President Obama and rise in military suicides

President Obama and rise in military suicides
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 26, 2014

The murder-suicide of a female soldier's family soon after she came home from Afghanistan, certainly raises a lot of questions. One of the questions is centered around military families and their need for mental health-support services.

Murder-suicide at Fort Hood raises questions Incident forces look at psychological stress on troops' families.

"Experts and advocates say the incident raises questions about whether, even after 13 years of war, the military is paying enough attention to the psychological stress on families during troops' overseas deployments."

The answer is simple. The military is not doing enough for the troops or families but they make a different claim saying that after all these years of "doing something" about all of this, it is working.

They said it but facts are supported by the outcome and not simple words uttered during a press conference. The number of enlisted personnel has gone down however the number of suicides has not gone down accordingly. Certainly not enough to show any real progress in addressing the psychological impact of stress without end.

Karen Ruedisueli, the deputy director of government relations for the National Military Family Association, said such a study will be vital.

"Anecdotally we have heard that suicide rates among military families have increased," she said. "As deployments decrease ... people may think that behavioral health resources for families are no longer needed. The residual effects will be long-lasting."

Yet while the questions need to be answered, the biggest question not being asked is how did the increase in suicides and mental health issues increase after President Obama pushed to reduce them?

August 28, 2008
Spc. Chris Dana's story told to Obama by step brother
Stepbrother tells guardsman's story to Obama
Helena soldier took his own life after tour of duty in Iraq
By LAURA TODE
Of The Gazette Staff

Montana National Guard Spc. Chris Dana will never know the impact his life and ultimately his death may someday have on the lives of veterans nationwide.

Dana took his life in March 2007, less than two years after returning from a tour in Iraq. His family believes he was a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder, brought on by his combat experience.

Since Dana's death, his stepbrother Matt Kuntz has campaigned for more awareness of the costs of untreated post-traumatic stress syndrome in Iraq war veterans.

Wednesday, he was invited to meet with Sen. Barack Obama to share the message he's been spreading statewide for more than a year. At a quiet picnic table at Riverfront Park, Obama sat across from Kuntz, his wife, Sandy, and their infant daughter, Fiona.

The link to this story is long gone however the post is still up on Wounded Times. On August 13, 2008, Editor and Publisher had a question by Greg Mitchell, Why Isn't the Press on Suicide Watch? In 2007 I asked the same question with a long list of names attached.

Looking back, the truth is, while 2012 was the highest year for military suicides, the number of deployed troops was at the lowest during both wars.

Troops strength

But just looking at DOD numbers, we see only part of the story. To get a proper perspective, we have to take a look at the veterans these two wars created. This is as of 11/11/11

THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED

22,658,000

In the decade since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, 2,333,972 American military personnel had been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or both, as of Aug. 30,2011. Of that total, 1,353, 627 have since left the military and 711,986 have used VA health care between fiscal year 2002 and the third-quarter fiscal year 2011.

The VA's Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a non-profit whose mission is to improve the lives of veterans, points out that 38 per 100,000 of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans using VA health care committed suicide during latest data available. There is very little information about veterans not using VA health care. Compare that to 11.5 deaths per 100,000 for the general public.

The last Suicide Event Report from the Department of Defense was released in 2012 for 2011. In the report detailed information included branches as well as attempted suicides. As of January 2014, they have not released the report for 2012. We still do not know how many military personnel committed suicide in 2013 other than what the Army reported up to November.

For calendar year 2013, there have been 139 potential active duty suicides.

For calendar year 2013, there have been 139 potential not on active duty suicides (89 Army National Guard and 50 Army Reserve)

The exact same number. 139 Army and 139 Citizen soldiers.

In the same report, the DOD updated the numbers for Army suicides in 2012

Updated active duty suicide numbers for calendar year 2012: 185 (184 have been confirmed as suicides, and one remains under investigation).

They also updated the Army National Guards and Army Reservists

Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for calendar year 2012: 140 (93 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve): 140 have been confirmed as suicides and none remain under investigation.

2009 was the year they increased their efforts for addressing suicides and encouraging soldiers to seek help. Or at least that was what they claimed. Comprehensive Soldier Fitness feeding the term "resilient" has been behind the increase in suicides.

