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Navy attempted suicide rate nearly 3 percent
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
The Navy’s attempted suicide rate — at 2.8 percent, or roughly 1 in every 35 sailors — was three times higher than in the previous survey, conducted in 2005.
By comparison, the attempted suicide rate in the Army was 2 percent, with the Marine Corps at 2.3 percent and the Air Force at 1.6 percent, according to the 2008 survey.
That was among many findings, which included broad, militarywide increases in illegal prescription drug use and “dangerous levels” of drinking, as service members have been subjected to the stress of war in recent years.
Combat deployment “is no doubt playing a part in the stress levels that we’re seeing,” said Jack Smith, acting deputy assistant secretary for clinical and program policy for the assistant defense secretary for health. “It’s a challenging environment.”
And Marines and soldiers, who are more likely to see combat than other service members, are showing higher rates of stress-related activities, Smith said.
But many of the survey’s trends reaffirm known problems, or simply put numbers to ideas that previously had been anecdotal.
The 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health-Related Behaviors Among Active-Duty Military Personnel included Coast Guardsmen for the first time. The survey of 28,546 service members included a mix of ages, genders, races and ranks. The results did not include troops who were deployed at the time of the survey.
Though report authors were quick to say that many unhealthy habits, such as smoking, have decreased significantly since they first began the survey in 1980, they noted that many have risen in recent years.
For example, the number of service members who have smoked in the past 30 days decreased from 51 percent in 1980 to 30 percent in 1998, but then increased to 34 percent in 2002 and was at 31 percent in 2008.
Illicit drug use, including prescription drugs such as muscle relaxants or painkillers, was at 28 percent in 1980, dropped to 3 percent in 2002 and rose to 12 percent in 2008.
This may be because so many service members have been injured and have had a hard time going off their medications — either because they are still in pain or because they have become addicted. Illegal drug use not including prescription medications was at 2 percent in 2008.
“I think that we’re still trying to determine the meaning of this,” Smith said. “It’s the first time we’ve drilled down on that as a major issue.”
The questionnaire has always asked about illegal prescription use, but the 2008 survey spelled it out in greater detail. Smith said recent studies show teenagers easily get prescription medications illegally, and that “people are known to swap and share” drugs.
About 42 percent of service members reported physical or sexual abuse, and 8 percent said they had been abused since joining the military.
“I think certainly it’s high,” Smith said. “I think we’re disturbed by those results.”
However, he said a substantial number of people in the military who said they have been sexually assaulted said it happened before they joined the services.
A high number of women — almost 50 percent of Marines and sailors, and 43 percent of soldiers — reported feeling stressed simply because they are women in the military.
“I think the survey results speak for themselves,” said Robert Bray, the principle investigator for the study. “Being one of a minority in a largely male force — particularly in a deployed force — is something we need to be aware of and give some attention to.”
Bray said some of the stress may come from being a single mother or having children at home during a deployment.
The survey also asked screening questions meant to determine whether a service member should be checked for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Service members go through this screening process when they return home from combat deployments, but the survey included troops who haven’t deployed, as well.
Of those surveyed, 11 percent met screening criteria for further evaluation for PTSD, and 14 percent met criteria for anxiety disorders. In addition, 5 percent “seriously considered” suicide in the past year.
About 1 in 5 service members reported being exposed to a blast, and 8 percent of soldiers said they had memory loss after the blast.
Posted : Thursday Dec 24, 2009 8:47:14 EST
Sailors attempted to commit suicide at rates significantly higher than the other services in 2008, according to a recent Defense Department-sponsored survey of service members.The Navy’s attempted suicide rate — at 2.8 percent, or roughly 1 in every 35 sailors — was three times higher than in the previous survey, conducted in 2005.
By comparison, the attempted suicide rate in the Army was 2 percent, with the Marine Corps at 2.3 percent and the Air Force at 1.6 percent, according to the 2008 survey.
That was among many findings, which included broad, militarywide increases in illegal prescription drug use and “dangerous levels” of drinking, as service members have been subjected to the stress of war in recent years.
Combat deployment “is no doubt playing a part in the stress levels that we’re seeing,” said Jack Smith, acting deputy assistant secretary for clinical and program policy for the assistant defense secretary for health. “It’s a challenging environment.”
And Marines and soldiers, who are more likely to see combat than other service members, are showing higher rates of stress-related activities, Smith said.
But many of the survey’s trends reaffirm known problems, or simply put numbers to ideas that previously had been anecdotal.
