Suicide Prevention Video at Ft. Polk
My friend Eve had this up on her Facebook page and I wanted to share it. Some groups *cough* votevets *cough* kept bashing the army on suicide numbers without even looking at the issue. Back then I defended the army, and I was right to do so. Yes, one suicide is always too much, and we can’t tolerate even that one, but the Army, made up of folks who want to do the right thing are working hard at it.
I like the message here. The back and forth camera thing stinks, and the dopey clap on the back seems a bit theatrical, but so it goes. But listen, your battle buddy IS the guy to handle this stuff. My battle buddy was the best, old “Southern Dem/VT Woody.” Now, I’ve never considered suicide, not even close. But SD/VT would have stepped in WAY before that happened if I had gotten to that level. Frankly, I am somewhat of a loner, and he drove me nuts asking about stuff and talking non-stop, but as much as it annoyed me, that is what battle buddies and friends do.
Anyway, no one cares what I think really, but dudes (and dudettes) if you are still in, keep an eye on your buddy. We need everyone in this fight, ok? I can’t get the blog to work, so go here and Jonn will fix later.
Category: Politics
I care what you think and hope a lot of others will, too. Good content of the video. A little bit “cheesy” but, heck, it’s all about the message. I’ll be sharing this with many. Thanks to you and Eve!
Agreed. Cheesy does get the point across, esp. if you have ever known someone who took their life.
I still remember the AFN commercial about spouse abuse and the PSA that the Army put out. It does work.
you know what’s pretty amazing is the fact he did this video in the first place. i know i’m gonna get flamed for this comment, but suicide and losing your bearings is embarrassing, to be brutally honest, makes the men around you lose confidence in your ability to lead during stressful situations. i wouldn’t have told anyone outside of my therapist and those who i am closest with, and if i tried to kill myself, and failed. i would be ashamed, embarrassed and pretty afraid of my reputation as a leader.
which leads me to my point that this dude is pretty ballsy and commendable that he’s willing to tell his story, while still in the army. if i was still in uniform, i wouldn’t have done the same. out of uniform, different story, but in uniform, once you lose the trust and respect to lead, you’re essentially impotent as a leader.
as Bellavia always says, NCO’s must be like Gods to the jr enlisted. They must hold themselves to a higher level of strictness and competence, to ensure that the jr enlisted have proper role models, and convey an instant obedience to orders. again, without this respect and trust, you’re nothing.
not judging the guy at all. just saying it was a ballsy move, and not something i would have done.
Mark,
Thanks for posting this and writing it up.
It is WAY overly cheesy (esp. the music, etc.) but the message is true.
We’ve just got to do some work on PAO and the Army’s PSA folks to ensure they do some vids that I won’t be embarrassed to show my joes.
In fact… let’s talk. I’m sure a few of us can make a video that isn’t so cheesy… although props to my fellow Mountain buddy for doing this.
Climb to Glory,
Eve
USMC Chris,
THAT is the message, right there!! You see, “we” have to take the stigma out of it. We all have weak moments, and lucky for that soon to be E-5 he had a friend who got it.
I would venture to say that what goes on in a person’s mind with his personal life, vs. keeping your comrade’s back is slightly different.
So, on the positive side, I would also go out on a limb to say that a soldier leaves that personal shit at the door, when he has others to think of besides himself.
I could be wrong, but…imagine the support network any guy could have if his buddies understood the tough times he faced off the battlefield.
Think compassion and not impotence. I know, they don’t go hand in hand when soldiering. I was pretty stoic, myself,always driving on, no matter what, so as not to let my platoon down.
Hindsight being what it is, I know I could have done a few things different.
This video is a great opportunity for the Army to combat a really difficult issue, one person at a time. Let’s just hope it helps.