The initial WaPo article that Soltz refers to while reporting these horrifically high suicide rates, attempts with the usual media strategy of creating false balance, to counter it's own implications by claiming that suicide rates are not linked to multiple deployments - or PTSD.
Failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems and the stress of their jobs were factors motivating the soldiers to commit suicide, according to the report.
There also "was limited evidence to support the view that multiple ... deployments are a risk factor for suicide behaviors," it said.
However...
"In addition, there was a significant relationship between suicide attempts and number of days deployed" in Iraq, Afghanistan or nearby countries where troops are participating in the war effort, it said. The same pattern seemed to hold true for those who not only attempted, but succeeded in killing themselves.
About a quarter of those who killed themselves had a history of at least one psychiatric disorder. Of those, about 20 percent had been diagnosed with a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder and/or depression; and 8 percent had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, including post traumatic stress disorder _ one of the signature injuries of the conflict in Iraq.
As Soltz points out the Military does rigorous screening during the recruitment process (Or is supposed to) and those suffering from pre-existing mental and/or psychiatric disorders are not supposed to ever become active soldiers. The most likely cause for their current emotional distress, is the trauma they've suffered while serving their country he argues. But then again, recruitment standards haven't really been at their highest for the last couple years.
October 2005: In the wake the worst recruiting slump in decades, the Army announced earlier this week that they are loosening recruitment standards to accept more high school dropouts:
The move comes on the heels of a free iTunes offer by the National Guard, debates about military recruitment in high schools, legislation to raise the age limit for active-duty recruits from 35 to 42, recruiters talking to Katrina evacuees, and the appearance of a Marines advertisement on CraigsList.
We're getting our new soldiers from Craigslist? Are you serious? Am I the only one that finds that more than a tad, scummy?
But here the thing, for those who eventually do make it to active duty and finish at least one tour - not only those who have been emotionally wounded have been sent back, so too have those who are physically wounded.
As the military scrambles to pour more soldiers into Iraq, a unit of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga., is deploying troops with serious injuries and other medical problems, including GIs who doctors have said are medically unfit for battle. Some are too injured to wear their body armor, according to medical records.
Although many on the right decry the words "Broken Military" - the facts show that that is exactly where we're headed if we don't drastically change our policies, strategy and diplomatic focus in Iraq.
Soon.
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