Why did Dahmer Get Kicked out of the Army
You’ve likely heard the name Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most notorious serial killers. But did you know he was also a member of the U.S. Army? That’s right, before his infamous killing spree, Dahmer served in the military. However, his stint in the Army was short-lived.
Why was Dahmer kicked out, you ask? His discharge from the Army is shrouded in mystery and speculation. In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons behind his premature exit. We’ll sift through facts, rumors, and Dahmer’s own words to paint a clearer picture. So, buckle up and prepare for a journey into the dark and complex world of Jeffrey Dahmer’s military career.
Background on Jeffrey Dahmer
Early Life and Upbringing
Jeffrey Dahmer, infamously known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1960, to Lionel and Joyce Dahmer. Despite the seemingly average suburban upbringing, Dahmer started to show signs of abnormal behavior at a young age. He developed a morbid interest in dead animals, often collecting and dismembering them in his early teens. What many perceived as merely a dark curiosity would later transpire into a deadly obsession.
The family turmoil caused by his parent’s volatile marriage deeply affected Dahmer. His parents’ separation drew him further into his shell, causing him to retreat into an introverted world where his alarming interests grew unchecked.
Enlistment in the Army
Dahmer graduated from Revere High School in Ohio in 1978. He enrolled in Ohio State University that fall, but his drinking problem, which began in high school, interfered with his education. Dahmer dropped out after just one semester.
In an attempt to guide his life back onto a seemingly wholesome path, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 29, 1978, where he trained as a medical specialist at Fort Sam Houston. Dahmer was then stationed in Baumholder, Germany, serving as a combat medic for the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 8th Infantry Division until his unfavorable exit.
Upon enlisting, Dahmer seemed to initially thrive in the military. His records showed that he was an average or slightly above-average soldier. Despite this facade, behind the barracks’ closed doors, the never-ending thirst for violence continued to simmer within Dahmer, raising questions about what really happened while Jeffrey Dahmer was in the U.S. Army.
Behavior in the Army
Peeling back the layers of Dahmer’s army life, we’ve seen an unsettling blend of normality and violence. Dahmer’s military stint was a paradox, a mask he wore to hide his darker tendencies. Despite his seemingly average performance, he couldn’t fully suppress his violent urges. It’s this struggle that eventually led to his expulsion. Dahmer’s army experience paints a picture of a man wrestling with his own demons, a battle he ultimately lost. Understanding Dahmer’s time in the army isn’t just about pinpointing why he was kicked out. It’s about understanding the complexity of his character, a blend of the ordinary and the monstrous.