With the suicide rate higher than a joint and the VA trying to get their act together, what are your thoughts about this?

SFC Tyrone Almendarez — Sun, 10 May 2015 01:50:07 -0400

What are your thoughts with what haunts some of our service members? What are your feelings on how we treat our veterans.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 10 at 2015 2:09 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 10 May 2015 02:09:00 -0400

Suicide is a vexing issue to say the least. I was at the center of this process and discussion in the Army. We can figure what likely precipitates it, but we still were not getting anywhere. Despite our vast efforts to slow this down, we were largely ineffective. I believe, for some odd reason, suicide is more socially acceptable in this modern age than it was in my younger days.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2015 1:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 10 May 2015 13:12:41 -0400

It is quite sad to know:
1. 15 Vietnam and 7 current era veterans kill themselves each day.
2. Some of the Vietnam veterans don't want help, don't want any interaction with the
government. The emotional pain and knowing they are on their last leg of life
contributes to suicides.
3. Suicide is their way to deal with the ghosts, pain inside, and finally to find peace.

Response by SGT Scott Byrne made May 10 at 2015 2:18 PM

SGT Scott Byrne — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:18:24 -0400

I have PTSD. And have had a unimaginable time of it. My wife is a Cancer Survivor,but it is coming back. We lost Our last house. I sold Everything we had trying to keep it. My dirt bike and guns But we lost it I was able to keep my job. And at that point I really,really thought about taking my own life. I am still fighting the War My wife tries to help and understand But,

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 5:23 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 17:23:23 -0400

Veterans in our Nation kill themselves / commit suicide almost one per hour each day every day. They are Veterans both young and old, male & female. Is there a hidden common denominator at work ? ?. I believe there is. And it's called the **'No-Work-List'** . A list i believe i myself have been placed on along with countless numbers of former members of our Nations Armed Forces. The goal of the list / plan is to get the Veteran to submit / comply , by way of financial distress, with a system contaminated with deep seeded institutional corruption.

Being placed on the list causes financial distress for the Veteran and his family. Which in many cases drives the Veteran toward economic death followed by mental distress / spiritual death and actual physical death (SUICIDE). I am at the cusp of my research (SCIENCE) project. I am determined to establish the existence of the **'No-Work-List'** and present my findings to American Society , the public. Along with data on the correlation between Veteran Suicide and the existence and outcomes of the **'No-Work-List'** .

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 10 at 2015 5:35 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sun, 10 May 2015 17:35:23 -0400

I think most sucide rates are on ptsd. If the va trying to help more by reaching out to current and veteran, the rates should drop a bit.

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made May 10 at 2015 5:50 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Sun, 10 May 2015 17:50:51 -0400

There are many reasons, ranging from dealing with the numbing pain that one has to relive ever time we get new provider or 'Comp and Pen' boards. Or the countless relationships that have been ruined due to having to retelling and pain over and over again. Somethings area better off left buried in the past. Just lost my wife of 14 years, due to not being able to get into see someone for mental health through the V.A. fast enough. I wasn't comfortable talking to someone outside of the system. Oh well, considering her spending habits were part of the overall problem, I may be better off without her than trying to spread time worrying where we are getting money to pay for things we can't afford.

Response by SPC David S. made May 10 at 2015 8:51 PM

SPC David S. — Sun, 10 May 2015 20:51:26 -0400

I joined a non-profit which focuses on these issues and the indifference directed towards our vets, service members and their families.

Response by SPC Anne Miller made May 10 at 2015 10:41 PM

SPC Anne Miller — Sun, 10 May 2015 22:41:53 -0400

I think it's the enemies curse. But, I'm weird like that.
Just to see the lack of support from home, not even lack of support; but outright disgust for soldiers. No ticker-tape, no parades. Just home to, well not friends for sure.
I just think there has to have been something done on spiritual levels to allow this to happen.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made May 11 at 2015 3:37 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Mon, 11 May 2015 03:37:45 -0400

We have been taught to question everything, and as a result we trust very little. Soldiers struggle to find purpose in what they have done, are doing, or will do.
We QUESTION:
Our government,
Our churches,
Our schools,
Our news,
Our parents / families,
Even our chain of command.
The very foundations of our country are attacked. We are now as a country in a major identity crisis, and as a result we have QUESTION & NO ANSWERES! The answer is simple. Go back to the core values of America! Rebuild the foundations. Start in your self.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. -Psalms 139:14

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. -2 Timothy 2:3

We do still live in the greatest country in the world, and I believe Americas best days are ahead of her. And the only ones that can restore it to its former Glory are those that were willing to fight for it! THATS YOU AND I! It's time to find a RALLY POINT!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 8:42 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 08:42:48 -0400

I find the picture offensive, untrue and extremely inflammatory. Looks designed only to start heavily and emotionally charged arguments on Rally Point.

