US Navy: 9 suicides in 9 months on the USS George Washington

[ABNARTY]

There are tons of awareness classes and training. Chains of Command have probably never been more understanding of the problem. Yet, service members are committing suicide at much higher rates than I have witnessed since I went in in the early 90's. No one culprit has been determined. 

IMHO, I think it has something more to do with the state of society than the military itself. Or maybe just the juxtaposition of the two. Not sure. 

What is expected of you in the military has stayed rather static over the years but what is considered OK in civilian life has drifted much farther away. The contrast may be part of the problem. 

I am not saying young folks are too soft, then they self destruct when they put on the uniform because adult things are required of them immediately. But I am convinced it has something to do with the chasm between expectations. 

I am convinced more than ever it is critical to raise kids/young adults a certain way in order to make solid adults. That requires a coordinated effort between family, school, church if it's in the picture, and the community. Kids need to be exposed to multigenerational influences. When schools expect nothing of you and teach you nothing, you spend all day on 4Chan, you are not involved with people in the community around you, guess what? You have had zero opportunity to develop important coping skills.

There are many suicides of older service members or people who have just retired or separated. I can speak to this a little. I am having a hard time dealing with people I meet out and about. I am lucky I do not need to work to get by. What passes as "management" at many places is pathetic. No honor, integrity, or humility. I have been re-wired in the military and have no desire to re-re-wire myself to come into phase with what's out in the civilian world. I will smile and be polite but I am not playing the game. I fear some older individuals do not survive this culture shock.

I pray the commander of the ship get's a hold of the situation ASAP but I know he is not the only one struggling to find an answer.

Very well said. You make some great points! I'm not sure either, but do agree with all you said. I grew up in a military disciplined family and when I went off to boot camp I thought it was a joke; meaning for me it was a walk in the park. My whole time in I never once contemplated suicide no matter the situations. Now, when I got out that was a culture shock and did require some therapy sessions. After a few years working for big corporate America one of the prime differences I noticed was there was NO camaraderie. None, no backup, every man for himself. That's what I've always missed the most. Gone, even amongst co-worker friends some turned into backstabbers over stupid emotional shit. Send me, send me back to sea I use to daydream at work. Oh well, but I somehow prevailed in the rat race.

Prevailing can be done. And I'm sure you are doing very well for yourself. 

But I agree on the work environment. For me, it doesn't exist. My personal compass is seemingly out 180 degrees from folks I have ran into. Makes me question myself.