thedrifter
07-16-09, 06:32 AM
Marines are dying
7/15/2009 By Lance Cpl. Christopher Duncan , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
Improvised explosive devices are being planted and 55.6 rounds are zipping down range from the AK-47’s of misguided religious zealots.
Marines are equipped to deal with many types of threats, but there is one attacking the Corps from the inside like a virus. Suicide attempt rates have been skyrocketing for the past nine years and last year suicides set a record for the highest number of attempts since 2004.In accordance with the intent of General James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, a new noncommissioned officer suicide prevention training course is being implemented and had its first pilot course here at Quantico July 8 and 9.
The purpose of the course is to educate Marines on this rapidly growing issue, stress the devastating impact it’s having on USMC numbers, and teach NCOs more effective ways of dealing with combat stress and other circumstances identified as being part of the problem.
The course is appropriately called “Never Leave a Marine Behind” and is geared toward all 67,000 NCOs in the Corps. Recent statistics show that most suicides were committed by Marines of grade E-5 and below.
“One of the reasons that the focus has been placed on E-5 and below is that of the 42 suicides in calendar year 2008, 38 of those were sergeants,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Peter Proietto, senior advisor of the Safety Division. “We have 29 this year and so far 85 percent of them are sergeants and below.”
The course is divided into four sections to make it more interactive and engaging. It begins with a film about suicide prevention and is followed by a brief discussion about the message of the video. The Marines are then split into small groups to share their personal experiences with suicide or suicide prevention.
Shortly after phases one and two of the course are completed, the floor becomes available for open discussion about the NCO’s views on the importance of the course itself and why it has become such a necessity. Marines are encouraged to share any solutions they may have about the growing problem.
It is not enough for NCOs to be aware of the threat. They need to be aware of the symptoms of a potentially suicidal Marine and how to combat those symptoms.
Some other things the Corps is doing to create a change in suicide numbers are:
- Producing commander’s suicide prevention leadership videos on how to create awareness.
- Conducting suicide prevention training for all Marines and then NCOs specifically.
Integrating suicide prevention messages into the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
- Creating information resources for relationship stress (a key stressor in the majority of Marine Corps suicides).
- Implementing research programs to monitor progress and remain active in suicide prevention.
For statistics on suicide and attempted suicides in the Marine Corps visit: www.usmc-mccs.org/suicideprevent/stats_faqs.cfm
For more information about suicide prevention visit www.usmc-mccs.org/downloads/suicide/taking_action_saving_lives_training_manual.pdf
Combat Correspondent: Christopher.Duncan2@usmc.mil
Ellie
7/15/2009 By Lance Cpl. Christopher Duncan , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
Improvised explosive devices are being planted and 55.6 rounds are zipping down range from the AK-47’s of misguided religious zealots.
Marines are equipped to deal with many types of threats, but there is one attacking the Corps from the inside like a virus. Suicide attempt rates have been skyrocketing for the past nine years and last year suicides set a record for the highest number of attempts since 2004.In accordance with the intent of General James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, a new noncommissioned officer suicide prevention training course is being implemented and had its first pilot course here at Quantico July 8 and 9.
The purpose of the course is to educate Marines on this rapidly growing issue, stress the devastating impact it’s having on USMC numbers, and teach NCOs more effective ways of dealing with combat stress and other circumstances identified as being part of the problem.
The course is appropriately called “Never Leave a Marine Behind” and is geared toward all 67,000 NCOs in the Corps. Recent statistics show that most suicides were committed by Marines of grade E-5 and below.
“One of the reasons that the focus has been placed on E-5 and below is that of the 42 suicides in calendar year 2008, 38 of those were sergeants,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Peter Proietto, senior advisor of the Safety Division. “We have 29 this year and so far 85 percent of them are sergeants and below.”
The course is divided into four sections to make it more interactive and engaging. It begins with a film about suicide prevention and is followed by a brief discussion about the message of the video. The Marines are then split into small groups to share their personal experiences with suicide or suicide prevention.
Shortly after phases one and two of the course are completed, the floor becomes available for open discussion about the NCO’s views on the importance of the course itself and why it has become such a necessity. Marines are encouraged to share any solutions they may have about the growing problem.
It is not enough for NCOs to be aware of the threat. They need to be aware of the symptoms of a potentially suicidal Marine and how to combat those symptoms.
Some other things the Corps is doing to create a change in suicide numbers are:
- Producing commander’s suicide prevention leadership videos on how to create awareness.
- Conducting suicide prevention training for all Marines and then NCOs specifically.
Integrating suicide prevention messages into the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
- Creating information resources for relationship stress (a key stressor in the majority of Marine Corps suicides).
- Implementing research programs to monitor progress and remain active in suicide prevention.
For statistics on suicide and attempted suicides in the Marine Corps visit: www.usmc-mccs.org/suicideprevent/stats_faqs.cfm
For more information about suicide prevention visit www.usmc-mccs.org/downloads/suicide/taking_action_saving_lives_training_manual.pdf
Combat Correspondent: Christopher.Duncan2@usmc.mil
Ellie