AUSTIN, Texas - Leadership, screening recruits for compatibility
with military service and better post-deployment follow-up are among
solutions the acting director of the Army National Guard recently suggested
for the spike in Soldier suicides.
Speaking at a breakout session of 132nd general conference of the National
Guard Association of the United States here last month, Army Maj. Gen.
Raymond Carpenter continued sounding the alarm about the current suicide
rate. "We [could] be at 100 suicides by the end of this year," he said.
But Carpenter said it is not an intractable problem. "We have an incredible
amount of brainpower to put against this," he said. "We can solve this."
One piece of the suicide prevention mosaic: Leadership at every level.
"We all have a squad," Carpenter said, referring to the Soldiers immediately
around us, regardless of career field or unit structure. "I've got an
obligation ... to know who is in my organization and what's going on with them.
"If you're a squad leader, you're supposed to know your squad. You need to
know whether they're married, whether that have kids, whether they're going
to school, whether they have a job."
Carpenter periodically briefs the vice chief of staff of the Army on the Army
Guard's suicide rate and specific cases.
In one recent case, a Soldier enlisted in the active Army and was chaptered
out at Basic Combat Training, meaning he was separated for inability, lack of
effort, failure to adapt or discipline issues.
He re-enlisted, this time in the National Guard, again failing to complete
BCT, this time after a fight.
He enlisted a third time, again in the Guard, completed BCT and Advanced
Individual Training and returned home, where he had behavioral problems.
Issues included an injury, prescription drug and alcohol abuse, employment
and his marriage and culminated in his suicide. He had never deployed.
"I would not deny that young Soldier help," Carpenter said. "But we've got to
figure out whether people are the kind of people who are going to be able to
be Soldiers in our formations and do what is asked of them by this country. ...
"We as an organization should have taken a long look at whether that young
man was compatible with military service. Three times, and he finally got in.
...
"It isn't a deployment problem. It is primarily oriented on our younger
Soldiers. It has to do with significant emotional events in their lives, but
beyond that it has to do with their ability to cope."
A third piece of the solution was suggested by a second case Carpenter
recently briefed.
In this case, the Soldier had mobilized and deployed.
On his post-deployment health reassessment, the Soldier said he had suicidal
ideation, possible post traumatic stress and trouble sleeping and needed
help.
Although he saw Veterans Administration healthcare providers at least once
and was prescribed medication, he discouraged his wife from talking with his
unit to seek further help.
Carpenter suggested that more aggressive efforts must be made to help
troubled Soldiers before issues mushroom.
"We talk about being part of the Guard family," he said. "We're going to have
to walk the walk instead of talk the talk. ... The Soldier is the center of
gravity.
"Committing suicide is not a viable alternative. ... We've got to get to the
person who is making that decision. ... We have to make that a priority."
Carpenter mentioned National Guard suicide prevention programs in Arkansas,
California, New Hampshire and New Jersey. "There are some great things going
on out there," he said. "Every state has a great program."