YP Comment: The mental frailties of soldiers

Even after his murder conviction was reduced to manslaughter, paving the way for the 42-year-old’s imminent release from prison, esteemed military experts were still divided on a shocking case in which Alexander admitted to comrades that he had just broken the Geneva Convention with his actions.

Some say he betrayed colleagues by losing his cool in the heat of battle; others maintain that the Marine was a “hero” who served his country with distinction and was as much a casualty as all those who have been killed, and injured, in Afghanistan since 2011, and that the legal system needs to pay more regard to such circumstances.

Either way, this landmark case is another reminder about the need for greater awareness about the mental frailties of those members of the Armed Forces serving their country in addition to the growing support that now exists thanks to the work of Prince Harry, a noted veteran of Afghanistan, and others.

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