Moral Injury (Maj. Gen. Jim Mukoyama) |S1E3

General Mukoyanma tells the story of leading his troops to win a decisive battle...

He then realized, as he shouted orders to them, that he stood at the bodies of enemies he had just let his soldiers to kill.

Moments before, these were living and breathing creatures. Now, they were gone.

Something inside of him shifted. Something that caused him to see the two-fold reality of war— that it’s often necessary yet it takes more than a mere physical toll.

Sometimes, often, it extracts payment from the soul.

I was honored to interview this valiant and tender warrior, the first Japanese-American Major General to lead in combat. To hear his story. And to glean from the wisdom that only experience brings.

In this conversation we discuss Moral Injury, a soul-wound that looks very much like PTSD but is very different.

My guess is that MORE people deal with this that PTSD— yet it’s not diagnosable, as it doesn’t yet have categorization in the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual).

Ever heard of Survivor’s Guilt?

Or guilt + shame in general?

A lot of that falls under the umbrella of Moral Injury.

Now the details about this hero...

James H. Mukoyama, Jr. dedicated his career to the service of our nation, for service in combat was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals and 1 Purple Heart.

He earned promotion to the rank of Major General, and in retirement he now serves as president and CEO of the nonprofit Military Outreach, USA.

In this talk, the General shares his story— and he introduces us to Moral Injury.