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May 29, 2009
Ft. Campbell undergoes stand-down as Army suicides reach highest level in nearly 30 years
ABC World News (5/27, story 7, 2:45, Gibson) reported that on May 27, commanders at Fort Campbell, KY, "ordered an extraordinary three-day stand-down, all activity on the base to stop, while personnel of all ranks work to identify and help soldiers at risk of suicide.
The number of Army suicides has been growing at an alarming rate." In fact, "since 1 January, Fort Campbell has had 11 suicides." Correspondent Martha Raddatz pointed out that "Army suicides are now at the highest level in nearly 30 years."
But, "what is surprising about the suicide statistics is that it is not the soldiers who have deployed two, three, or four times to Iraq or Afghanistan." Instead, "it is soldiers who are on their very first deployment who are at the greatest risk. Ninety percent of the soldiers who kill themselves are younger enlisted males."
Related Links:
- "Combat Stress Gives Military Pause," Martha Raddatz, ABC News, May 27, 2008.
Posted by admin at May 29, 2009 01:19 PM