The 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health-Related Behaviors Among Active-Duty Military Personnel included Coast Guardsmen for the first time. The survey of 28,546 service members included a mix of ages, genders, races and ranks. The results did not include troops who were deployed at the time of the survey.
Though report authors were quick to say that many unhealthy habits, such as smoking, have decreased significantly since they first began the survey in 1980, they noted that many have risen in recent years.
For example, the number of service members who have smoked in the past 30 days decreased from 51 percent in 1980 to 30 percent in 1998, but then increased to 34 percent in 2002 and was at 31 percent in 2008.
Illicit drug use, including prescription drugs such as muscle relaxants or painkillers, was at 28 percent in 1980, dropped to 3 percent in 2002 and rose to 12 percent in 2008.
This may be because so many service members have been injured and have had a hard time going off their medications — either because they are still in pain or because they have become addicted. Illegal drug use not including prescription medications was at 2 percent in 2008.
“I think that we’re still trying to determine the meaning of this,” Smith said. “It’s the first time we’ve drilled down on that as a major issue.”
The questionnaire has always asked about illegal prescription use, but the 2008 survey spelled it out in greater detail. Smith said recent studies show teenagers easily get prescription medications illegally, and that “people are known to swap and share” drugs.
Stress and abuse
Nearly one-third of service members have smoked in the past 30 days, 18 percent reported high family stress, 23 percent reported stress from being away from their families, and 27 percent reported high levels of stress at work.About 42 percent of service members reported physical or sexual abuse, and 8 percent said they had been abused since joining the military.
“I think certainly it’s high,” Smith said. “I think we’re disturbed by those results.”
However, he said a substantial number of people in the military who said they have been sexually assaulted said it happened before they joined the services.
A high number of women — almost 50 percent of Marines and sailors, and 43 percent of soldiers — reported feeling stressed simply because they are women in the military.
“I think the survey results speak for themselves,” said Robert Bray, the principle investigator for the study. “Being one of a minority in a largely male force — particularly in a deployed force — is something we need to be aware of and give some attention to.”
Bray said some of the stress may come from being a single mother or having children at home during a deployment.
The survey also asked screening questions meant to determine whether a service member should be checked for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Service members go through this screening process when they return home from combat deployments, but the survey included troops who haven’t deployed, as well.
Of those surveyed, 11 percent met screening criteria for further evaluation for PTSD, and 14 percent met criteria for anxiety disorders. In addition, 5 percent “seriously considered” suicide in the past year.
About 1 in 5 service members reported being exposed to a blast, and 8 percent of soldiers said they had memory loss after the blast.
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Monday, December 21, 2009
Plight of contractor raped in Iraq spurs push in Congress
By Maria Recio | McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — Four years ago, Jamie Leigh Jones, a 20-year old Texas contract employee working in Iraq, was drugged, stripped, beaten and gang-raped by her co-workers on her fourth day in country. She finally managed to get a phone call out from the shipping container where she was being detained — by her employer, KBR, then a Halliburton company.
That call to her father led to a call to her congressman, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, and her rescue after Poe had the State Department locate her. But Jones' attempts at justice — and restitution — were blocked by a little-noticed compulsory arbitration clause in the contracts of private employees working for federal government contractors.
Now, a move by Congress last week, jump-started by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., would protect contract employees by ensuring they have legal recourse.
The provision is in the defense appropriations bill that the Senate approved Saturday after the House passed it Wednesday. It only needs the president's signature to become law.
"This amendment makes all the hard times that I have gone through, when going public with such a personal tragedy, worth every tear shed from telling and retelling my horrific experience," Jones said after the Senate first acted on the bill in October. Jones most recently testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October: "I know this amendment will save so many in the future."
Jones herself is not directly affected by the amendment. But after a hard-fought four-year battle, she won the right to sue her attackers and the company under a ruling in September by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Her case is expected to go to trial next year.
"The congressional amendment tracks the Fifth Circuit decision," said Poe. For Poe, a former Texas district judge who chairs the House's Victims' Rights Caucus and who has been one of Jones' strongest advocates, the new law is a milestone.
Under the congressionally approved provision, the federal government would not be able to do business with companies with $1 million or more in contracts that deny court hearings for victims of assault, false imprisonment or emotional distress. Victims of assault would be able to sue the employers of the alleged attacker, as well as the attacker. The Defense Department can apply a waiver for national security reasons.
Jones, now married and with a child — who she named after Poe — is a teacher, lives in a Houston suburb and advocates for victims through a foundation that bears her name.
