Policy Under Review Has Had Mixed Applications

That policy, government officials have said, is based on concerns among senior military leaders that presidential letters of condolence might appear to condone or even encourage suicide.

Isn't the question whether the letter is for the survivors?

Yes. It's sad when this happens to anyone, military or not, but especially when it happens to someone who's young. From experience, I can tell you most low-level (company-grade) military officers, especially captains, are running scared all the time and rarely have the moral courage to argue with a major or a colonel, much less refuse to deal with the situation. It's just like supervisors who fear retribution or loss of job.

More need to be knocked in the head with a 2 x 4 until they get some perspective.

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Agreed, when my "War Hero Son" fought in Afghanistan his captain was like a 25 yo college punk who didn't no what the hell he was doing. All he was interested in was getting medals. he put 200 soldiers in many situations that was wrong. A 25 yo college PUNK should never have been put in charge of 200 of our fighting men.

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It seems the fact that there are a large number of suicides should be more troubling than whether or not a letter is sent. If I was the parent, the letter would not be an issue.

Not looking to post blame but the VA is somewhat at fault

unless you KNOW how to ask for help you wont get it and its the only place to go --

i have first hand experence with seeing a long time friend who took his life because of policy at the VA - jz

I know I will likely regret this . . .

How can the VA be responsible for troop suicides . . . when they weren't, and will never have, any contact with the Veterans Administration?

Was it the mere thought of being a client of the VA upon discharge so traumatic that they took their own lives than face such a fate?

any Mental Heigene issue is refered to the VA as a field or post infirmary does not have the ability to deal with it ---------

having said that any soldier going to MH is a goner he will be discharged --

why would you regret the right answer ?????????????? -- jz

Does the VA also treat active duty solders, or is it only after they are discharged?

Are their other facilities to treat deployed solders, or do they need to be sent back to the states?

i was discharged in 1970 i only know what was done then and i do not believe it counts today --

BuT i have seen and spoke to many of our active i happen accross in the VA -- if i see them i thank them for their service and shake their hand - i always wear my 101st airborne ball cap and for sure they converse with me they do make me proud for sure -

as i have seen they use the VA when on leave or have something special to have done when not in the field , in irak the doctors will treat anything that comes up or fly them to a place that can and will, could be a ship or Like Germany -- jz

It sounds like mental health issues need more attention, both for active and discharged personnel.

Its the deployments 12 and 18 month tours and 3 / 4 and 5 of them

i met a my guess 30 / 32 years old Marine sniper just back after his 4th tour and was compeled to go to MH as most snipers are NOT all think about that

he was not right that boy and he wanted to stay in, he said he had 8 years to retire he gets nothing if they discharge him


he said he had no other place to go and could not look at you while he talked hope he got help - jz

Multiple deployments are a sure way to have a lot of mental health issues.

I cannot imagine why they think condolence letters should be withheld from the families of suicides. They will grieve just as much or more than those killed in combat.

Goofy decision.

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