Critics say Army putting spin on Iraq suicides to avoid questions

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfAUG07/nf082707-1.htm
Army cites relationship problems for
suicides, but most blame extended deployments and PTSD.



Some veterans organizations, soldiers' relatives and psychiatrists are raising questions about an Army report that says no direction connection has been found between long troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and the army's highest suicide rate since the first Gulf War.

The Army report, released Aug. 16, said love and marriage problems were the main reasons for the highest rate of suicides since 1991. Nearly a third of the 99 who committed suicide in 2006 were in Iraq or Afghanistan.

"This is yet another example of the administration hiding the true costs of this war," said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

"From our troops to their spouses to family advocates - everyone agrees that extended deployments put added strain on families," Murray said. "To say that the strain of deployment is not a cause of (post-traumatic stress disorder) and suicide is the same kind of head-in-the-sand logic we've seen from this administration since the war began."

[BOSSHOG]

1. Jesus freaking Louise

Long troop deployments in a combat zone which is located in a hostile desert has nothing to do with one's desire to kill themselves??? Its love and marriage? Yeah, husband and wife separated. Spouse has an opportunity to cheat or fuck up the check book? Spouse gets dear john letters while sitting in a combat zone patrolling streets attempting to not get killed by IED's? And all because a deserter lied? Whoever is responsible for that report should do a 24 month study on the subject. On the ground. In Iraq.