Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) strives to give active duty service people and veterans who are against the war in Iraq a chance to end militarism. Veterans and active duty servicemen and women who have served since September 11, 2001 in any branch of U.S. Military Service, National Guard, or Reserve are members of this organization. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the longest combat operations since the Vietnam War. Soldiers are at constant risk for death or serious injury. They must deal with combat stressor such as seeing dead bodies, being under fire with guns, being ambushed, and witnessing a fellow solider being killed or seriously injured. These stressors increase the chances of having mental health problems such as PTSD. Iraq Veterans Against the War’s mission is …show more content…
The study asked Soldiers and Marines about war-zone experiences, combat stressors, and to illustrate their symptoms of mental distress. The results were surprising. Those who served in Iraq had higher rates of PTSD than those who served in Afghanistan. Research demonstrates that a strong link between level of combat stress and PTSD are correlated (PTSD: National Center for PTSD)." IVAW realize the urgency to end militarism by reconstructing the minds of Americans, and society. Values such as leadership, honesty, communication, solidarity, and dignity are highly respected. Members agree that the war dehumanizes both parties of opposing sides. The organization states that “militarism is a value system that prioritizes aggression, violence, and regimentation throughout many sectors of our society (Iraq Veterans Against the War).” Their top priority is to obtain a culture that values democratic decision-making and nonviolent diplomacy over militarism. IVAW is devoted to establishing peace and solving conflicts through the means of alternative nonviolent