After watching the interview, it seems to me that she is going through the natural stages of grief. The man who left for Afghanistan may, indeed, not be the same person who returns. My ex-fiancee was a soldier in the 82nd Airborne, and the things that happen in those far-away places are unimaginable to us.
Sgt. Bales was, as she said, "blown up" in Iraq, and suffered a head injury. These soldiers are taught to keep everything inside, and to disassociate themselves from the horrors they see and may be ordered to commit.
At one point she said "I don't know what circumstances led up to this incident". I cannot read her mind, but having known someone whose very personhood was destroyed by the atrocities he endured in similar combat situations, I can take an educated guess as to her meaning.
Perhaps he had seen his best friend's head blown off ... maybe what was initially perceived to be a friendly interaction with villagers turned into a surprise attack on some of his comprades. What happenend to make this man "lose it"?
She also said something to this effect "I will not have to ask him,,, I will know when I see him".
Cognitive dissonance? I don't think so. Just the natural disbelief that this man who she knows intimately, who had a love of life and children, could commit such a heinous act.
Very sad, indeed. It makes me think of My Lai --- when will we learn that the cost of 'collateral damage', whether it applies to civilians in the conflict zone, or the destruction of the lives of soldiers and their families, is far too high?
tal
