Mr. Chair, all I can say is that the perceptions are the reality. When I reflect on my experiences in Bosnia in 1993, my personal experiences were far more traumatic at that point than they ever were when I was a commander in the theatre. As I said, the perception is the reality. There are some huge non-operational stressors that our soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel have to endure when they get home that in my personal experience are far more problematic and debilitating than what I experienced in theatre.
We have medal winners coming home and being treated anonymously in the system. I find that incomprehensible.
So what it takes is to have a genuine empathy with the individuals involved, especially at the higher levels of command, and I think, if you do hold the chain of command responsible, it will inculcate right down to the lowest level, to that squad and section commander who is the key link in all of this in terms of looking after the welfare of the soldiers, sailors, and air force people.