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Military Suicides Jump

As many, if not more lost to suicide than combat

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2011 4:15 PM CST

(Newser) – Admiral Mike Mullen's ominous prediction of a continuing rash of military suicides looks to be spot on—though suicides in 2010 didn't surpass combat deaths as they did in 2009, they did significantly jump, from 381 to 434, Congress.org reports. But that combined tally of 434 is also a conservative figure, including only active-duty personnel, and not reservists who kill themselves while awaiting redeployment. When reservists are added in, the toll goes to at least 468—and then passes the year's 462 combat deaths.

And the figure is actually higher, as members of a 123,000-strong group called the Individual Ready Reserve are excluded from the total. So are veterans who kill themselves after leaving the armed forces—though in many cases the mental and physical suffering they have endured at war is a powerful contributor to their decision to take their own lives.

U.S. soldiers walk past the scattered parts of a vehicle used in an explosion on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010.
U.S. soldiers walk past the scattered parts of a vehicle used in an explosion on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010.   (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
Aitchondo
Jan 25, 2011 5:35 AM CST
Damn you people! You were not supposed to let them know that so many Conservatives or TeaPar nuts had won in the latest debacle. And guys (military) don't do it, please. Been there, almost done that, but it's not worth it, there is good out there. Guys, suicide is not the way... ever.
Fascist_Jack
Jan 25, 2011 12:04 AM CST
A Black solider hung himself in Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines a few months back. I imagine that after he had such a loving time with his fiancée there, the thought of going back to do multiple tours made him snap. The US military covers these incidents up all the time, the only way I knew was through the local news there.
Embarato
Jan 24, 2011 11:26 PM CST
I have pondered and thought on this hard. There is no easy quick fix or explanation. It would be akin to describing a professional football game, from the quarter back to the peanut vendor to the score board to someone who's never seen even seen one. Just too massive to try and explain in a short form forum Just keep in mind. It's okay to be against a war. It's okay to question the honesty and reasons for war. Heaven forbid we ever get to the point we don't. Heaven forbid we ever get to the point we blindly trust our government and fail to hold them accountable. But don't ever back out on the kids who are serving or are on the line. To lay blame, or to give up on them would be unforgivable. Someone once said and I'm paraphrasing here so if I misquote I apologize; "Our military of tomorrow depends on how we treat our veterans today." One generation with out peace keepers and we as a nation are doomed. ONE GENERATION! If I could ask one thing of those who have never been under fire, it would be to challenge them to get and read the book; ON KILLING, by Lt. Col Dave Grossman. It's the psychological costs of learning to kill in war and society. Another good learning source by the same author is the book; ON COMBAT. The colonel does a pretty good job of putting things into words. Much better than I ever could. Hey! God Bless and Semper Fi!
US • Health • World

 
Afghanistan • suicide • US military • Iraq war • troop deaths • military suicides • Army suicides

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