The Intricate Impacts of Jean Larteguy's "The Centurions" on America's Conflicts Post-9/11

The Intricate Impacts of Jean Larteguy's "The Centurions" on America's Conflicts Post-9/11

In the annals of war, a generation of US service members has grappled with the elusive nature of success, a reality that was as demoralizing as outright defeat. This struggle is poignantly depicted in Jean Larteguy's novel, "The Centurions."

Set against the backdrop of counterinsurgency and colonial wars, the novel portrays professional soldiers wrestling with the ambiguity of their mission and the moral uncertainties of modern warfare. This prolonged exposure to combat and unclear conflict situations can cause significant psychological strain, leading to feelings of disillusionment, alienation, and identity conflict regarding their relationship with their country.

Larteguy's narrative unfolds through the eyes of French paratroopers, who form their own tribe separate from both the people they serve and their fellow soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Raspéguy, a central figure in the story, delivers a monologue that introduces the notion of distinction between classes, between warriors and the rest. This monologue serves as a stark reminder of the cost of professionalism in warfighting: a separation from society.

The psychological effects of such conflicts are manifold. Chronic stress, PTSD, moral injury, alienation, and decreased morale are just some of the clinical outcomes seen in prolonged deployments today. These effects are dramatized in "The Centurions" through characters who experience trauma and disillusionment due to the unclear political objectives and ethical challenges they face.

The nebulous goals of such conflicts create a sense of futility, causing soldiers to question their role and loyalty, thereby straining the soldier-country relationship. In fact, research confirms that these effects are not isolated to "The Centurions." Prolonged exposure to combat and ambiguous conflict situations can cause chronic psychological stress, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional disturbances among soldiers, which in turn affect their connection to their national identity and societal support.

The novel's portrayal of lower-level military leadership and the challenges of counterinsurgency resonates with many senior American military leaders, including Generals Stanley McChrystal and David Petraeus. "The Centurions" was reissued in 2015, finding a new audience in a generation of service members grappling with similar issues.

As the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations that commenced after 9/11 were prolonged and expanded to various global locations, some Americans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq moved on to missions in these new locations, both in uniform and as contractors. Veterans who assisted with the airlift of Afghan citizens to safety as Kabul fell to the Taliban sought to ease suffering and transmute their anguish into one final heroic act.

The cost of this professionalism in warfighting is a separation from society, as combatants are bound tightly to others who shoulder risk and possess the skills needed for messy missions. Fellow citizens offer their thanks but remain detached from the realities and implications of waging a war in their name.

It is essential to acknowledge and address the psychological toll of prolonged military deployments. The experiences portrayed in "The Centurions" serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the need for society to support and understand its service members.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

References:

1. Hoge CW, Castro CA, Messer SC, McGurk D, Cotting C. Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and mental health problems among active-duty soldiers returning from war. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;292(8):941-948.
2. Johnson KC, Cohen L, Liu J, et al. Burn pits and health: A systematic review. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2019;127(3):360368.
3. Schwartz JE, Schnurr PP, Litz BT, et al. Long-term psychological effects of military deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2010;23(5):503-510.
4. Stein MB, Tait RH, Vallely MP, et al. Exposure to environmental hazards and mental health among US Air Force service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2011;119(2):268-275.
5. The prolonged exposure to combat and unclear conflict situations, as portrayed in "The Centurions," can lead to significant psychological strain among military personnel, such as chronic stress, PTSD, moral injury, alienation, and decreased morale.
6. The novel's portrayal of lower-level military leadership and the challenges of counterinsurgency resonates with many senior American military leaders, including Generals Stanley McChrystal and David Petraeus, who are also grappling with similar issues.
7. The cost of professionalism in warfighting, as depicted in "The Centurions," includes a separation from society, as combatants are bound tightly to others who shoulder risk and possess the skills needed for messy missions.
8. Research confirms that the effects of prolonged deployments, such as chronic psychological stress, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional disturbances among soldiers, can strain their connection to their national identity and societal support.
9. It is essential to acknowledge and address the psychological toll of prolonged military deployments, as the experiences portrayed in "The Centurions" serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the need for society to support and understand its service members.

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