The Wounded Platoon

This PBS Frontline documentary examines the U.S. Army's struggle to identify and treat men traumatized by war, focusing on the Third Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry, a close-knit outfit that served several tours of duty in Iraq, tasked with defusing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). When the troops returned to Fort Carson, CO, many were whole in body but wounded in spirit, grieving the loss of their beloved sergeant and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Written and directed by Dan Edge, The Wounded Platoon looks at how the Army missed danger signals both before and after deployment. Veterans of the battalion were linked with an unusually high number of suicides, murders, and assaults, while some had substance abuse problems—often a continuation of issues preceding their military service (the documentary also considers the stigma attached to soldiers seeking help). Offering both a provocative look at the military's mental health services and a powerful portrait of the long-term personal and social consequences of combat, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)