Did you know that there has been more US military suicides than combat deaths in 2012?

I suffered myself from PTSS, it's time to bring our troops home and end these BS wars.

Lets bring the troops home, that's just horrible

It really is sad.

That is a sad statistic. I hope the military is looking into the cause and can stop it.

I knew the number was very high. The numerous combat tours might be a causal factor?

Any death, in the line of duty or not, is a tragedy. My heart goes out to their loved ones.

Lastest thing in population control force people by giving them no choices to become killing machines and wait ...

Yeah. It's a greed thing. Unfortunately, when one enlists they give up all freedom and rights except the right to vote. And that's meaningless nowadays as voting doesn't matter anymore.
While your population does support your troops, your government does not after they're through with them from what we can see.

Yes sir, I do. I go to the VA, and am asked all the time about my mental state. There was a suicide there just last winter. I folloe all this because I'm a vet ,and member of the Patriot Guard in my area.I'm sure you of all people see this as pushing the troops to limits unprecedented in the past .Maybe if the draft was reinstituted ,and the pols offspring had to serve also ,they would use more brains before picking a fight. You're a good man.

Thanks

You're welcome, and a big thanx to you.

I did know that and I find it appalling. It's the result of ten unremitting years of war, too many repeat deployments, too little dwell time, too much havoc wrought on families and improper psychological care for returning vets.

Good answer, Lin.

Thanks. You can only be subjected to the violence of war for so long before most normal people will crack. I'm sure that these people may have also had some other underlying issues, but my guess is that they were pushed far beyond their limits. How said that a country as rich as ours spends so little on the very men and women who keep it safe.

Well,it's unprecedented to use Reserves ,and National Guard like they've been doing ,and multiple deployments mean a big drop in the wages paid by employers ,which puts the immediate family(wives ,husbands ,children) in dire straits to keep up with the bills.I blame this on fanatical war waging politicians ,and do think the draft should be reinstates ,and pols kids too, no deferments ,and we'll see how fast they wise up then .It's a disgrace ,but angst can hit anyone, and you never can tell what's happening in their head.

Exactly. This is a multi-faceted problem with no easy fix. Many reasons play a part in the mental deterioration of our fighting forces. In the outside world, some people are stronger than others - no reason to believe it wouldn't be the same in the military. These two wars have caused untold damage to the fabric of our society. The warriors with visible wounds are bad enough, but we have no idea of the extent of the invisible wounds our troops will come home with and what the end results will be. Now, they even have to worry about not being safe inside the wire - see how many recent troops have been killed by Afghan soldiers who are supposedly our allies.

The big difference was that we were active duty ,24-7, and were torn down in basic training, and reformed to military standards ,and lived the life .The reserves were used as a last resort ,and the Guard was for the states ,and any calamity that arose there. They were'nt/aren't used to being deployed like this ,putting their home life in shambles ,and a lot joined for the benefits they would later recieve.When you muster out of full time duty, and have lived with weapons systems, and machinery ,and have the "can do" attitude,and find yourself away from that, readjustment can be hard ,as nightmares ,memories of alarms going off at any hour, day, or night, not knowing if that next bullet is for you ,and the frustrations of coming back to people who can't relate to that. It's a hard life ,and like I've always said ,we must pick our battles with much more thought than we've done in the past ,and do now.

Never any rest in a war zone. No, it does affect Guard ,and Reserves a lot ,and they're toughening up to the task ,but it's hard to go many times ,when you never figured you'd go like that .It's a hard thing to do, and I do feel for all involved .I know you support troops, and you're a good person for it ,and those you support love you for it.

I knew it affected the guard and reserves because they have had to give up their normal lives to deploy. I have a pal who is a Captain in the Texas National Guard who recently came back from his third deployment. His son was born just before he went the first time and is now 6. He's spent half of his life without his dad around. The other is a SGT in the Kansas National Guard (having done 20 years in the Navy) and has been deployed twice. Fortunately, both wives knew what they were getting into and have supported them. I've got two guys whose marriages have crumbled.

It's hard to balance life like that .And like you say, not all marriages can go through it .I'm sorry to hear about the breakups.Well, I have to wish the best for these guys ,and hope the war can end sucsessfuly soon.

Me, too. I'm glad that they feel comfortable coming to me to talk. Even if I haven't been a warrior and cannot understand it from having seen it first hand, sometimes just having someone listen helps.

No, you're a good person that listens ,and shows true concern .Not all members of the Patriot Guard are vets ,nor ride a cycle. They're people like you ,or I that give the troops the respect they deserve, and that is what smooths their lives out.

I hope it helps - it's what I'm able to do.

We all do what we're able to do,my dear ,and that's what counts ,and makes one a true American.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

You're welcome ,and more should be like you. I've been out on the deck ,just loving the fact it's in the loe 70's ,almost forgot what it was like. I'll go for a cycle ride later. And my eyes are slowly improving.

It's 80 degrees here already so it looks to be another hot day. We had some thunderstorms roll in last night and got quite a bit of rain, which we needed. As far as temps go, all it did was make it more sticky. Going for a cycle ride sounds good - that willkeep you cool and I'm happy to hear your eyes are getting better, Be careful out there. :)

I will, and watch out ,that heat is coming your way .It's soooooo good to shake the stuff ,and get back outdoors ,and the dog is happy too ,albeit ,he'll really be happy when the temp drops to 10 degrees.

I'll be happy when October gets here. I'll bet your dog hates this weather as much as I do. :)

He can tell as soon as his nose hits the outdoors ,that's the indicator ,and he goes about his routine as fast as he can.

LOL ...

If you want a cool place ,follow him .He's out in the grass in the shade ,of couse ,surveying his domain for rampant squirrels, or chipmunks.

It's actually not too bad here now. it's 83, but low humidity and a nice breeze. I just opened all the windows in the apartment. Really nice after so many days of nothing but air conditioning.

It is, and my a/c came on ,and I closed the windows ,but for being outside, it's nice.

I live on the corner of the building so I get really good cross-ventilation. I just have two fans going and it's really nice. When I go out, I'll leave the windows open.

Oh, cross ventilation is a good thing. I know it'll get to the mid 80's .so I'll leave my windows shut for now, and go out, and enjoy this weather. Gotta do yard patrol, one job no body wants to take from me, LOL.

That's the bad part about letting your pup go in the back yard. :)

He's got a front washroom too ,LOL .He's the best house trained dog I've had. I'll do the pick up out there ,it's better than surprises in the house.Believe it ,or not ,he won't poop on a walk ,saves it for here.l

Good for you - when I get a dog, I would like you to train it for me.