3 Hawaii Marines charged in Afghanistan hazing case

By William Cole

Three Hawaii Marines have been charged with multiple offenses ranging from assault and maltreatment to violation of orders and dereliction of duty for alleged hazing leading up to the April 3 death of fellow Marine Lance Cpl. Harry Lew in Afghanistan, officials said today.

Lew, 21, committed suicide April 3 after being hazed by two other Marine lance corporals, the Marine Corps Times said, citing an investigation into the death.

Read the entire story here.
Marine suicide tied to hazing in Afghanistan

Facing Ninth Deployment, Ranger Kills Himself

Husband's suicide was to avoid ninth deployment, widow says



Provide resources to address Army suicides

Bereaved parents urge Armenian president to solve army murders

All around the world, there are families grieving the loss of soldiers who have been murdered by fellow service members or who have died otherwise, usually at a young age, in uninvestigated non-combat deaths.  This story is from Armenia, where the families have come together to fight for justice.

Excerpt:
"The chief military prosecutor admits that many crimes have been committed by inspectors in connection with the criminal cases into our sons' deaths. However, no one has yet been punished. You have upset us. Moreover, murders in the army will continue as indifference and illegality rule there,” the letter says.
Read the entire story here.

Sgt Patrick Rust - His Last Known Journey

Posted on August 20th, 2011

by Simon Barrett in All News, crime

 

Several weeks ago I was introduced to the strange case of Sgt. Patrick Rust by Denny Griffin of Crimewire. It is a cold case, 2007 although the events only happened five years ago, it has long since entered the dusty file section for the investigators. You can read a basic synopsis of the case on www.patrickrust.com. The story that Denny Griffin told me was a very disturbing one. Denny and his Crimewire team only take on cases that have a ’solvable factor’.

 

The Patrick Rust case has that factor. I invited Denny Griffin and his fellow Crimewire investigator Bill Sullivan to join us on The Sunday Afternoon Murder Club radio program. You can listen to the recording here.

There are a number of aspects to this case that really bother me. I just want to look at one. Maybe it is taken out of context, maybe I am off the mark.

 

Read the entire story, with visuals, here.

Military Training Accidents

Link to radio discussion of training accidents.

Senator slams DoD on suicide prevention efforts

By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Aug 18, 2011 17:15:00 EDT

It’s been a year since a blue-ribbon commission on military suicide prevention issued its final report and a list of recommendations for major changes at the Pentagon. But many of its key recommendations — including the creation of a Pentagon-level office to coordinate the roughly 900 suicide prevention programs across the force — have not been implemented.


Now a U.S. senator is ratcheting up pressure on the Defense Department to set those proposed changes in motion. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., fired off a letter Wednesday after the Army reported that suicides among soldiers had reached a new all-time high.

Read the rest of the story here.

Upsurge of suicides at Lewis-McChord, Army-wide

By Hal Bernton

Seattle Times staff reporter

Since the first of July, five soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord have died in apparent suicides, part of an Army-wide upsurge in such deaths despite stepped-up prevention efforts.

Their memorial services came so close together that one bereaved mother, at a hotel in DuPont where the Army had her stay, encountered another couple struggling with the loss of their son.

"This is just too much in too short a time," said Karrie Champion, whose 21-year-old son, Spc. Jonathon Gilbert, died July 28. "This is just not right."

In recent weeks, commanders have met with soldiers stricken by grief over the passing of their comrades, and a recent directive at the base put a heightened focus on an Army-wide effort to reduce suicides.

Read the entire story here.

Documentary on Friendly Fire Deaths to Premiere

ASKATD Long Trailer from 5414Productions on Vimeo.

In the works for over two years, A Second Knock at the Door offers a rare glimpse into the lives of military families dealing with the loss of loved ones to friendly fire. Through interviews and investigative reports obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, this documentary explores several key incidents in which the families of the fallen were forced to embark on a quest for the truth after the Army attempted to bury the true cause of death within the "fog of war."

