I never intended this blog to be an outlet for military commentary. It really was supposed to be my internal mind. Guess what, though? The army has become an integral part of my internal mind. 
So bear with me whilst I get something off my chest today.
The army has released it’s report on the analysis of the ever-increasing suicide rate. I saw the tweet from FamilyMWR (Family Moral, Welfare and Recreation) this morning. I read over the post and was instantly horrified.
Of the 250 suggestions, one was for prescriptions that “run out” after a specified period of time. I cringed, and cringed some more. With the track record of mediocre, half-hearted medical attention to soldiers in some instances, I can just see some poor young soldier, ill-prepared as they now are for today’s military reality, being prescribed some kind of anti-depressant that runs out in 6 months while he’s in some desert or mountain hellhole with no possibility of re-evaluation before he ships out or even while he’s out there … I wonder if they’ve even considered what kind of ticking bomb that is?
I am no medical professional, I have no training in the mind or psyche … but I have struggled with feelings of inadequacy and despondency. I can’t even begin to imagine what these kids have to deal with. But somehow, common sense tells me this had better be at the BOTTOM of the suggestion list in that report … because unless there are FAR more safeguards put in place, I see this is as making a bad situation a whole lot worse.
Of course, I haven’t seen the whole report. It’s encouraging that there ARE 249 other suggestions. And I seriously am hoping that at LEAST one of those suggestions has a modicum of common sense. Say … focus on better preparing young soldiers for today’s military reality instead of putting a band-aid on the issue.
But that’s just me and my 0.02c.
Don’t get me wrong … that the report is out at ALL is a GOOD thing. My point is that reports and suggestions are all well and good … but the solution needs to be thorough and effective. Band aids have never been thorough or effective for the long run.
Ever taken off a band-aid off a cut on your finger after a day in water? Does it hurt more or less? Hmm?
Please, PLEASE, let there be some sensible people in charge of this decision. Please.
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