of the war. In Vietnam, most soldiers arrived on the battlefield alone, without friends and afraid he was the 'F.N.G.' His presence and inexperience represented a threat to others in the unit. Vietnam was also the first 'pharmacological war' where soldiers not only empowered themselves with rampant marijuana, opium and especially in the deadliest years of the war '1969-70', a heroin epidemic exploded on the scene where one could buy a vial in Saigon of 98% pure heroin for $2. For a detailed look at the heroin epidemic in Vietnam-which many believe was a communist conspiracy to underscore U.S. morale, read 'Smack' by Frank Browning, editor of Ramparts Magazine, and 'Long Binh Jail' by Cecil B. Currey. In addition, soldiers who became psychiatric casualties were generally placed in psychiatric facilities close proximity to the combat zone where valium and thorazine were administered by psychiatrists 'read 'Wizard 6' by Douglas Bey'. In addition, while most soldiers in past wars were 21 and up in age, American combatants were significantly younger than any other war in American history. You had teenagers leading teenagers in endless, small-unit operations. In W.W. II, soldiers in route home often spent days together on troopships grieving lost comrades, comforting each other about their fears and receiving support from their fellow soldiers. Vietam Vets returned to 'the World' via airplane, sometimes within hours of their last combat experience. They were usually alone, with no one to greet them upon their arrival, embarrassed of their uniform, leary of anti-war protesters spitting on them at the airport hurling accusations of 'baby-killer'. For a good account of a confrontation of an anti-war protester and a returning Vietnam Vet at the airport, read 'And A Hard Rain Fell' by John Ketwig. Finally, the Vietnam Veteran's belief in the justice of his own cause and necessity of his own actions was thwarted by the surrender of the South Vietnamese Government

3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Groundbreaking book on battlefield psychology

This groundbreaking book masterfully examines battlefield psychology and the individual soldier's emotional struggle through violence. The author, Lt. Col Dave Grossman, is both a psychiatrist and a lieutenant colonel in the US army. Using decades of interviews with veterans (especially those from Vietnam), he unravels an extremely complex mix of conflicting emotional states and responses. Grossman starts with the basic psychology of fight vs. flight and adds in a couple more options of posture or submit (straight from the animal kingdom and surprisingly applicable even in combat situations). He then references SLA Marshall's low firing statistics for WWII (15-20%) and Korean War(40%), comparing them to Vietnam (90%), and explains how vastly improved conditioning prepared Vietnam soldiers to pull the trigger. Then he goes on to explain the very numerous reasons why soldiers are reluctant to kill their fellow man. With this foundation, Grossman then discusses post-combat killing trauma, the dramatic effect of physical distance between killer and victim, peer pressure, authoritarian demands, how committing atrocities really does force soldiers to become ever more ruthless, the killing response stages, and the uniquely dreadful experience Vietnam vets had to deal with upon their return to the US. The last section of the book then argues how increasingly graphic violence and gore in movies and videogames is desensitizing children and young people to violence. I must admit that I was VERY SKEPTICAL of this last claim, but the author makes some truly compelling arguments. The best one is on p. 328, '...television executives have for years claimed that they are not capable of influencing our actions or changing behavior, but for decades America's major corporations have paid them billions of dollars for a paltry few seconds or a minute to do just that.' Then take a lot at the graph displaying an exponential increase in aggravated assaults since the late 1950's to the present (coincidental with the rise of TV?). Battlefield psychology is perhaps one of the least documented but most important aspects of combat. Grossman's book makes an outstanding contribution to this field. I am sure this will become a classic in military leadership circles.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman explains it all!

I recently had the priviledge of training under Col. Grossman in a course he developed called Bulletproof Mind. Col. Grossman is as clever in person as he is in his writing. This book is very useful to military and law enforcement officers who have or might have to use deadly force. It is also usefull for spouses and family of officers who have encountered deadly force, to help them relate to what we are feeling. 5 stars.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Study of violence and basic assumptions

