I just retired from the Army National Guard after a lot of years and three deployments including two in Iraq (Infantry, outside the wire just for the record). I’ve had to deal with a number of these cases.
One thing that I found striking was the number of suicides who had never deployed, and of those who did, the number who never went outside the wire.
On each of the cases I am familiar with, there were other major issues:
One (deployed, combat vet) was a school teacher who had just been charged with inappropriate contact with a (teen) student;
One (never deployed) was a ‘golden child’ from a prominent family background who had just been arrested for shoplifting;
One (deployed, no combat) had just had a very noisy argument with his wife;
One (never deployed, just back from basic training) hung himself in his parents’ basement;
One (deployed, combat vet) shot himself after getting his 3rd DWI;
One (deployed, no combat) attempted – long term alcoholic whose body started breaking down so he decided to end it (That was one that I got there in time).
There are very complex reasons that generally contain a lot more than ‘served in the military’ or ‘served in combat’.
I don’t discount the idea that we have moved steadily away from belief in a higher power that 1) we are accountable to (suicide is a sin), and 2) that can help us through our problems through prayer and guidance.
I also agree with the poster above who is sick of and sees little use in the constant barrage of suicide briefs.
That’s a great list...
Sub-definitions based upon two categories of “deployed” and “not deployed”...
The last person you noted there was a good save...You did well...
RE#45 Outstanding rundown.
Thanks for posting that.
Agreed. Know a Viet era vet who just suicided over criminal charges. Had nothing to do with his military status.