Response by SSgt Chris Lambert made May 11 at 2015 9:44 AM

SSgt Chris Lambert — Mon, 11 May 2015 09:44:19 -0400

If you are a vet and are in crisis PLEASE call or go see someone. We are here for you!
VA crisis hotline [login to see]

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 11 at 2015 1:09 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:09:10 -0400

I don't have to deal with this, but I have lots of friends that do. After watching some of the veterans groups I've been a part of in actions, I'm beginning to realize the solution may not be programs or treatments. It's a community.

The guys I see making headway are surrounded by other veterans that have given up on playing the BS tough guy games and laying it all out with enormous vulnerability. They're taking phone calls at 3am, driving an hour at the drop of a hat, unrepentantly calling 911 when something seems wrong or just hanging out on a weekend.

I see it time and time again - The vet struggling doesn't think anyone cares, may even be highly self-destructive in how he/she interacts with others, falls into the pit and this group of vets just gang piles them with encouragement, sacrifice and love. We still lose some, but it's not nearly as bad as it could be where this is happening.

Also, as a side note - a lot of attention goes to GWOT soldiers. The average age of veterans committing suicide is 60 years old. Hug your Vietnam through ODS vet friends. Make sure they know you're there for them even if their war is decades past.

Response by SGT Scott Byrne made May 11 at 2015 11:07 PM

SGT Scott Byrne — Mon, 11 May 2015 23:07:25 -0400

I have lost my home and everything in it our friends and not even relatives did not lend a hand all this wile my wife was informed that she has stomach cancer ifeel at the end of my rope,if I lose my best friend. Not sure I will be able to hold it together and drive on anymore.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 13 at 2015 12:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 12:59:17 -0400

I am making a strong assumption that veterans who have not received help for their mental maladies have chemical dependencies, which makes lives exponentially worse.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 14 at 2015 5:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 17:14:23 -0400

One region is planning to finds tens and thousands of homeless veterans to house them and take care of their medical needs. It is not cheap as it looks like $144,000 will be spent on each veteran.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jun 14 at 2015 5:27 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 17:27:53 -0400

I don't see much to change with the VA anytime soon which is a shame because soldiers need help sooner then they can get it

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 8:43 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:43:13 -0400

I believe i have discovered a Domestic Espionage Operation run by State side operators. I have reported this matter to an Aid/Staff ( Mr.LIN ) member of United States SENATOR Chuck Grassley and the NYPD -Inspector Generals Office run by ( Mr.EURE ). In both cases my E-Mail communication / interaction were blocked / intercepted. It is only by chance i was able to discover this truth just last month (03/2015). In both cases i mention the problem along with details of this criminal on going unlawful surveillance of a private citizen & Veteran. I'm sure that in each instance the party doing the surveillance contacted the staff of both the elected and appointed official. And further more , the staff of both officials have not been honest about the matter. If true , there is a major cover-up and the possible existence of a covert program. Please help me obtain the truth , help me force the staff of both the elected official and the appointed official to come clean. My fear is that the program is related to an 'F.B.I.- COINTELPRO or DHS covert operation known as the **(NO-WORK-LIST)**. Thank you - Carl http://www.gofundme.com/rm8rg5c (not seeking donations,for info only)

Click here to support Veterans Awareness and Motivation by Carl P Larson

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 14 at 2015 10:53 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 22:53:21 -0400

The VA is FINALLY starting to address this issue and that's a step in the right direction at least. The sad part is though, at least in my opinion, there are plenty of local programs that also address this. These local programs are often better than what the VA offers, and that is a problem.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 22 at 2015 2:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 14:25:50 -0400

Their lives spiral out of control and often get divorces. PTSD can make veterans see the world not as it is, but as PTSD allows which is a black hell. Often they imbibe generous amounts alcohol because it makes them feel normal and helps them to forget life. At this point they become a broken spirit and broken dreams wrapped around by skin. We need someone to pick them up and save them.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 30 at 2015 5:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:08:30 -0400

A VA region is working on housing homeless vets and giving them therapy. The average cost per vet was around $140,000.