If you doubt this then all you have to do is take a look at Vietnam and see what the numbers were back then for the entire war.

Casualty Category for Vietnam War
Number of Records

ACCIDENT 9,107
DECLARED DEAD 1,201
DIED OF WOUNDS 5,299
HOMICIDE 236
ILLNESS 938
KILLED IN ACTION 40,934
PRESUMED DEAD (BODY REMAINS RECOVERED) 32
PRESUMED DEAD (BODY REMAINS NOT RECOVERED) 91
SELF-INFLICTED 382
Total Records 58,220

This has nothing to do with politics but everything to do with the lack of attention by the press on military suicides. They report on the headlines they want us to know but avoid asking any real questions. If you think things are as bad as they are going to get, they are going to get worse according to history. In October of 2007 there was this report 148,000 Vietnam Vets sought help in last 18 months and the number of Vietnam veterans committing suicide went up afterwards as well. The last deaths tied to the Vietnam War were in 1975 but as you can see, those numbers were not the end of the story. The end of the OEF and OIF wars have yet to be written but if we do nothing, the numbers will tell the story of how much we cared and what we did to change the outcome.

For starters, why have suicides gone up among the troops and veterans after President Obama pushed for changes? Why have they gone up after the DOD pushed "resilience" in Comprehensive Soldier Fitness? Why hasn't anyone been held accountable?

The story of the Fort Hood murder-suicide investigation deserves attention however the questions that should have been asked all these years have received no attention at all.

Marines shoot down Obama "girly hat" internet rumor

Do me a favor. Whenever you read a story on a blog, including mine, if they do not link back to the original story, find it yourself before you look really stupid when the truth comes out. You are way smarter than the jerks starting this stuff. Then do yourself a favor and stop reading what they decide they can fool you with.  The fake story is all over the internet.

Marines shoot down Internet story on Obama’s alleged push for ‘girly hats’
Stars and Stripes
By Jennifer Hlad
Published: October 24, 2013

The story is sweeping the Internet: President Barack Obama is trying to emasculate male Marines by making them wear a girly cover with their famed dress uniforms. The only problem? It’s not true.

First, some background: Men and women in the Marine Corps currently wear different types of covers as part of their dress and service uniforms. The manufacturer of the women’s “bucket cover” – which has a distinctly different shape than the men’s cover – is going out of business and will not continue to make the cap, according to the Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps also has been asked by the DoD to find a unisex option for a dress and service cover, Marines said.

So, the Marine Corps Uniform Board, which meets quarterly, decided to gather feedback in advance of its meeting next week. Active and Reserve Marines were asked to vote on whether they believe women should adopt the current male cover, with some small modifications, or for all Marines to adopt what they call the Dan Daly cap.

Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly, a two-time Medal of Honor recipient who yelled, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” as he led Marines into the fight at Belleau Wood during World War I, wore a cap similar to the option proposed by the survey.
read more here

UPDATE

Sorry but I can't let this go.

Why do people waste so much time pushing rumors but spend no time at all on what is really happening? Seems to be that Congress and the DOD spending billions a year would be enough to be upset about since suicides went up. What do these pretend "patriots" push? What they hate passing it off as out of love. Would be a lot more patriotic to save some lives and do some good in this country instead.

Ok, I'm done.

Obama Signs Military Death Benefits Bill

Obama Signs Military Death Benefits Bill
The Huffington Post
By Ashley Alman
Posted: 10/10/2013

President Barack Obama signed into law a bill providing benefits to the families of fallen troops during the government shutdown on Thursday.

The bill, which passed the House and Senate with unanimous approval, guarantees that family members of deceased soldiers continue to receive death gratuities and other survivor benefits from the Pentagon.

On Wednesday, the White House said Obama was "disturbed" to find that families of fallen troops weren't receiving death benefits during the shutdown.

The administration had worked out a temporary solution before the bill was signed, in which the Fischer House Foundation would make payments to the soldiers' families from its own funds. The Defense Department planned to reimburse the foundation at the end of the shutdown.
read more here

President Obama Video Message to Troops and DoD Personnel on shutdown

President Obama Message to Troops and DoD Personnel on shutdown
Published on Sep 30, 2013
President Obama delivers a message to U.S. troops and Department of Defense personnel on the partial shutdown of the government.

