Why is suicide such a large problem in today's military?

SGT Anthony Rossi — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:42:04 -0400

Is suicide (in the military) a larger problem today than it was in the past and if so why? Life doesn't appear more difficult than it was in the past?

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 2 at 2015 8:56 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:56:46 -0400

There isn't one reason alone. A variety of factors. Lack of support post military, missing the camaraderie of the service. Sometimes survivor's guilt, etc.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jun 2 at 2015 11:12 PM

SSG James Arlington — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 23:12:10 -0400

A host of factors. We have to work to bring attention to the problems. I addressed some of the issues in my current book, dramatizing it for the civilian population.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 3 at 2015 1:44 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 01:44:24 -0400

I have no Idea but we have more War Veterans than we have had in a long time and there is no denying that does change a Human Being. I am reminded of the Teachings in the Torah/Old Testament about how "Warriors" were dirty after war and how they could clean their Mind, Body and Spirit, I think a lot of cultures still have some of these traditions on how to deal with it. Unfortunately in our technical age we have lost some of this ancient wisdom. Hopefully our New Technology will find a way to cleanse their souls and lift their spirits. I know what I've done for my country has left some scars.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jun 3 at 2015 3:27 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 03:27:50 -0400

I am not saying that it is higher or lower as I don't honestly know, however I think we hear about it more in modern times thanks to social media, news, etc. Back in the past if you think of a good number of veterans going home after the military it wouldn't surprise me if a high number still had the same issues but their suicide wasn't known beyond the family that they left behind verses now where news of a veteran committing suicide can be spread through the news, Facebook, RP and so on.

That aside, one veteran suicide is one too many and as such the problem has existed for a long time. I think more people that are having trouble with things like PTSD are more willing to come forward now than they would in the past as well, especially with development of treatment and support for it which likely wasn't really a thing in the past.

Response by Sgt Daniel V. made Jun 3 at 2015 5:16 AM

Sgt Daniel V. — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 05:16:04 -0400

I can say that perhaps the biggest factor in mentality of my Marines that deal with PTSD, myself included, is Media. War in the past wasn't as public or glamorized or in your face as it is today. This generation of warriors have been bombarded, scrutinized and enveloped in this conflict since its onset. There is no respite, every 5 seconds the war is back. Every other movie is about us, every other political hot topic is about us. Everyone knows what we have done and they question us every five seconds about it. Its like we can't get a moments peace and we start questioning ourselves. We can not move on from that place because it isn't over.... noone won. That is why Vietnam and Iraq vets have so much trouble closing that chapter of their life. It is a wound that noone lets heal.

Response by Jeff Mitchell made Mar 25 at 2017 6:17 PM

Jeff Mitchell — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 18:17:19 -0400

In not in military but from outside looking in from past and present is the news and men and woman entering the military now days are not really taught nothing in life as far as emotions they call it the blame game I salute everyone of u guys out there

Response by Debbie Gray made May 24 at 2019 3:30 PM

Debbie Gray — Fri, 24 May 2019 15:30:04 -0400

One reason is housing males & females in the same buildings & in same floors for periods of training! Y’all KNOW WHAT I am TALKING ABOUT!