Franken was the prime mover behind the legislation, which came about this fall after he was moved by her story.
"Jamie Leigh Jones is a strong, courageous woman, who used her own horrific experience to inspire change," said Franken in a statement.
"I am honored to know her, and honored to have been a part of her cause," Franken said. "I came to Washington to stand up for folks like Jamie Leigh, and stand up to the powerful interests that too often silence their voices."
The provision had a contentious debate in the Senate, where it passed in October 68-30 — engendering a vocal critique of the 30 all white, all male "no" voters, including Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court judge, said that he was a strong advocate for victims but he was opposed to a provision that would benefit trial lawyers.
All 17 female senators voted for the amendment.
"This kind of violent crime should not be obscured by politics or partisanship," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. "The fact is, a Texas woman serving our country in Iraq was brutally sexually assaulted. She deserves to have her day in court."
ON THE WEB
The Jamie Leigh Foundation
MORE FROM MCCLATCHY
N.C. Sen. Burr's Franken amendment vote draws criticism
Soldier's family brings fight with contractor to Congress
Fatal shootings of 14 Iraqis came after Blackwater was put on notice
British contractor arrested in two killings in Baghdad
Follow the latest politics news at McClatchy's Planet Washington
That call to her father led to a call to her congressman, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, and her rescue after Poe had the State Department locate her. But Jones' attempts at justice — and restitution — were blocked by a little-noticed compulsory arbitration clause in the contracts of private employees working for federal government contractors.
Now, a move by Congress last week, jump-started by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., would protect contract employees by ensuring they have legal recourse.
The provision is in the defense appropriations bill that the Senate approved Saturday after the House passed it Wednesday. It only needs the president's signature to become law.
"This amendment makes all the hard times that I have gone through, when going public with such a personal tragedy, worth every tear shed from telling and retelling my horrific experience," Jones said after the Senate first acted on the bill in October. Jones most recently testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October: "I know this amendment will save so many in the future."
Jones herself is not directly affected by the amendment. But after a hard-fought four-year battle, she won the right to sue her attackers and the company under a ruling in September by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Her case is expected to go to trial next year.
"The congressional amendment tracks the Fifth Circuit decision," said Poe. For Poe, a former Texas district judge who chairs the House's Victims' Rights Caucus and who has been one of Jones' strongest advocates, the new law is a milestone.
Under the congressionally approved provision, the federal government would not be able to do business with companies with $1 million or more in contracts that deny court hearings for victims of assault, false imprisonment or emotional distress. Victims of assault would be able to sue the employers of the alleged attacker, as well as the attacker. The Defense Department can apply a waiver for national security reasons.
Jones, now married and with a child — who she named after Poe — is a teacher, lives in a Houston suburb and advocates for victims through a foundation that bears her name.
Franken was the prime mover behind the legislation, which came about this fall after he was moved by her story.
"Jamie Leigh Jones is a strong, courageous woman, who used her own horrific experience to inspire change," said Franken in a statement.
"I am honored to know her, and honored to have been a part of her cause," Franken said. "I came to Washington to stand up for folks like Jamie Leigh, and stand up to the powerful interests that too often silence their voices."
The provision had a contentious debate in the Senate, where it passed in October 68-30 — engendering a vocal critique of the 30 all white, all male "no" voters, including Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court judge, said that he was a strong advocate for victims but he was opposed to a provision that would benefit trial lawyers.
All 17 female senators voted for the amendment.
"This kind of violent crime should not be obscured by politics or partisanship," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. "The fact is, a Texas woman serving our country in Iraq was brutally sexually assaulted. She deserves to have her day in court."
ON THE WEB
The Jamie Leigh Foundation
MORE FROM MCCLATCHY
N.C. Sen. Burr's Franken amendment vote draws criticism
Soldier's family brings fight with contractor to Congress
Fatal shootings of 14 Iraqis came after Blackwater was put on notice
British contractor arrested in two killings in Baghdad
Follow the latest politics news at McClatchy's Planet Washington
Drone Scandal
Not Just Drones: Militants Can Snoop on Most US Warplanes
Encryption of Drone Feeds Won't Finish Until 2014, Air Force Says
US Military
2 Million Troops Have Deployed Since 9/11
US Personnel in Iraq Could Face Court-Martial for Getting Pregnant
Not Just Drones: Militants Can Snoop on Most US Warplanes Encryption of Drone Feeds Won't Finish Until 2014, Air Force SaysUS Military
2 Million Troops Have Deployed Since 9/11 US Personnel in Iraq Could Face Court-Martial for Getting Pregnant | Pentagon Was Told of UAV Hacking Threat in 2004 |
| Pentagon Delays New Bunker Buster Bomb |
| Antiwar Marine Mom Makes Contact at Army Recruitment Center |
Marine Mom Makes Contact at Army Recruitment Center
Marine Mom Makes Contact at Army Recruitment Center
By Elaine BrowerFor the last year or so I have been watching the construction of a new "Army Career Center" located a block from my office in downtown Manhattan. Once a week I would pass it and it was always closed and covered with brown paper on the big plate glass windows. It is located in an ideal spot, of course, because the military hires consultants to make sure they get prime real estate to suck up the youth.
