Suicides in the Ranks—Something is Seriously Wrong in the Military

[Judi Lynn]

Suicides in the Ranks—Something is Seriously Wrong in the Military

By: Jack Dalton

www.OpEdNews.com

“You’re a f…ing faggot conscientious objector” was what young Trent Helpkamps company 1st Sgt told him—publicly, again. This took place at the Separation Barracks at the Marine Corps base Camp Geiger next to Camp Lejeune, S.C. where Trent has been living for the past 10 months awaiting discharge…a discharge that still has not materialized! Less than a week after this confrontation with his 1st Sgt, Trent swallowed a handful of pills. After which Trent stated, “I just didn’t care if I ever woke up…” If this does not point to something seriously wrong in today’s military, I don’t know what does.

Trent’s story points out the absolute need to get military recruiters out of this nation’s high schools! And get them out we must! At least as they exist and currently operate on the grounds of high schools today.

How many more “suicides” by young people in the military is it going to take before this nation wakes up to what is happening to young people; to us a nation? We truly have become the monster we have always professed to be fighting.

“Is this what we have allowed this nation to become? Lives that are not our own, but the states to do with as it will when it will? That’s not an all volunteer military, that’s called forced indenture—once it was called slavery.”
(snip/...)

http://opednews.com/dalton_062005_suicides_in_ranks.htm

[justinsb]

1. One good thing about a draft I guess

is it makes everyone more reluctant to go to war

[SouthernDem2004]

2. This is far from new...

When I was in basic years ago we had one guy in my platoon takes pills. Another platoon had someone jump out a 2nd floor window. (Yea, he was a moron.)

These things happen. The military is not for everyone. Some people can not handle the training.

[DIKB]

3. Good Lord

This is just sickening, not only that he's being bullied and targeted for trying to get a discharge via C.O. status, but that him and others like him are being harassed by other marines. . . it's horrendous.

2 Questionable Suicides ??? Call it straight, they were MURDERED for not being good little HIRED THUGS. I can't help but feel this "war" is my generation's Vietnam. When will we learn ?