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Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health

Survey finds steep rise in mental problems among soldiers on third, fourth tours

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 3:30 AM CST
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(Newser) – Cutting the time soldiers have between tours of duty helped the Pentagon boost troop numbers in Iraq—but has taken a heavy toll on soldiers' mental health, Reuters reports. An Army survey found a steep rise in mental health problems among soldiers returning for their third or fourth combat tour, and experts say the troops are not getting enough time to recover . "Soldiers are not resetting entirely before they get back into theater," said the head of the Army's mental health advisory team.

Among noncommissioned officers, 27% on their third and fourth tours suffered mental health problems last year,  compared with 18.5% on their second tours and 12% on their first tours. The Army admits its goal of stationing soldiers in the US for three years for every year in a combat zone is unrealistic given its demanding commitments. Troops now get just a year between deployments to war zones, and the Army is struggling to recruit extra mental health professionals.

American soldier passes death notices on patrol central Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, a year after the US President ordered a surge in troops numbers to battle the raging violence in the capital. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed )
American soldier passes death notices on patrol central Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, a year after the US President ordered a surge in troops numbers to battle the raging violence in the capital....   (Associated Press)
American soldiers hold defensive positions as they patrol central Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 a year after the US President ordered a surge in troops numbers to battle the raging violence in the capital. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed )
American soldiers hold defensive positions as they patrol central Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 a year after the US President ordered a surge in troops numbers to battle the raging violence in...   (Associated Press)
700 Soldiers from the 1st. Cavalry Division's 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry and 15th Personnel Services Battalion make their way towards a homecoming ceremony in Fort Hood, Texas. The Army has cut the amount of time soldiers have at home between tours of duty and they say this is seriously...
700 Soldiers from the 1st. Cavalry Division's 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry and 15th Personnel Services Battalion make their way towards a homecoming ceremony in Fort Hood, Texas. The Army has cut the...   (Associated Press)
An Army survey has found that soldiers are not being given enough time at home to properly recover between tours of duty to combat zones.
An Army survey has found that soldiers are not being given enough time at home to properly recover between tours of duty to combat zones.   (Getty Images)
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Troops get longer tours and not enough recovery time
Stars and Stripes

Army sending in shrinks to combat low morale
Huffington Post

Suicides up among active-duty troops
Chicago Tribune

US • Health

 
Iraq • Afghanistan • Pentagon • troop surge • mental health • US military • US troops • tour of duty • US Army • troop rotations

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