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Army Sets Out to Stop Recruiter Suicides

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:52 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US Army is setting up a board to prevent suicides of Houston, Texas-based recruiters after the fourth suicide in 3 years, CNN reports. The board will examine the pressure they face at work and the post-traumatic effects of combat. "The suicides in the Houston battalion are a very loud, very bright alarm that Army officials and politicians can't afford to ignore," said Paul Sullivan, a veterans' advocate.

The Army is sending a chaplain and a psychologist to help Houston recruiters, who already receive suicide prevention training annually. "We do not have any other circumstances with our recruiters around the country like we do with the Houston unit," an Army spokesman said. But all recruiters face long hours, 6- or 7-day work weeks, and high pressure to keep up enlistment quotas, said Sullivan.

Volunteers learn about the Marines in this undated file photo.
Volunteers learn about the Marines in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images)
The US Army seeks recruits in New York City in this undated file photo.
The US Army seeks recruits in New York City in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images)
Army recruiters hand out pamplets like this when visiting schools and out recruiting in the community.
Army recruiters hand out pamplets like this when visiting schools and out recruiting in the community.   (KRT Photos)
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