Senate Clears Bill To Pay Military In Shutdown
AP
By ANDREW TAYLOR
Posted: 09/30/2013

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has adopted a bill to pay members of the military in case the government shuts down.

The unanimous voice vote Monday sends the legislation to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature.

The development came with just hours before a shutdown deadline at midnight.
read more here

Defund Congress Affordable Healthcare Coverage they get

Congress has the best healthcare coverage in the country and the taxpayers pay for it. Somehow that didn't translate into coming up with insurance for the rest of us to stay alive without bankrupting our families. After Congress passed the bill in the first place, some brats decided they would hold the country hostage to get rid of Obamacare no matter who got hurt. If they cared, these brats would have come up with a proper plan equal to the one they have for the people they were elected to represent. What did they do? They held about 50 votes to kill it instead of spending a fraction of their time to fix it. Then when that didn't work, they decided to pass a budget that defunds it even though it was only symbolic because they knew the Senate would reject it.

Well that happened so last night the House passed a budge that delays funding what they already approved. Amazing how they get to spend money and then refuse to pay for anything. Remember, that is how we ended up with sequestration and a lowering in our credit ranking but that wasn't bad enough for them.

During the election they whined about jobs but they haven't done anything to create jobs at the same time they said government does not create jobs. Must have made sense to them. It left the rest of us scratching our heads. They say a lot, spend a lot without any accountability but the worse thing is they also get a lot. Their expense reports are amazing considering we pay for what they do including their health insurance.

If we are not worthy of being able to see a doctor when we get sick then why should they be able to? Defund their healthcare and then they can prove we are all in this together. How fast do you think they'd fix the healthcare bill if that happened?

House Budget Vote Passes In Favor Of New Obamacare Deal-Breaker, Shutdown Looms
AP/The Huffington Post
Posted: 09/29/2013

The House voted early Sunday morning to pass a new continuing resolution, 231 to 192, which would fund the government thru Dec. 15.

The plan, which emerged on Saturday, would also impose a one-year delay of Obamacare and a full repeal of the law’s tax on medical devices.

"The House has again passed a plan that reflects the American people’s desire to keep the government running and stop the president’s health care law," House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement, adding, "Now that the House has again acted, it’s up to the Senate to pass this bill without delay to stop a government shutdown."

Even before the House voted, Senate Democrats pledged to reject the measure and the White House issued a statement vowing a veto in any event. Republicans are pursuing "a narrow ideological agenda ... and pushing the government towards shutdown," it said.

The Senate is not scheduled to meet until mid-afternoon on Monday, 10 hours before a shutdown would begin, and even some Republicans said privately they feared that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., held the advantage in the fast-approaching end game. If so, a House GOP rank and file that includes numerous tea party allies would soon have to choose between triggering the first partial shutdown in nearly two decades – or coming away empty-handed from their latest confrontation with Obama.
read more here

President Obama to join victims' families at Navy Yard shooting memorial

President Obama to join victims' families at Navy Yard shooting memorial
NBC News
By Elisha Fieldstadt
September 22, 2013

President Barack Obama and the first lady will join families of the victims of Monday’s deadly Navy Yard shooting at a memorial service in the nation’s capital on Sunday.

The service is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Washington Marine Barracks, just blocks from where authorities say Aaron Alexis shot and killed 12 navy yard workers on Monday afternoon and injured eight others.

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are all scheduled to attend. The president is expected to speak at 5:30 p.m.
read more here
UPDATE

President Obama joins victims' families at Navy Yard shooting memorial

If the media gets so much wrong on veterans what else are they wrong about?

If the media gets so much wrong on veterans what else are they wrong about?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
August 12, 2013

This is one of those morning when I think I have been doing this work too long. I track news reports across the country and pretty sick over the lack of ethics too many journalists are fine with.

This morning it was a report from WSYR news on how many claims are filed by veterans that got me really disgusted. There is no name associated with the report on President Obama and his speech at the DAV convention. It is safe to assume this person wasn't even there because I was and what was reported by WSYR was not what he said. Worse, it isn't even the truth about VA claims.

SYRACUSE (WSYR-TV) - President Barack Obama unveiled a series of initiatives over the weekend to help improve benefits for veterans, specifically focusing on education and health.