This book, along with the accompaning research, talks about violence and killing in certain situations. Mainly on war and in society. The basic assumptions made by Lt. Col. Grossman in his study are the basis for his conclusion. He is correct that this area of violence in human endeavors has been vastly overlooked or ignored in research, other than several studies that have significant flaws and biases, and more research is needed to understand, predict and form policy decisions. However, what is lacking in this study is the challenge of basic assumptions inherent in his. Using data that is very suspect, along with the denial of technological advances, causes some problems for his conclusion. I do applaud his opening this area, yet cannot help but questions his methodology and, thus, his conclusions. This is a good study of proving a point, but not an academic endeavor. From reading, and studying, his text, it is apparant that he has selected his interviewees carefully to make his point. He does have some good suggestions on operant conditioning, from his background he should be familiar with the subject area, yet his basic premise that man is not violent or has a hard problem killing does not carry over to other cultures. If he came from the perspective of American (USA) culture instead of extending it to mankind he would have a more reliable study. Plus, the study by Marshall, on WWII, is greatly suspect from his sample selection. Again very selective and usually away from the front lines, non-combat areas. Grossman does make some good points for the start of conversations in society (again USA vs the rest of the world) and, perhaps, that is the most important part of the book. This is recommended to start an area of study, along with the research needed to discover if his assumptions are true. Perhaps it would help for someone who has actually 'been there' to replicate or conduct studies that contain less assumptions that may prove to have less error. His, and this is not bad at all-in fact good, conclusions are worth discussing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read for therapists working with veterans

A client gave me this title. It helps me better understand what the Vets won't tell me. It is well written and the content backed up with data. The last chapter on video and violence needs to be more fact and less opinion. When a client began to tell me about his "Kill", I was so glad I had desensitized my emotions by reading the book, and could really help him.

amazing

I read this before and after I spent a year in Iraq, this book help me get mentally ready to go over and then deal with my experiences when I came home.

Intense

My son is in the Marines, and I wanted to try and get a glimpse into what he may go through. This book provides an eye opening exploration into one of the most diffcult acts of all time. Be prepared.

Very well written on a very intriguing subject

An absolute wonderful read. It takes a very under looked subject and brings it into the light. Meticulous research allows for great support. This book is perfect for conversations and debates and for anyone interested in either the military or psychology.

Profound

"Societies which ask men to fight on their behalf should be aware of what the consequences of their actions may so easily be."

The above quote is included in this book and, I think, sums up why everyone should read this. We so easily (and thoughtlessly) accept sending our men and women to war and we give little, if any, thought to the toll killing in battle takes on them. Grossman's in-depth research teaches us how much damage is caused by our indifference.

Provocative

This book was suggested to me by my husband who is a veteran of the war in Iraq. He suffers from PTSD and he knows that I struggle to understand what he goes through. He has never read this book, but he was correct that it did help me get a perspective. Although it was very provocative, it is still about learning to kill and there are some very difficult parts to read. It does take some steely resolve to get through the entire book, but, when finished, it is an eye-opener. I agreed with Grossman on his ideas and opinions, but I am not completely on the bandwagon concerning his stance on video games. To each their own, I suppose! Enjoy the book!

The Etiology of PTSD and the Vietnam War

While this book goes on about how a soldier learns..... See the rest of my review already printed. Please change from "Anonymous" to "Bernie Weisz (BernWei1@aol.com), a historian of the Vietnam War

Iraqi War Army Vetern

This is a must read for Army chaplains as well as Navy chaplains in support of Marine units, as well as anyone who would be counseling our returning veterns. This is very enlightening and informative every officer and leader of combat troops should read and be familiar with this book. Combat veterns can read it and take courage that what they are going through is not abnormal and they are not crazy. Thanks LTC Grossman for doing this critical work that will benefit all of our veterns.

From real life hand to hand combat experience

Excellent book. Provides insight into the psychology that supports true hand to hand combat training (traditional martial arts rather than 'show' martial arts that seem to dominate our culture). For those who have been in hand to hand combat, you will immediately understand what Grossman is talking about. For those who are preparing for the possiblity, this book will help you examine your training. A field which is far too sparsely researched, but critical for those who want to understand how people deal with the dark side of humanity.

iraq veteran

this book helped my realize that i wasn't crazy but also shed light on a rare topic in psychology. i have suggested this reading to an instructor in the citadel and think it would be great info for new officers and enlisted.

A Must Read for All Warriors

Dave has done a simply outstanding job of outlining the issues and ramifications of killing. As a police officer and fellow warrior, Dave has helped me to understand the deep issues involved in a topic that we have been afraid to discuss. This is a brave work and will clearly be the leading benchmark in the field of killology.

The Best I have seen

This book tells it like it is. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in the military or law enforcement. Col. Grosman has done an excellent job in explaining how we train our men and women to do what is necessary and what it does to them when they do it. He also shows how the same 'training' has led us into the violent society we live in today. Everyone should read this.

Outstanding

Get this book. Masterfully written, thought provoking and a read that you will be talking about for a long time.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.