[AFCdt]

Unfortunately, it is most likely a suicide.

In the Air Force, suicide is the second leading cause of death behind accidents. In the Army through all of 1999, 65 soldiers committed suicide.

Loneliness, especially when deployed over the holidays, is a big problem.

Relationships destroyed by long distance are also an unfortunate cause of suicide. I for one am weary of young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines getting married at such a young age. Too many stories of airmen jumping off dorms in Kuwait, or Security Forces personnel shooting themselves while on duty, all because their 20 year old husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend was lonely and found someone else while their partner was away.

In the end, it comes down to officers and NCOs talking to their troops. Suicide can be stopped, but someone has to get involved and show honest interest.

[BlueLancer]

"I for one am weary of young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines getting married at such a young age."

If the Army wanted you to have a wife, they would have issued you one.

[Prodigal Son]

I for one am weary of young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines getting married at such a young age.

It's not just young soldiers. I've seen older ones get very distraught as well over these things.