Currently, one million disability claims are filed every month from vets returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan.

Many return home with life-altering injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or even suicidal tendencies.

This is what he had to say about VA Claims at 1:47 in on the video.

"We completed a million claims a year" at 2:35 in.

There are only 22 million veterans in this country and of them less than 4 million are in the VA system. The report above says that a million claims are filed every month. That is irresponsible. How many people will read that "news report" and think it is the truth instead of fact checking what is not even close to reality? The press does it all time. They pick what they want to report on. The truth is they continue to ignore the simple fact that most of the claims are from Vietnam veterans. They represent the largest group in the new claims as well as the "backlog" but it is easy to forget them. The newer veterans are the only ones they really want to report about.

While most media outlets were taking apart what President Obama had to say on Saturday, I filmed the whole thing so it is astonishing to me seeing how they spin it the way they want people to "know" what he said in the over 30 minute speech. Shouldn't really shock me since they do it all the time and then politicians along with other reporters take those pieces, chop them up some more and comment as if they heard the whole thing.

Just like most reports say that he was on vacation Saturday when hundreds of disabled veterans were in the Hilton ballroom after getting through security to hear Mrs. Obama speak first and then followed up by the President. If that was a "vacation day" and he spent part of it getting to Orlando, talking to us, getting out of Orlando, then that is pretty amazing. He didn't show up in his golfing clothes. As you can see, he had on a suit and tie.

President Obama on the sequester hitting veterans

This is the last in the series of the speech he gave yesterday at the DAV convention. If you only heard part of what he said, that would depend on who wants to spin it the way they want to. This is the whole part of that speech.
 

President Obama on our new generation of veterans

Another in a series. This one addresses our OEF and OIF veterans coming home and still giving back, taking care of other veterans.
 

President Obama talks about Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg

Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg The Army Ranger was injured in Afghanistan in 2009 on his 10th tour of duty.
 

American Weekend interview on President Obama's DAV Speech

I just got off the radio with American Weekend. Paul Harris seemed a bit shocked when I said that veterans had to fight the VA when they came home after fighting for us. The truth is, it isn't new. I pointed out that as far as that goes, in 2009 Veterans for Common Sense filed a law suit because VA had a claims backlog of over 900,000.

But that isn't anything new really. Veterans for Common Sense has been taking the lead on most of the issues involving our veterans, like this from January of 2009,

Iraq and Afghanistan battlefield injuries and deaths number 81,361, up from 72,043 last January, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Veterans for Common Sense (VCS). Veteran patients - including those who didn't seek care until their return home - shot up to 400,304 (from 263,909 in December 2007).

For the thousands of soldiers flooding the VA, mental illness tops the list of ailments. Forty-five percent of VA patients have already been diagnosed with mental health conditions, including a startling 105,000 diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These data do not include the incalculable number of mentally ill veterans who have not received a diagnosis or haven't sought treatment at the VA.

But this was topped off with the lawsuit filed because the VA was lying about how many veterans were committing suicide.

But things were not really fixed going back to 2007.

The VA's current backlog is 800,000 cases Earlier this year, using the clout that only major broadcast networks seem capable of mustering, CBS News contacted the governments of all 50 states requesting their official records of death by suicide going back 12 years. They heard back from 45 of the 50. From the mountains of gathered information, they sifted out the suicides of those Americans who had served in the armed forces. What they discovered is that in 2005 alone -- and remember, this is just in 45 states -- there were at least 6,256 veteran suicides, 120 every week for a year and an average of 17 every day.

The truth is no political party is getting the job done. When President Bush was in the Oval office for the last two years, the Democrats had control of the House. As we've seen by what is happening today, they didn't get it fixed all the way. While it may have cleared up some of the backlog, it all got repeated again. Is anyone paying attention to this stuff? Does Congress? Hell no!

President Obama won't hold anyone accountable and Congress won't. The military won't. The VA won't. So who really cares about the veterans?

Paul wanted to know if there was a link between the backlog of claims and suicides. The answer is yes. I've seen what claims not being honored does veterans and families. It happened to us but that was back in 1999, six years after my husband's claim was filed.

So what exactly does supporting the troops really mean?