Unwilling to allow these soldiers to be defined by their death, A Second Knock at the Door thoroughly explores these men outside of the uniform through the eyes of their community where they were known simply as sons, husbands, fathers, fiancés, and friends.

A Second Knock at the Door is a portrait of strength and sacrifice, faith and honor, and an undying belief in the goodness of the men and women who give their lives for their country.

Read the entire story here.

Patrick Rust Case on The Simon Barrett Show

The link to Simon's show announcement is http://www.bloggernews.net/126​958

The direct link to the show is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/s​imon-barrett/2011/08/14/sunday​-afternoon-murder-club--sgt-pa​trick-rust

No solace for family of soldier who took own life

By Bill Murphy Jr.
Published: August 12, 2011

Every day now it seems there’s another bit of unfinished business in the life of Army veteran Jacob Andrews, who committed suicide in April.

A few days ago, it was a notice that the state of Missouri wants to collect the cost of a surgery Andrews had as a 10-year-old when he was on Medicaid. Last week, it was a notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs certifying---without mentioning his death---that Andrews was eligible for the post-9/11 GI Bill.

Between the two came another VA letter, this one in response to an inquiry from the office of U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), denying responsibility for having erroneously told Andrews in November that he was ineligible for the GI Bill despite the year he spent fighting in Afghanistan.
Read the entire story here.

Army Released July Suicide Data

Army Released July Suicide Data

The Army released suicide data today for the month of July. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 22 potential suicides: three have been confirmed as suicide and 19 remain under investigation. For June 2011, the Army reported nine potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, three cases have been confirmed as suicide, and six cases remain under investigation.

During July 2011, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 10 potential suicides: none have been confirmed as suicide and 10 remain under investigation. For June 2011, the Army reported five potential suicides among not-on-active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of six cases. Four cases have been confirmed as suicide, and two cases remain under investigation.

"Every suicide represents a tragic loss to our Army and the nation. While the high number of potential suicides in July is discouraging, we are confident our efforts aimed at increasing individuals' resiliency, while reducing incidence of at-risk and high-risk behavior across the force, are having a positive impact," Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, vice chief of staff of the Army, stated. "We absolutely recognize there is much work to be done and remain committed to ensuring our people are cared for and have ready access to the best possible programs and services."

Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .

Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf .

The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil .
Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials).

Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental United States. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.

Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf .

The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil .
The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org , and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp .

The website for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is http://www.TAPS.org , and they can be reached at 1-800-959-TAPS (8277).

Source:  DOD Announcement, verbatim

Army reports record suicide numbers for July       

South Korea military faces 'barracks culture'

By Lucy Williamson BBC News, Seoul

All this training is to prepare the new recruits for external enemies, but the military is also facing a threat from within; a barracks culture that some say is helping to kill its soldiers before a real shot has been fired.

Last month, a marine corporal shot and killed four of his comrades. He said he was being bullied.

Several other soldiers killed themselves in the weeks that followed. Since then, South Korea's defence ministry has brought out new orders banning beating, cruelty, humiliation and bullying within the armed forces, to tackle what it calls a "distorted military culture".

Calls to military helplines have shot up since the recent spate of deaths. But the issue of soldiers dying in their barracks has overshadowed the military here for decades. And the deaths have often been left unexplained.
Read the entire story here.

US soldier gets life for slaying sergeants in Iraq

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- An Army sergeant based at Fort Stewart was sentenced Wednesday to life in a military prison without parole for shooting and killing his infantry squad leader and another U.S. soldier in Iraq after they criticized him for poor performance.

The military jury's sentence also calls for Sgt. Joseph Bozicevich, 41, of Minneapolis to be demoted in rank to private and to receive a dishonorable discharge. The same court-martial convicted him of premeditated murder May 25 in the slayings of Staff Sgt. Darris Dawson of Pensacola, Fla., and Sgt. Wesley Durbin of Dallas at a small patrol base outside Baghdad on Sept. 14, 2008.

Read the entire story here.

