© MEREDITH TIBBETTS/STARS AND STRIPESThousands of American flags filled a grassy expanse on the National Mall on Oct. 3, 2018, each representing a veteran or a servicemember who died by suicide in 2018. The 5,520 flags were placed on the Mall by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America, an advocacy group trying to draw awareness to the issue of veteran suicide.
While the data is incomplete and causes of suicide are complex, Army and Air Force officials say they believe the pandemic is adding stress to an already-strained force.
And senior Army leaders — who say they've seen about a 30% jump in active-duty suicides so far this year — told The Associated Press that they are looking at shortening combat deployments. Such a move would be part of a broader effort to make the wellbeing of soldiers and their families the Army's top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.
The Pentagon refused to provide 2020 data or to discuss the issue, but Army officials said discussions in Defense Department briefings indicate there has been roughly a 20% jump in overall military suicides this year. The numbers vary by service. The active Army's 30% spike — from 88 last year to 114 this year — pushes the total up because it's the largest service. The Army National Guard is up about 10%, going from 78 last year to 86 this year. The Navy total is believed to be lower this year.
Army leaders say they can't directly pin the increase on the virus, but the timing coincides.
Comment: The increase in suicides within the US military is concerning as this crisis has been an issue for years. In addition to the causes mentioned, there are others that officials aren't willing to discuss: