Rural recruits admitted despite criminal histories may pose risks for their hometowns upon return

Given disproportionate military recruitment from rural America, crimes committed by returned soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are a growing concern in rural jurisdictions -- especially because the services have been admitting more recruits with criminal records that normally would disqualify them.

"Experts said that since crime is not a typical symptom of PTSD, their subsequent crimes more likely were a product of their backgrounds than of the war," but those with criminal histories were more likely to suffer PTSD, Russell Carollo writes for The Sacramento Bee. Carollo examines cases of recruits from several states who had criminal histories prior to their service and were charged with crimes after returning from the war. Read more.

The Bee picks up where the Los Angeles Times left off. David Zucchino wrote for the Times about Cody Morris, a 19-year-old veteran diagnosed with PTSD. Morris was "eager" to leave Bardwell, Ky., and recalls "a turbulent upbringing." He was sent to a military-themed reform school at 15 for serving as a lookout while a friend robbed a store and earned a GED at 17. Zucchino's article did not mention whether or not Morris received a waiver because of his criminal offense, but says Morris met the National Guard's standards. Morris and his best friend since the fourth grade, Casey Hall, 18, joined the Guard together. "Morris seemed to find a home in the military, with its codes of honor and discipline," Zucchino writes. But he was convicted of reckless homicide and tampering with evidence following Hall's death on Oct. 18 from a gunshot placed perfectly between his eyes.

Zucchino writes of Morris, right, "His base near Baghdad was attacked almost daily. He described shooting an insurgent in the chest and seeing his face as he died. He spoke of seeing bodies floating in a canal and stepping on human brains during a house raid." A military psychiatrist diagnosed Morris with PTSD after Morris' disturbing personality changes were cited by his team leader. Read more. (Photo by Stephen Lance Dennee, The Associated Press)

In September 2006, the state of California authorized state judges to sidestep sentencing guidelines and decide between treatment or jail for veterans convicted of any crime. Other states, including New York, Montana and Minnesota, contacted California officials as word of the law spread, and Minnesota became the second state to pass similar legislation in May.

All rural areas are potential victims of crimes committed by war veterans, and perhaps more so because of higher recruitment rates. Has it happened in your community? If not, it might be coming soon, and the medical community still has a lot to learn about the disorder and how to treat it, a West Virginia psychologist told the Charleston Rotary Club, Rusty Marks of The Charleston Gazette reports.