Back in the 60s, the boomer generation seemed so split from their parents, of the World War II “greatest generation”. Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles, other bands, had hits about kids unable to communicate or understand their silent, emotionally dead parents. Carly Simon sang “My father sits at night with no lights on
His cigarette glows in the dark.
The living room is still;
I walk by, no remark.”
It is my theory that a huge number of men that had been through WWII were suffering from PTSD but no one had figured out that was what was going on. In the 40s, 50s, and 60s, you had a drink or five and were stoic about it.
Now we are finding out that PTSD is actually rampant in combat veterans. And listening to the plea and attempt at explanation of Sgt. Bales, I think he just snapped and was way beyond his ability to handle the situation. But soldiers won’t admit that, even in this situation, because it is considered a sign of weakness and cowardice. so they stuff their feelings deep inside until they snap.