In Memoriam

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From the DOD website -

The Army released suicide data today for the month of June. Among active duty soldiers, there were 21 potential suicides: one was confirmed as a suicide, and 20 remain under investigation. For May, the Army reported 10 potential suicides among active duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, four have been confirmed as suicides, and six remain under investigation.

During June 2010, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 11 potential suicides: one was confirmed as suicide, and 10 remain under investigation. For May, among that same group, there were 13 total suicides. Of those, two were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death.

For reference, the Army's total for the first half of calendar year 2009 was 88 for active duty and 42 for reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty. For the first half of 2010, the totals were 80 for active duty and 65 for reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty.

“Our suicide prevention efforts must continue to be directed at all members of the Army family – our soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and families – during the busy summertime transition period,” said Col. Chris Philbrick, director, Army Suicide Prevention Task Force. “The crucial elements are still caring, concern and decisive leadership. There will never be a substitute for a noncommissioned officer, first-line supervisor or friend who knows when a person is suffering and has the moral courage to act and get that individual the help they need. That ability to make a positive difference is the best method to render effective suicide prevention in the Army,” Philbrick said.

Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact Military OneSource or the Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center. Trained consultants are available from both organizations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

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England


From the British Department of Defence - guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Appropriately posted in the Dog House.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...edRecruits.htm

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13 July 2010

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade, and small arms fire.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke, 23,of Minn.

Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout, 34, of Worthville, Ky.

Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate, 27, of Hinesville, Ga.

1st Lt. Goeke and Staff Sgt. Stout were assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Tate was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

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14 July 2010

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.



Killed were:

Spc. Chase Stanley, 21, of Napa, Calif.
Spc. Jesse D. Reed, 26, of Orefield, Penn.
Spc. Matthew J. Johnson, 21, of Maplewood, Minn.
Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher, 24, of Ballwin, Mo.

They died July 14 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their military vehicle with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.

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Great Britain

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sergeant David Thomas Monkhouse, 35, from Aspatria; The Royal Dragoon Guards, was killed in Afghanistan, yesterday, Saturday 17 July 2010.

Sergeant Monkhouse, serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North), was killed in an explosion in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province.

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Great Britain

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Marine Jonathan David Thomas Crookes, 26, Halesowen, West Midlands. From 40 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan on Friday 16 July 2010.

Marine Jonathan David Thomas Crookes, from Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand Province.

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Great Britain

Just wondered about the different announcment notices, where the GB
ones also mention the words "with sadness" and the USDOD just says the
standard "in support of OEF". Wonder why we don't express some sympathy
too? Not really important, I guess, just wondered.