More U.S. soldiers lost to suicide than combat in January

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More U.S. soldiers lost to suicide than combat in January

Posted February 06, 2009 02:07:00
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+1 raves

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A spike in the number of Army suicides has everyone concerned. Why is this happening? I know military life is tough: extended time away from family and friends, risk of death, lower living conditions, brutal training. But then again, that has always been there. What is the changing variable that is causing this spike?

It is hard to tell. Soldiers might be tired of the war or depressed to learn the true reasons behind the war. War makes me think back to movies like "Full Metal Jacket". Are we treating the troops that are defending our country with respect?

The Army and National Institute of Health have agreed to launch a five-year study into the matter.

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+3 raves cranken March 04, 2009 15:13:51

What a bunch of bull! Obviously none of you understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder! Having to deal with killing people exacts its toll on the ability for the mind to rationalize this as something that was necessary. Losing people you were responsible for creates survival guilt. I have dealt with PTSD on a personal level for over 35 years and have seen the resulting suicides, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, spouse abuse, and the list goes on and on. Get your head out of the politics and understand WAR is not something that is good for humans on any level. Unjustified war in countries who have not as a country attacked us is WRONG! This is a police action at best, not a war. It should have been left in the hands of the world court and people capable of routing out terrorists. Attacking terrorists with an army is like using a sledge hammer on an ant. It only makes the rest of the world look at us as the bullies The GOP made us out to be, and not the freedom loving and responsive to the rule of law types we supposedly are. Get a grip!
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William November 11, 2009 00:11:40

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do yo...

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
(more)
Rose,WA March 16, 2009 21:55:48

Where are the numbers coming from? Strictly from the Middle East stationed troops? Strictly the army and none of the other services like the marines or navy? Big numbers like maybe 1% or the 120,000 troops in Iraq, or little numbers like maybe a dozen? This story strikes me as inflamatory, If there was only 1 battle actin death and 2 suicides then the numbers are too little for statistical consideration.
Robin March 12, 2009 13:49:42

I,m a Nam vet remember how they treated us?
+1 raves
joe March 11, 2009 17:02:09

They probably do it because they know with Obama as Com. & Chief they will be killed anyhow. A young man or woman would have to be crazy to join the military now. The democrats tried to lose the war long before Obama was elected, but failed. Now they will succeed.
+1 raves
law to joe March 11, 2009 17:38:04

how right you are. If only we could put these peacenicks up front with a rifle in their hands so they would learn the precious meanig of freedom.
moses March 09, 2009 04:13:12

I don't doubt what is stated, but as truth, then the government should not be shutting down the Knoxville, IA VA Hospital where many soldiers came to be helped. The real problem is follow the money and the money changers.
+2 / -1 raves
Tuned-In March 08, 2009 09:39:41

It would be very depressing for our soldiers to find out they have invaded a country based on false CIA info, if they are in Iraq. Still suicide is always such a heartbraking way of dealing with any situation. Even when a soldier finds himself in a war where their government has sent them for false reasons, they must always look to God and ask God for strength, and God is faithful to give new meaning and direction to their lives. God has given us a president now, who understands what is really happening, because the American people prayed to be enlightened to vote for an honest and intelligent President. Instead of giving up we all need to continue to pray that God will continue to work through President Obama,so that our nation can be respected again and our people can have jobs, health care, and meaning in their lives. Our soldiers need to always trust God to give their lives meaning and to bring them through situations that they can not comprehend-No matter how bad things appear to be, we must trust in The Lord and Lean not on our own understanding. God knows our hearts, will enlighten our minds if we ask Him, and their is no reason for someone to give up and commit suicide. Their is always light on the other side of the dark valley we might be traveling through-Never give up:)
+2 raves
Ellen to Tuned-In March 09, 2009 14:43:17

I believe the reasons are quite a bit more complicated than this.
Caroline - fan of Audubon March 04, 2009 20:57:56 (edited)

There is not always one reason why a soldier will give up and take their own lives. It's not unusual for mixed feelings to circle around in a soldiers mind.

They are given the message that being a soldier is one of the highest forms of patriotism toward their country. But oftentimes when faced with the reality of life as a soldier, they question why they are fighting wars. Is it to bring peace to a nation by releasing them from a fascist government or to protect and secure their own homeland. They may question, Will my service make a difference and change history for the betterment of mankind. Is it worth putting myself in harms way for this cause. Who really is the enemy.

Most people who have respect for their own human life and dignity will likewise agree that all humans are deserving of the same, until it comes down to threat to their own well being and that of their families and friends, and that's where self preservation takes over. But with this self defense system some are reluctant to take the life of another but may decide to when they know it is to save themselves. In combat on foreign soil these challenges are more upfront, but there can still be guilt for taking the life of another albeit an act of self defense. And then their are women, children and men wh...

There is not always one reason why a soldier will give up and take their own lives. It's not unusual for mixed feelings to circle around in a soldiers mind.

They are given the message that being a soldier is one of the highest forms of patriotism toward their country. But oftentimes when faced with the reality of life as a soldier, they question why they are fighting wars. Is it to bring peace to a nation by releasing them from a fascist government or to protect and secure their own homeland. They may question, Will my service make a difference and change history for the betterment of mankind. Is it worth putting myself in harms way for this cause. Who really is the enemy.

