http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/us...anted=all&_r=0
I think there needs to be help for returning soldiers to re-acclimate to civilian life, but what does the 'gun' have to do with suicide other than method? BTW, this is not sarcasm, this is an interesting and timely issue that needs to be addressed, but how?
Fairness leads to extinction much faster than harsh parameters.
1) Operational tempo.Originally Posted by BaiHu
2) Leaders not being dicks and unnecessarily ruining peoples' lives. When someone is already having marriage troubles because you're making them work 70 hours a week in what is suppose to be their "down time" after a deployment, it's probably a bad idea to recall everyone at 5pm on Valentines day to clean humvees until 10 at night that were another units responsibility anyway. Granted, some of this comes from the op tempo, but it's probably worse that a lot of guys get treated like complete and absolute shit. There's a plethora of horrible leaders out there that are more focused on themselves and pleasing their boss instead of doing what a leader is suppose to: run interference for their guys, and make them succeed through their own virtues. Some d-bag reads a book about how some cruel general won a war by using fear to motivate his troops, and all the sudden they take that as PME on how they should run their people. It's amazing what happens when you treat people like professionals instead of treating them like completely inept cannon fodder.
3) The military is overrun with a "leadership by powerpoint" mentality and doctrine right now, and is entrenched in centralized command and micromanagement as opposed to a decentralized command. Look at that article......their solution to suicide is powerpoint briefings on the dangers of suicide. Wow. They're really smart policy makers.......
Last edited by TGS; 10-08-2012 at 11:26 AM.
We promote to the highest level of incompetence.
Yes, it does need to be addressed. But as always, it's not the guns that are the problem, it is the mental health that is the issue. Only dude I have known in the service who offed himself did it with a web belt from the top bunk of his rack. Guys with mental health conditions who have deteriorated so far that suicide has become an option, need immediate professional and friend/family intervention. Without it, they will find a way to meet their objective, guns or not.
That ain't no way for a soldier to die.
You can get much more of what you want with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone.
"Huge", huh?the military has begun taking small steps to encourage gun safety, including giving away trigger locks at a recent Pentagon health fair. “You’ve got to realize the cultural change when trigger locks are given out in the Pentagon,” said Bruce Shahbaz, an Army suicide prevention expert. “That’s huge.”
<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/us/with-military-suicides-rising-new-policies-take-shape.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all>
No mention of any effect on the suicide rate, just "huge."
100% spot on and correct. Not to mention if someone DOES ask for help, there is still a very negative stigma attached to doing so, so they remain silent until it's too late. Again, this can be addressed with good leadership, but often isn't.
For a career super lifer, the negative stuff from seeking mental health assistance is minimal. But the bulk of our all volunteer force does not stay forever. And while it doesn't affect security clearances and the like for the active duty folks, those who get out, and want a job in say LE or EMS, having a PTSD or suicidal diagnosis, even from several years prior will effect the candidates chance of getting hired. It will stick with you forever, just like a Big Chicken Dinner.
You can get much more of what you want with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone.
HA ha...hahaha.......hahahahah!
Agreed. The suicide in my command was with a handgun, and at least 1 other attempted suicide was also with a handgun. Oh, and in both the handguns were in the BEQ....but barracks are gun free zones to prevent gun problems,[sarcasm] so how could that be!? [/sarcasm] Not sure what was used for the other attempts. But, it's just like crime. To the main stream populace, it's not just "violence." It's "gun violence," as if it's somehow different from regular violence and everyone would be safer if there were no guns.
In the words of Archie Bunker, "Would it make you happier, little girl, if they was to jump from windows instead?"
Well, as TGS mentioned; it's not surprising that reducing op-tempo (or maybe making sure to adhere to the rules of "work hard, play" hard) and reducing the time wasting BS games isn't even considered.
#RESIST
It's okay now, they're implementing omega 3 smoothies now:
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/M...sk-3927877.php
Not saying that this isn't a potentially helpful preventitive, but I don't think they're enough smoothies to 'smooth' out some of the stressors these men/women shoulder.
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Fairness leads to extinction much faster than harsh parameters.
During our briefing on this someone suggested 18 month deployments as a reason for suicide and the capt giving the briefing shoot him down before anyone could blink.
Evil requires the sanction of the victim. - Ayn Rand
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