© MEREDITH TIBBETTS/STARS AND STRIPES
Thousands 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.
Military suicides have increased by as much as 20% this year compared to with same period in 2019, and some incidents of violent behavior have spiked as service members struggle under COVID-19, war-zone deployments, national disasters and civil unrest.
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: It would appear that Lukashenko won the election fairly, and those protesting for change of any kind aren't doing their cause any favors following leaders that are cavorting with known regime change enthusiasts nor those attempting to seize power undemocratically: