This week I will be using both the piece written by Rachel Martin as well as the one written by Helen Pow. Both these articles centered around the psychological drawbacks endured by the use of drones in war. I found this two articles to be particularly interesting as many do not consider the possibility that pilots of these drones could also suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) considering that they are not physically in danger at any point. However, both these articles target and elaborate on pilots are having difficulty coping with these stressors.
Helen Pow's article focuses on the trials and tribulations suffered by airman Brandon Bryant, who worked as a U.S drone operator. Bryant was very young, only 20 years old when he flew his first drone and was eventually ordered to shoot and kill two men in Iraq, which caused him extreme emotional stress. Although at no point was Bryant in danger, he was still put in the position where he was able to take some one's life with the push of a button. I believe that so many are having difficulty coping with this because of that exact reason. They are not in danger and therefore may have no justification to give to themselves for the murders. Military members who are deployed and put into life or death situations where they are forced to make these decisions are able to justify the killings in their own minds. However, as Bryant explains "I can't just switch and go back to normal life." It takes a large toll for a person to have so much control and yet no control over killing people at one moment and then being expected to live a normal life after they shifts are complete. Especially when events occur such as the one that happened with Bryant, where he was forced and accidentally took the life of a child. Bryant proceeded to experience sleep disorders, social isolation and begun having problems with his personal relationships.
Rachel Martin reports that the Air force defines clinically distressed as "pilot's stress crossing threshold that is now affecting the pilot's work and family." Drone pilots are put under intense stress in in conducting surveillance and attacking areas for extremely long hours each day and then are expected to go home where they have to deal with normal stressors such as friends or family. The immediate readjustments can take a physical and emotional toll on a person and the government has to take this into account and take preventative measures. Military members who return from deployment are forced to go decompression before they are able to see their families, in which they undergo psychiatric evaluations and are set up with the right help. However, drone pilots are not currently offered the same immediate options and end up feeling isolated. Colonel McDonald of the U.S air force explains that many of these pilots undergo "existential crisis" when they observe people's daily life for an extended period of time and then are forced to end their lives.
The real questions that pops into my head when evaluating both these articles are whether the advantages of drones outweigh the disadvantages and whether we are doing enough to protect the health of these drone pilots. While it is indisputable that the drone technology has offered us a very advantageous standpoint during times of war it is also critical to analyze the costs. Martin reports that the Air Force has put a limit on drone usage, keeping it at 57 current drones in use. This is said to be necessary in order to train more pilots to handle the high demand. I do not believe that training more pilots will fix the current problem. Government and military officials need to implement and fund a plan that will ensure that drone pilots have the necessary options and training needed to handle the stress of combat and normal life each day. Until a proper plan is implemented, airmen and other military members run the risk of developing PTSD.
I completely agree with your points on the separation between drone pilots and those that actively fly in war zones. Just because they are taken out of immediate conflict does not make them any less susceptible to anxiety or stress. In actuality I think it may be the complete opposite as being thrown back into regular life may allow one to greatly feel the consequences rather than be slowly decompressed. Although one issue I had was the idea of lack of support on the army's part. I don't think they want to not pay for such programs but more are they themselves trying to figure out what can really go on when dealing with drones and that may be why there is a limit.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the military is still attempting to figure out the ins and outs of using drones. These consequences can probably be correlated to the sudden influx of drones usage when President Obama came into office. The military suddenly had to supply a demand that it was not ready for and the drone pilots had to bear the burden of those consequences.
DeleteIt is a very interesting idea to compare the stress that soldiers will face on the field or in this new type of warfare. While they are taken out of immediate danger, this does make them physically safer. However, I agree with you on the idea that while they aren't facing the same environment they are facing immense isolation. As you mention, soldiers must go through decompression before returning home from their deployments. Meanwhile, methods like this are not in place for the drone operators and therefore as you mention it leaves them even more isolated. They are also facing PTSD even though they are involved in a different kind of warfare. It is important for the military to take this into account and provide the proper mental health support for these drone operators if this type of warfare is to continue on.
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant by "physically safer" was that they are not in imminent danger. Soldiers who are deployed are constantly under duress which cause them to react in self-defense. However, drone pilots are not under imminent danger, which can cause to feel as if the deaths were unjustified and unnecessary. While I agree that the drone pilots are not completely saved from the physical dangers of war, I believe that the main culprit are psychological disorders that eventually lead to these physical detriments.
DeleteI completely agree with your point Angella. The fact that these drone operators are so disconnected from their targets can in fact make them feel as if the deaths are unjustified and unnecessary. It is important for there to be a better mental health system for these soldiers.
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