Tonight, June 13: NOW: Fighting the Army

If you're as tired as I am of all the rhetoric about supporting and honoring the troops in Iraq, uttered by the same phony politicians who want nothing to do with these young American women and men when they come back, particularly if supporting and honoring them costs money, be sure to watch PBS' Now tonight, Friday, June 13, 8:30PM (Repeated Sun. June 15, 11:00PM) The show explores a scandal first uncovered in The Nation Magazine -- how military doctors are purposely misdiagnosing soldiers wounded in Iraq, labeling them mentally ill in order to deny them medical care and disability pay.

Of the thousands of U.S. troops getting discharged from the Army each year, many who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries aren't getting the vital care they need. The Army claims these soldiers have pre-existing mental illnesses or are guilty of misconduct. But advocates say this is a way for the Army to get rid of "problem" soldiers quickly, without giving them the treatment and benefits to which they're entitled.

NOW travels to Fort Hood in Texas to meet traumatized soldiers fighting a new battle, this one against the army they served. Are soldiers being wrongfully discharged for honorable service?

The program features Nation reporter Joshua Kors' interview with Sgt. Chuck Luther, who was wounded by mortar fire, then jailed until he agreed his wounds were caused by a "personality disorder." Kors' original piece of reporting for The Nation on the issue, recently received a National Magazine Award, the industry's highest honor.