President Obama on jobs and eduction for our veterans

President Obama at the DAV convention in Orlando. This one addresses jobs and education for our veterans.

President Obama on our Veterans

Part of the series of President Obama's speech to the DAV Convention yesterday in Orlando Florida.

President Obama addresses homeless veterans

President Obama's speech at the DAV Convention in Orlando yesterday. This one addresses homeless veterans

President Obama on Military Suicides

Part Two of President Obama's speech at the DAV Convention in Orlando Florida yesterday. This on addresses Military Suicides and PTSD

President Obama on VA Backlog

Yesterday at the DAV Convention in Orlando President Obama talked for over 30 minutes. He covered a lot of subjects so I'll be breaking them down in a series of videos so you can find the topic you care most about. This one is one the VA Backlog.

I had to film it off the screen because people kept getting in the way to take pictures.

We have to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops

I am still working on the full speech President Obama gave yesterday. He talked for about half an hour and since every part of it deals with the troops and veterans, I don't want to leave any of it out. I think it will turn into several videos so that I can do a live fact check on what he said.

A couple of reporters asked me what I thought of his speech. I told the that since I track all these reports, what he said is true however the only issue I have with President Obama is that he is not holding anyone accountable for the rise in suicides. After all, he's been working on saving lives since 2008 when as still a Senator Obama traveled to the Montana National Guard because of a suicide that left many in shock.

Anyway you can read more of that later but here's part of the speech at the DAV Convention yesterday.

Obama says backlog reduced in veterans' disability claims
CNN
By Michael Martinez
August 10, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
"We have to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops," Obama says
Veterans must have "the opportunity to pursue the American dream," he adds
Obama announces $100 million to research PTSD and traumatic brain injury
One attendee criticizes Obama on accountability for skyrocketing suicides

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama unveiled initiatives Saturday in education and health for war veterans and highlighted how his administration has reduced by 20% the government's woeful backlog of veterans' disability claims.

"We're turning the tide. We're not going to let up until we eliminate the backlog once and for all," Obama told a gathering of disabled veterans in Florida.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have overwhelmed the Department of Veterans Affairs with disability applications.

"It results in longer waits. That's been unacceptable to me," Obama said.

He acknowledged that the 20% dent isn't enough.

"I'm going to be honest with you. It has not moved as fast as I wanted," Obama said.

Obama also put attention on the growing suicide rate among veterans. His administration increased spending for VA mental heath services by 7.2%, and the veterans agency has increased the capacity of its crisis line by 50%.

"We also need to keep improving mental health services because we have to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops," Obama said.

The White House announced Saturday a National Research Action Plan to reduce soldier suicides and treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Under the initiative, the VA, Pentagon and other federal agencies will share data to advance research. The University of Texas and Virginia Commonwealth University will receive $100 million from the VA and Defense Departments to research PTSD and the links between traumatic brain injury and mental health issues.

Obama also rolled out another initiative with 250 higher-education institutions to help war veterans complete their degrees.

Obama made his remarks in Orlando, Florida, before more than 3,000 people attending the annual convention of Disabled American Veterans, an advocacy group deploring the one- or even two-year delays of processing disability claims and urging more mental health care for returning servicemen.

When Obama announced the $100 million in research, many in the crowd of seniors wearing military caps shouted, "Yeah, let's go!"
read more here

Disabled American Veterans Convention is today

I am heading to the Disabled American Veterans Convention in Orlando.

Among the events happening is President Obama speaking today and a concert by Gary Sinise Lt. Dan Band tomorrow night. He has been very busy working hard for our veterans.

Lt. Dan Band Plays For Big Crowd At Stage AE To Raise $ For Wounded Vet

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Thousands of people showed up to see actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band at Stage AE Friday night.

It was a benefit concert for Sgt. Doug Vitale who was severely injured in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED.

The Gary Sinise Foundation and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation are raising money to build Sgt. Vitale and his wife Alexis a “smart house” equipped with devices to help them live as independently as possible.
read more here

I hope to shoot some great video on this fabulous weekend and I'll put it up as soon as possible. There won't be much posting done today and tomorrow but I'll put up as much as I can.

