Military Minute 26 Feb 24

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute.

An airman set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC Sunday. Initial reporting indicates this was a protest against Israel’s actions in Palestine.

I’m not telling anyone what their political stance should be on this topic. But I will tell you this.

If you are thinking of harming yourself over anything, seek help. Talk to the wizard at psych. Talk to your family, preacher, imam or friend. Hell, go hire a hooker or pay a stripper to talk if you have to.

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/9/oldest-male-stripper-took-up-dancing-after-cancer-recovery-and-found-home-on-stag-757861

And if any of those people are telling you harming yourself will help a cause, those aren’t people who have your best interest at heart. They’re using you.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/26/active-duty-airman-dies-after-setting-himself-fire-protest-outside-of-israeli-embassy.html

An internal pentagon investigation found no “ill intent” behind the SECDEF failure to notify anyone of his hospitalization.

Great, it was incompetence then. How comforting.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/26/internal-pentagon-review-finds-no-ill-intent-behind-austin-hospitalization-secrecy.html

The VA is delaying plans to offer transgender surgery. How about we focus efforts on the lack of access to mental health care for a far greater number of veterans instead of tackling a new issue?

You know, so we’ll stop offing ourselves.

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2024/02/26/va-again-delays-decision-on-transgender-surgery-options/

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2023/2023-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdf

And that’s your Military Minute.