The Army is investigating a stunning number of suicides in January — a count that could surpass all combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan last month. According to figures obtained by The Associated Press, there were 24 suspected suicides in January, compared to only four in January of 2008. Yearly suicides have been rising steadily since 2004 amid increasing stress on the force from long and repeated tours of duty to America's two ongoing wars. The alarming monthly count follows an annual report last week showing that soldiers killed themselves at the highest rate on record in 2008. The toll for all of last year — 128 confirmed and 15 pending investigation — was an increase for the fourth straight year and even surpassed the suicide rate among civilians.

The Army needs to start counseling all of it's soldiers that have been overseas. If suicide is such a risk right now that there is more danger from that than dying in combat something has to be done immediately. Increasing awareness and counseling by doctors and chaplains should be par for the course by now. Up echelons need to realize that our softer society has not prepared these young men and women for the horrors of war. And the military would be failing them if they did not supply support when they return stateside. What can the Army do to prevent more suicides?

Read the Full Story