Most people who have respect for their own human life and dignity will likewise agree that all humans are deserving of the same, until it comes down to threat to their own well being and that of their families and friends, and that's where self preservation takes over. But with this self defense system some are reluctant to take the life of another but may decide to when they know it is to save themselves. In combat on foreign soil these challenges are more upfront, but there can still be guilt for taking the life of another albeit an act of self defense. And then their are women, children and men who suffer and die as a result of being civilians of a nation at war. Are they really the enemy, just because they happen to belong to that country under attack.

I think it would be wise to interview those Vietnam veterans and ask them how they felt about their time in an occupied country and what they went through, emotionally, psychologically and physically. There are many comparisons to those soldiers in occupied Iraq today.
(more)
+3 raves
cranken March 04, 2009 15:13:51

What a bunch of bull! Obviously none of you understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder! Having to deal with killing people exacts its toll on the ability for the mind to rationalize this as something that was necessary. Losing people you were responsible for creates survival guilt. I have dealt with PTSD on a personal level for over 35 years and have seen the resulting suicides, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, spouse abuse, and the list goes on and on. Get your head out of the politics and understand WAR is not something that is good for humans on any level. Unjustified war in countries who have not as a country attacked us is WRONG! This is a police action at best, not a war. It should have been left in the hands of the world court and people capable of routing out terrorists. Attacking terrorists with an army is like using a sledge hammer on an ant. It only makes the rest of the world look at us as the bullies The GOP made us out to be, and not the freedom loving and responsive to the rule of law types we supposedly are. Get a grip!
Rose,WA to cranken March 16, 2009 22:04:04

Ideally you are right, a nice independent world court would have kept the hands of our president clean, even if that court ordered our troops to join in the effort to stop the cruelty of the Saddam dictatorship. But the Russians and the French and the Germans had all been bought by Saddam with oil, the UN was not objective in any sense of the word. You might want to google: oil for food UN scandal.
As for our troops being a sledge hammer, yes, those were the olden days, and they have had to undergo extensive police type training to sort the hostiles from the innocents in urban warfare. It is a lot more work, and it does leave these kids open to the PTSD of making mistakes, but other than our efforts to train Iraqis to do their own policing, and covering their backs while they get that training, I sincerely believe we are doing the best we can. This is not our father's war, and many of us will take to the streets if our current president makes an effort to turn it into one.
William to cranken November 11, 2009 00:17:29

I couldn't agree more. How does a decent person deal with performing the tasks of a mass murderer. I can't imagine and neither would I want to. I carry a weapon for self-defense, but pray that I will never have to use it.
Koozarian March 02, 2009 22:49:59

How would you feel if you had sworn to defend the U S Constitution from all enemies fereign and domestic and the people who live where the United States used to be elected an enemy of the U S Constitution as commander in chief? Only the officer corps can resign theri commissions.
+2 raves
Ellen to Koozarian March 09, 2009 14:47:46

It is people like you who will bring this nation down. Where the heck do you have evidence in saying that Obama is an enemy of the US Constitution? Simple minds find simple solutions that they cling to when they really don't have anything real to say.
+1 raves
cranken to Koozarian March 11, 2009 23:49:46

In my part of the world. they say ignorance is bliss, you my man, are as blissful as it gets! Bring yourself out of the comma you are in and read the Constitution and Bill of Rights, all of it, then tell me about what you learned, because you don't know squat about either of those documents at the moment. As I recall it was George W. who suspended the right of a trial by a jury, who invaded the privacy of citizens and did all sorts of damage to the very documents of which you speak. Think again about who you accuse of being an enemy of the people and their constitution.
+2 raves
Frodo February 28, 2009 00:08:47 (edited)

Maybe they're tired of killing people who are only fighting to defend the "threat of terrorism" which these people have nothing to do with. They just want to survive................maybe....
Maybe they're just tired...........
Robin February 26, 2009 16:48:33

I would submit it's because of the unresolvable conflict between duty and politics. They are trained to fight and win batles and wars. We won't allow them to win. They need to be allowed to do what they're trained to do. We don't need any more police actions.
gama February 23, 2009 18:49:49

These surges that Bush (in Iraq) and now Obama (in Afganistan) has signed into law are pretty hard on the soldiers. There are no structures for them to stay in and so they put them up in tents. The weather in the winter and summer are unbearable. The heating and cooling sysytems are inadaquit and so no matter how much or little sleep they get, they don't feel rested and when you are in a war, that's dangerous no matter how good you are at your job. Their guns and protection gear is inferior and some of the food is fried and does not sustain healthy bodies. I could go.on and on...
Nettie February 23, 2009 18:30:58

Have you compared the suicide rate among military people to the suicide rate among the general population? I doubt if there is much difference.
+1 raves
gama February 23, 2009 18:26:21

might have something to do with stoploss..they serve their country to the best of their ability and when they are ready to get out, they send them back!!! What a great way to reward them!!! Especially when they have already been deployed a couple of times already!!!