Posted on 06/08/2010 1:01:26 PM PDT by NativeNewYorker
WASHINGTON, June 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Marines are trying to commit suicide at a record pace this year, despite a program begun last year aimed at preventing such attempts, Corps data indicate.
Statistics indicate 89 Marines tried to take their own lives through May, most often by overdose or by cutting, USA Today reported.
Projections indicate there will be more than 210 attempted suicides this year, military officials said. In 2009 a record 164 attempted suicides were recorded.
The Marines last year introduced a training program for sergeants and corporals aimed at suicide education, urging them to learn more about their younger Marines.
"We continue to maintain that this is an issue of leadership and getting our Marines who need help to the care they deserve," Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, deputy commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs, told USA Today. "In every case, there is a unique life to understand behind the statistics."
“The prvalence of suicide, without doubt, is a test of height of civilization; it means that the population is winding up its nervous and intellectual system to the utmost point of tension and that sometimes it snaps.”
Havelock Ellis; “The Dance of Life”
As usual, no comparison to civilian suicide rates to put the problem in context. Just another attempt to portray the military as damaged, stressed out and mentally unbalanced.
But of course when suicide rates between military and non military are compared, suddenly that meme is exposed as another lie of the left.
They are medicating these guys to the max. It needs to stop.
That’s too bad that they aren’t really seeing the forest through the trees. The military is one of the few “20 and out” pension systems left. They may not make much on paper, but with all the other alowances it adds up. Not to mention they can get free education and retire to a new career.
My son went through boot camp last last (San Diego MCRD) and told me stories about recruits who had no business being in the Marines. One was even told by a DI he was out, after dumping his pack and weapon on the Crucible, but then mysteriously graduated with his platoon. The pressure for retention and PC is getting men sent to the field who should be home with mama.
They are deploying these guys to the max. It needs to stop.
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