why ? Hundreds of troops have come home from war, left the military and committed suicide.?

Question

A total of 147 troops have killed themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center, which tracks casualties for the Pentagon.

Add the number of returning veterans and the finding is that at least 430 of the 1.5 million troops who have fought in the two wars have killed themselves over the past six years. And that doesn't include those who committed suicide after their combat tour ended and while still in the military - a number the Pentagon says it doesn't track.

Answer 1

Hmmm, 430 out of 1.5 million over six years -- that means the suicide rate is about 0.005% per year in the military.

What is the national suicide rate for the U.S.? 0.012% - 0.014% according to the AMA and APA.

So, the suicide rate for Soldiers after combat in the Middle East is about HALF that of the general population, which has such horrible things to contemplate as:

Will Britney Spears will get to retain custody of her children?
Who will be the next "American Idol"?
Who will be the last one standing in "Survivor"?
When will I be able to get my next half-soy-half-decaf pumpkin-spice latte-frappuccino with froth?
What is going to happen next on "General Hospital"?
OMG, why doesn't Billy want to go to the prom with me?
Why didn't my boobs grow as big as Betty-Jean's this summer?
Why didn't I make the all-star tiddlywinks team at school?
Why did my boss think I was incompetent and fire me, just because I spent all day long playing WoW on my office computer?

So, what is your point here? Or are you just trying to stir up a stink when you really have NO FLIPPING POINT AT ALL??

Answer 2

I agree with you that troops committing suicide is a horrible thing. I question the statistics however. If 430 out of 1.5 million military commit suicide, what is the corresponding rate for every 1.5 million civilians?

I am a sufferer of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It does not just affect the weak, the insecure, the average person, it can affect anyone. It also does not have to be in a military situation, look at the brave firemen and police at the WTC. The Veteran's Administration gives two years free medical help to all veterans of the war. I have met many of them. The PTSD causes them to be wary of strangers, try to be self sufficient, ignore what is going around them, feel unloved, feel different from anyone else, and feel deserted. This are just a few of the things bouncing around in their heads. Medicines are slowly catching up with PTSD. Group Therapy helps.

Your question sounds good. The underlining parts of your question make it sound like the service these young men and women gave, the service of all past veterans, was a waste of time and energy. I am sorry I cannot disagree with you more. If I could I would walk up to each of them, I would shake their hand, salute, and say thank you for your brave service to our country. I do it at the VA Hospital anytime I met a Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom Veteran.

Answer 3

It's due to the stress of warfare, also known as P.T.S.D. Not everyone who suffers from this realizes they have it. In some it will take over right away, usualy those that are discharged right after returning home from war.
As in the Vietnam war, many left Vietnam and found themselves sitting on their front door step just days after fighting for their lives. They did not recieve any phsycological debriefing as it was not avaialbe then. It makes for a strong and sudden emotional change. Many can no longer associates with their peers and family members, they are surrounded by others who just don't seem like they did before the veteran left home.

For those of us who came home and were still on active duty, the structered military life did not allow us to let emotions loose, plus we were still surrounded by other soldiers, many of whom had done their time in combat, so we had learned to stick together (and drink together a lot).

It wasn't untill 20 years later after getting out that I myself was diagnosed with PTSD. This came about after loosing a family, 3 business's and too many civilian friends to count, and not to mention the "death wish" and "suvivors guilt" that takes over ones mind

Then there are some, who should have never been placed in a stressful situation and can't handle it, thus they turn to suicide! This comes from the military relaxing their phsycological stndards and testing just to fill the recruiting quota.

Answer 4

There are over a hundred thousand troops and only 147 committed suicide?
What are the average numbers in the U.S of people committing suicide?
Look at this http://dhhs.nv.gov/Suicide/DOCS/Suicide%20in%20Nevada%20Fact%20Sheet%20Public.pdf

My husband served in Iraq and he and everyone he knows is just fine. They lost 1 chopper that year, everyone was healthy and still are.

Answer 5

the numbers are actually pretty low for service members though it has risen the last few years. there is a lot of depression issues for service members after they leave whether they served in combat or not, it is hard to explain but i went through a mild version of it myself when i left. the highly structured system can be a real pain in the neck when you are in but when it is finally over many members will actually miss it and feel less in control of their lives without it.

then there are the guys with PTS syndrome. without treatment these people may spend years seemingly on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Answer 6

You are right...the suicide rate is higher with this war than with any other war. From what I have heard, the horrors they face is obviously so terrible they cannot live with it. My husband's nephew took his own life after returning back from Iraq. So sad, so tragic....left behind two small boys. It will always be a heartbreaking tragedy that remains with our family. Why did he do it? We don't know. No note, no explaination and most importantly no help from the government to make sure that he was safe once he was stateside.

Answer 7

the troops that come home are not given the proper counseling (most of them receive a 2hr briefing) and they are ignored when they try to get help...alot of them are told to just deal with it and move on..instead of trying to treat the problem the military mentality is still to ignore it...which is doing these troops no good...yes the military is trying to help out but it's just not enough...

Answer 8

Its actually caused by post traumatic after war that make them more difficult to differientated beside the reality & the unreality
They feel so bad that they failed to hold themself

Worse, they comes to Iraq to wage a war that they never understand about the benefits & goals of that war
Plus many of USA soldiers is never been trained to face against suicide bombers so soon they feel so paranoid too

Answer 9

They couldn`t handle the mental pressure.Those who sign up for the military should be aware what they`re getting into. Military is not for selfserving purposes.

Answer 10

Its called post traumatic syndrome..not all people have strong heart and mind to withstand war ... I think such people were wrong when they first signed to military.