Sorry, but after a career as an army chaplain, and after having thought on this subject, taught this subject, and having been a resource person on this subject, I’m ready to add “the futility of wasted blood” to the list of reasons that service members take their own lives.
I don’t think ‘trauma’ itself is as powerful if there is a clear impression that the trauma was unnecessary, arbitrarily imposed, or wasted.
WWII soldiers also sacrificed and saw horrendous death. But, they believed before, during, and after the experience that there had been a fulfilled purpose behind all the sacrifice that upheld the value of the lives, treasure, and time sacrificed.
Since Vietnam, America’s warriors have been left high and dry. Even now they watch areas they bled to liberate be turned back over to the enemy.
When their traumatic memories are triggered, they reconnect with futility as the ultimate outcome, a very negative destination and an additional support for the depression that seizes them.
Thank you for giving me the benefits of your thoughts and experience on this issue.
One of my mentors was an Army Chaplain from Brooklyn. Yep, a Man of God with that Brooklyn attitude. I miss him to this day.