White House, VA Launch Nationwide Community Mental Health Summits

White House, VA Launch Nationwide Community Mental Health Summits
VAntage
by Robert Petzel
July 11, 2013

At VA, and in communities across our grateful nation, we are all committed to the health and well-being of the men and women who have served in uniform and their families. The invisible wounds of war follow our Veterans as they return, and it is our responsibility to proactively engage Veterans and promote their recovery.

We at VA don’t just treat post-traumatic stress disorder, or depression, or substance abuse. We treat complex human beings, and we help them reintegrate into a life of family and community. Last year, more than 1.3 million Veterans received specialized mental health care from the VA.

On June 3, VA announced it had hired more than 1,600 additional mental health clinical providers to expand Veterans’ access to high quality mental health services and meet the goal outlined in the President’s Executive Order. While VA has been expanding its mental health resources, we recognize that we cannot meet all the needs and challenges alone — we must collaborate and partner with other federal agencies, community based organizations, health care providers, Veteran Service Organizations, and local governments.

Last month, President Obama directed all 152 VA medical centers nationwide to host Community Mental Health Summits. These summits will promote awareness and utilization of VA mental health resources, help Veterans gain access to community services, and build healthy communities for Veterans and their families. I’m pleased to report that our Summits will begin this month and our facilities are eager to host these summits in ways that will be meaningful for the participants.
read more here

Biggest reason Obama sucks at his job

Biggest reason President Obama sucks at his job
Wounded Times Blog
Kathie Costos
July 8, 2013

I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. Both sides have been playing politics for far too long and we have been on the losing end. I just don't trust politicians any more than I trust talking heads on TV taking sides instead of reporting the facts and letting us decide.

President Obama hasn't been as bad as some say. As a matter of fact he has pushed for a lot of good changes in the VA to make up for the way Vietnam veterans were treated. He made it easier for them to refile PTSD and Agent Orange claims even though he knew it would make the VA backlog deeper. The truth is, Vietnam veterans were dying while the VA just denied them the care they wouldn't need had they not been sent to Vietnam. He has increased the budget for the VA. So while that is good, while he shows he cares, he has not shown that he understands much about what is behind all of this. Washington would not be pleased.

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." -- George Washington

No one president has done everything everyone needed. There will always be complaints from all sides. For me it is the fact that since has become President, military suicides have gone up every year and bottomless pit of funding has not slowed down. No one is held accountable. Is he afraid of the Joint Chiefs? Why hasn't he held them accountable for what has been going on in the military? Does he read the news stories or does he just trust the reports they decide to tell him about?

2008 Suicides
Air Force 45
Army 140
Marine Corps 42
Navy 41

2009 Suicides
Air Force 43
Army 164
Marine Corps 52
Navy 47

2010 Suicides
Air Force 60
Army 160
Marine Corps 37
Navy 38

2011 Suicides
Air Force 50 and 241 attempted suicides in 251 incidences
Army 167 and 432 attempted suicides in 440 incidences
Marine Corps 32 and 156 attempted suicide in 157 incidences
Navy 52 and 87 attempted suicide

Department of Defense Suicide Event Report for 2011

For 2011 there were 935 attempted suicides in the military with 915 individuals trying to kill themselves. 896 tried once, 18 tried twice and 1 tried three times.

While the total suicides for 2012 has not been released in the much anticipated Suicide Event Report researchers have been waiting six months for, this gives you an idea of what had been reported.

Army 182
Army National Guards 96
Army Reserves 47
Marine Corps 48
Air Force 59
Navy 60

The biggest reason is, as Commander-in-Chief more servicemen and women have died after combat than during it. It is not that he was not aware of any of this. In 2008 he showed just how much he cared when he went to the Montana National Guard while sitting on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and running for the office of Commander-in-Chief. Why? Spc. Chris Dana committed suicide and he knew then that much had to be done to save the lives of the men and women after they survived combat.

As for Congress we should have absolutely no faith in them since they have ignored this for far too long. No one has been held accountable. They want to keep holding hearings based on politics but this one issue that all Americans should join forces for has been met with hearing after hearing while no one hears anything new.

WHERE ARE THE SUICIDE REPORTS FROM THE ARMY FOR MAY AND JUNE? WHERE IS THE SUICIDE EVENT REPORT FOR 2012?