www.elainebrower.com
By Elaine BrowerFor the last year or so I have been watching the construction of a new "Army Career Center" located a block from my office in downtown Manhattan. Once a week I would pass it and it was always closed and covered with brown paper on the big plate glass windows. It is located in an ideal spot, of course, because the military hires consultants to make sure they get prime real estate to suck up the youth.
Today the Army Career Center had its grand opening,a gala event that packed the center. I was able to make it there, but not until the end of the ceremony, when everyone had pretty much left, except for the Sgt. in charge, Castillo, and the brass. They were sitting around enjoying their food and smiling when I walked into the center. I asked for Sgt. Castillo, and was taken to the back room where he was sitting, along with his commanding officer, and another young soldier. I shook hands all around and introduced myself and told them my son just returned from his third tour of duty.
I recounted his story of joining the Marine Corps. and being deployed to Afghanistan, and then to Iraq twice as a reservist. They were very impressed and asked me when did he return, and was he still in the Marines. Yes, I said, he was in the IRR at present, but is a New York City Police Officer as his full time job, which he has been doing for 5 years.
He was deployed twice while he was on the NYPD, and I told them that it was very hard for him to get his life started. They agreed and looked interested in the story.
I asked them about the local schools that they were so strategically placed next to, like the High School down the street, and Borough of Manhattan Community College. I said, "this is a good location for recruiting. You are so close to the schools and students pass your doors all day long. Do you plan on gaining entrance to the schools to do recruiting in the classes?" Sgt. Castillo said that they had asked permission and were awaiting approval, which he didn't think would be a problem. I thought to myself nor do I, of course. The war machine is more than welcome in our schools, at every level. But I continued. "I work right down the street." Sgt. Castillo asked where and who I worked for and I told him. He smiled and said "Wow, that's great."
I was sitting there in the back office, and then stated "I would like you to know that I am a member of a national organization called 'Military Families Speak Out' and it has about 4,000 members who all have loved ones who are serving or served in Iraq and Afghanistan. We oppose the wars vehemently and are doing everything in our power to stop them."
I thought they would choke on their food at that point. Then I proceeded to say, "Since I work right here, I, along with hundreds of my activist friends, will be your worst nightmare!"
As you could hear a pin drop and confusion spread all over their faces, I continued. "I am so against what you are doing. You strategically placed this recruiting center so that kids who are either coming out of high school with nowhere to go, or those who graduate college in lots of debt and no jobs because of the economy are enticed to join the military." "You are taking full advantage of the bad economy and sending more of our youth off to die and kill for illegal, immoral and illegitimate wars. You should be ashamed of yourselves and I don't know how you sleep at night."
I stood up, took a button off my handbag that I received while protesting at West Point. I said, "This button is for you." I slammed it on the desk. "I got it when I was protesting at West Point when Obama was giving his "escalation speech." It demands all troops home now, you can keep it as a reminder."
At that point I thought they would stand up and escort me out. But they were in such shock, after spending the morning celebrating their existence, to hear that now they would be up against an angry mom, and counter-recruiters, put their small pea brains on overload.
In the new age of Obama, recruiting is a cushy job. This place had it's doors open for a few days and already they are touting 11 new recruits. Those who would not fight and die for Bush, will do so under Obama which makes it extremely difficult to convince this generation of youth that joining this imperial military is not only bad for them, it's bad for humanity.
And so it goes, I know where to have lunch every day now. Getting in the way of the war machine is what I like to do best, and they couldn't have put this place in a better location, for me anyway!
www.elainebrower.com
Anti-war activist, mother of U.S. Marine currently on his way to Iraq for a 3rd tour of duty; member of Steering Committee for the "World Can't Wait, Drive Out the Bush Regime" and Military Families Speak Out.
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