Numbers of Combat and Non-combat Deaths

The problem of counting non-combat deaths is tackled by a reporter and this is her summary, based on goverment statistics:

Q&A on the News

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Q: How many deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq were due to combat and how many are non-combat related? — Don Haller, Douglasville

A: As of Aug. 9, there had been 4,408 U.S. military and 13 Department of Defense civilian deaths in Operation Iraqi Freedom, for a total of 4,421 according to the DOD. Of those, 3,489 were the result of combat, meaning 932 were non-hostile. There have been 1,619 U.S. military deaths and two DOD civilians deaths in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan only), of which 270 were non-hostile. Operation Enduring Freedom also includes U.S. military forces in 15 other countries: Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen. There have been 100 deaths in those countries, 89 of which were non-hostile. The numbers of fatalities can be found at www.defense.gov/news/casualty.pdf

Read story here.

Army settles malpractice claim for $2.15 million

An Army soldier who filed a lawsuit over the treatment of his wife’s cancer at a military hospital at Fort Campbell, Ky., has reached a settlement with the federal government for $2.15 million, The Associated Press reported.

A Nashville judge on Friday approved the settlement of the medical malpractice claim made by Staff Sgt. Adam Cloer on behalf of his wife Melodee Cloer, who died last year at age 53 after being diagnosed with rectal cancer. The settlement is subject to final approval by the U.S. Attorney General.

Read the entire story here.

Link to Radio Discussion of Suicide

Richard Stites talks with Pam Baragona on The Truth Has Changed Radio Program.

Listen here.

Witness: Soldier hit over 200 times in initiation

By Steve Mraz

Stars and Stripes

Published: March 28, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Pvt. Terrance Norman and Sgt. Rodney Howell each punched Sgt. Juwan Johnson 20 or more times in the face, chest and back during a July 3, 2005, initiation into the Gangster Disciples in which Johnson suffered more than 200 blows in six minutes, a witness testified Tuesday.

Pfc. Latisha Ellis, who attended the “jumping in” ceremony, provided details on Johnson’s beating and details about the activities and structure of the Gangster Disciples in Kaiserslautern. Johnson, 25, of the 66th Transportation Company, died from multiple blunt-force injuries on July 4, 2005.

Ellis’ testimony came during the second day of a joint Article 32 hearing for Norman and Howell, who face several charges in Johnson’s death, including involuntary manslaughter.

Read the entire story here.

Sergeant set for Article 32 in 2009 killings at Camp Liberty

ByMegan McCloskey

Stars and Stripes

Published: August 5, 2011

 

WASHINGTON — The soldier accused of carrying out the deadliest case of fratricide in the Iraq War will be in court Monday for the military’s version of a grand jury.

In May 2009, Army Sgt. John Russell allegedly stole a gun, barged into a combat stress clinic in Baghdad and opened fire, killing five servicemembers and wounding two others. He is charged with five counts of premeditated murder, two counts of premeditated attempted murder and one count of assault.

Read the entire story here.

Recovering From My Service to Our Nation

This is an account of an airman whose military career was ruined by a rape by a "fellow" member of the Air Force. 

Read the entire story here.

Link to Radio Discussion

To listen to last week's discussion on The Truth Has Changed radio show, "Defending the Fallen - How Do We Effect Change?", click here.

Army wants to rid top ranks of toxic leaders

By Michelle Tan and Joe Gould - Staff writers
Posted : Sunday Jul 31, 2011 8:25:09 EDT

The Army is working to flush toxic leaders from its ranks. A survey of more than 22,630 soldiers from the rank of E-5 through O-6 and Army civilians showed that roughly one in five sees his or her superior as “toxic and unethical,” while only 27 percent believe that their organization allows the frank and free flow of ideas.

“You could look at this and say 82 percent of Army leaders are doing good and great things, but our nature isn’t going to be congratulatory,” said Col. Thomas Guthrie, director of the Center for Army Leadership, which has conducted the Annual Survey of Army Leadership since 2005. “Eighteen percent is too high even if it is perceived. It’s trying to change those climates out there, those individual behaviors, that’s taking some time. We do have to invoke some change, and we have to look internally for that.”

Read the rest of the story here.

This relates to our discussions about bullying in the military.