Whoa.

Go. Read. (via Elmo)

I'd excerpt, but I don't know where to begin. It's a chilling and articulate description of the "ordinary" effects of war on a soldier. Not obvious stuff like injuries or sickness or PSTD, but the psychological effects of being subjected to such an intense and horrific experience, and then being shut down and expected to function in and relate to the "real world" on its own terms. As the saying goes, You can't go home again.