Air Force suicides surged last year to highest in 3 decades

[usaf-vet]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Suicides in the active-duty Air Force surged last year to the highest total in at least three decades, even as the other military services saw their numbers stabilize or decline, according to officials and unpublished preliminary data.

The reasons for the Air Force increase are not fully understood, coming after years of effort by all of the military services to counter a problem that seems to defy solution and that parallels increases in suicide in the U.S. civilian population.

According to preliminary figures, the Air Force had 84 suicides among active-duty members last year, up from 60 the year before. The jump followed five years of relative stability, with the service’s yearly totals fluctuating between 60 and 64. Official figures won’t be published until later this year and could vary slightly from preliminary data.

Air Force officials, who confirmed the 2019 total, said they knew of no higher number in recent years. Data and studies previously published by the Pentagon and Air Force show that 64 suicides in 2015 had been the highest total for the Air Force in this century. A 2009 Air Force study said suicides between 1990 and 2004 averaged 42 a year and never exceeded 62.

“Suicide is a difficult national problem without easily identifiable solutions that has the full attention of leadership,” Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said in a statement. He said the Air Force is focused on immediate, midterm and long-range solutions to a problem faced throughout the military.

Read more: https://apnews.com/b6fa278e5078e3479adbe4745b765ed7

[riversedge]

1. omg. so sad.

[Aristus]

2. Religious bullying, I wonder?

I know the USAF is the most heavily evangelical-infested of the armed services. Some of the Bible-thumpers can get pretty nasty in their 'evangelizing'.

[usaf-vet]

3. My exact thoughts. The USAF that is was enlisted in, 1965-1969 had strict rules. And UCMJ to follow

it did not include religious indoctrination.

IMO it all seems to start in the officer ranks especially those that are USAF Academy graduates. Apparently going on for at least 15years. Translating to 15 graduating classes. With graduating class ranging from 900-1000.

As reported here: Air Force Academy Staff Found Promoting Religion By Laurie Goodstein June 23, 2005.
https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/23/politics/air-force-academy-staff-found-promoting-religion.html

And here:

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), a former Air Force colonel, has introduced HR 1425, the Preserve and Protect God in Military Oaths Act of 2015, which he claims is meant to protect the religious liberty of American troops.
“Our Constitution’s very First Amendment protects every individual’s freedom of religion. But our servicemen and women who protect our county with their lives are seeing that freedom under fire,” Johnson said in a statement posted on his website.

In 2013, the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) made the phrase 'so help me God' optional in the oath each cadet takes. And why did they do this? Because of one radical atheist group’s demands! Let me be clear: Americans have the freedom of religion—but not freedom from religion. That’s why I am introducing legislation that requires Congressional approval before any change would be made to military oaths.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/religion/bill-introduced-to-force-air-force-academy-cadets-to-swear-to-god/article/429027#ixzz6DNT5TRhF

[silverweb]

4. My first thought, too.

Someone close to me, an agnostic, was subjected to a long period of intense religious bullying. This included demands that he attend daily prayer and weekly bible study, and he was treated with punitive intent when he repeatedly declined. When his time was finished, he quit instead of re-upping. It makes me wonder how many good people have left the military for the same reason.

[B Stieg]

5. This issue came up several years ago. Clearly, it's gotten worse.

And aren't these are the dudes who fly our nuclear weapons around 24/7?
I know there are safeguards, but what if one of these "believers" decides that the Rapture should be upon us and launches?
There may not be any atheists in foxholes, but it seems we need more of them at all levels in the Air Force.

[Skittles]

6. I don't remember that

I remember them taking us (those not with family) to a church service my first Thanksgiving in the Air Force but outside of that I don't remember any religion issues.

[marlakay]

8. There could be something to that

My son n law in Lt Colonel in the AF, has been in 19 yrs, looking forward to only 1 left.

My daughter and him are very value minded, raised their kids with respect, no cussing etc, but they are Atheists and live most of the time unless they can’t off base because when they are on base the other officers wives have tried to force my daughter into bible study or church.

It was harder when they were younger because he was trying hard to get all of his promotions and felt forced. I remember they came up with lots of excuses for not going anything but admitting they were atheists. All of the people under him like him a lot because he treats them good and works hard.

[RussBLib]

7. Trump should be blamed

I mean, he takes credit for every single thing that is "good", why not pin the bad news on him too? How to do it is the question.