A new report on U.S. military deaths contain a stark statistic: An estimated 7,057 service members have died during military operations, most due to explosives since 9/11, while suicides among active duty personnel and veterans of those conflicts have reached 30,177 – that’s more than four times as many.
As presidential administration after administration attempts to get a handle on the ongoing suicides by members in the armed forces, experts say the root causes of the crisis remain evasive. The author of the report, Thomas Suitt, wrote a paper for Brown University’s Cost of War Project, suggesting that military conflicts since the 9/11 terrorists attacks are very different from previous wars. He states that this is the longest war we have ever been in. It has resulted in the troops being redeployed into combat, including some of those who were wounded, treated and then sent back to the war zone. He indicates that this may be the cause of the suicides.
It is true, this was the longest war. However it was also very different from wars in the past. It was a guerrilla war where the enemy is usually within 50 yards of troops. They use underground bombs and bombs in cars and trucks that drove into our vehicles and troops. In addition women and children with bombs strapped on entered a location where troops were. To make it even more difficult children were used who were eight to ten years old.
Let’s stop here for a couple of questions. Going back to the car bomber that killed the 13 military troops, how would you feel if you were the sniper who had the driver in his sights, but could not get permission to shoot him and save the troops? How would you feel if you had to shoot and kill the 8 year old girl to whom you had given candy to two or three days ago, or did not stop your buddy from shooting her even though she was wearing a bomb around her waist? How about shooting the enemy within 30 feet, watch him fall dead and then having to walk past the body as you advance?
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Those going through these stages today can still be saved. If you know a veteran or active duty person who isolate or starts drinking or using drugs they can be helped. Have a loved one or peer (fellow veteran) step in. Call a member of the clergy and ask if he/she can help a veteran with Moral Injury or help you find one. If having trouble finding one, call the VA hospital and get the chaplain for help. Then take the veteran to that clergy. Ensure the veteran that the time spent with the is very private. Most veterans suffering get the label PTSD, that gives them the Mental Disorder label so they will avoid medical help. This must be done with love and care. The peer may have the best advantage having been in the service and understands the problem.