4 GIs Charged With Hazing Suicide Soldier

Order applies to both women and men

(NEWSER) - The general in command of American forces in northern Iraq has instituted an order making court-martial a possible punishment for becoming pregnant—or for impregnating a service member or civilian employee. The policy, which covers both single and married personnel, has not been enforced; it applies only to situations in which redeployment is necessary because of the pregnancy.It is "applicable to all United States military personnel, and to all civilians, serving with, employed by, or accompanying" forces serving under Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo III. More»

Repeat deployments prompt record levels of suicide, depression

(NEWSER) - Fort Hood has had more suicides than any other US Army facility since the start of the Iraq war, and while Nidal Hasan, the man officials say is responsible for yesterday's massacre, likely had unique motivations, he was perhaps only the most troubled member of a volunteer force buckling under the strain of repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Ten soldiers have killed themselves at Fort Hood this year alone. More»

(NEWSER) - Lynndie England is trying to rebuild some semblance of a normal life, but her past continues to haunt her, she tells the AP. “It’s my face that's always recognized,” the former Army Reservist and poster child for Abu Ghraib abuse said of trying to get a job—or even just going to the store. “I can't really change that.” England has been unemployed since she got out of prison. “I sit at home all day.” More»

(NEWSER) - As many as 24 US Army soldiers took their own lives in January, an enormous rise over previous years, the Army Times reports. The deaths of seven soldiers have been confirmed as suicides, while 17 pending cases will likely get the same designation, the AP reports. If that happens, the death toll from suicide will surpass that of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan for January. More»

Jacob Jacoby admitted to punching, kicking fellow Marine Harry Lew

(NEWSER) - Lance Cpl. Jacob Jacoby admitted to punching and kicking fellow Marine Harry Lew before Lew committed suicide , and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. Jacoby, who pleaded guilty to assault, will also see his rank reduced to private first class. Prosecutors withdrew additional charges that Jacoby threatened and humiliated Lew, and the judge in Jacoby's court-martial says she saw no evidence that Jacoby's actions caused Lew's suicide. Two others who are accused in the hazing case also face court-martials, the AP reports. More»