Army - Kicking Tires On Jltv

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Per 100,000 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Suicide by Age in Three Generations 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 Age Groups Additionally, suicide rates rose dramatically among ages 10 to 14 through ages 20 to 24, reaching a peak at ages 40 to 44. This peak was not exceeded until ages 75 to 79. Their second finding was that suicide rates of age intervals at a given time period have been reliably predicted by size of the birth cohort and the percentage of nonmarital births—again, demographic characteristics likely impacting social integration and behavioral regulation. Vulnerable Generations We examined evidence related to increased vulnerability among members of more recent generations of U.S. high school and college-aged students in several studies. Analyses of large-scale data sets across time have shown increased emotional and behavioral problems among younger generations of high school and college students, as well as generational shifts in their values. Of particular note, more recent generations of high school and college students report that they value fame and wealth Col. James Griffith, ARNG Ret., is a research fellow at the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah. He served 35 years in the Army active and reserve components and, most recently, as an Army research psychologist assigned to the National Guard Bureau. He received his Ph.D. from the Claremont Colleges and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. Craig Bryan is a former Air Force captain whose service included a 2009 deployment to Iraq. He is a clinical psychologist and executive director of the National Center for Veterans Studies. He is also an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Utah. 1930 1965 2000 J. Stockard more than earlier generations; they value community relations, interest in social problems and civic engagement less. These changes have been especially pronounced during the transition from Generation Xers—those born in 1962 through 1981—to the millennials— those born in 1982 through the early 2000s. Findings from several military studies are consistent with these larger trends in U.S. society. For example, military studies have reported more psychological disorders among personnel using medical treatment facilities, and more waivers for those enlisting. The Army Study To Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers research team further indicates that mental health conditions that exist before joining the military play an important role in later suicidal behaviors. Evident in Military Consequences of these trends are likely more evident in the U.S. military due to its circumscribed population. First, the Army has proportionally more personnel who are at greatest risk for suicide: young, male and white. Young age, male gender and white racial identity have been identified in both civilian and military research studies as risk factors for suicide. In addition, the U.S. Army has seen over time an increase in the proportion of white soldiers and a decrease in the proportion of racial minority soldiers. These changes in demographics have particular relevance when considering that O’Brien and Stockard found increased suicide risk across birth cohorts greater for young white men than others. In other words, the subpopulation for whom generational vulnerability has increased the most is the same subpopulation that has proportionally increased the most within the U.S. Army. Second, recent studies also suggest that those who now volunteer for military service are distinctly different from non-volunteers of the same age. Recruits disproportionally come from single-family households and households of adverse childhood experiences, both of which are associated with suicide risk. Using large-scale longitudinal data, Naomi J. Spence, Kathryn A. Henderson and Glen H. Elder Jr. observed that youth living in single-parent households had increased odds of military enlistment independent of socioeconomic status, characteristics of parent-child relationships, or feelings of social isolation. Findings were reported in a 2013 article for Journal of Family Issues. Third, increased vulnerability of soldiers in recent years might also be explained in part by a considerable change in the pool of applicants who are eligible for military service. Since the implementation of the all-volunteer force, the number of volunteers has diminished. Of this pool, nearly half are ac- 54 ARMY ■ February 2016
U.S. Army/Spc. Caitlyn Byrne cepted into military service. This situation contrasts with the last prolonged major conflict, the Vietnam War era, during which nearly all 18-year-old men were eligible for conscripted service, though only a fraction was inducted. In more recent times, larger proportions of recruits have more waivers for health conditions or behavior problems. In sum, trends in vulnerability among the more recent generations are more likely to be evident in the military due to characteristics of its changing population: few volunteers, many of whom are young and male; and proportionally more who are inducted. Evidence also suggests that more recruits come from nontraditional family structures, which often are associated with less social integration and higher suicide risk. These factors make increased vulnerability more evident among U.S. military service members than among the general population. Steps Toward Prevention We have identified several possible directions for the prevention of suicide in the U.S. military. First, if increased prevalence in suicide is, indeed, related to cohort vulnerability, with more recent birth cohorts more susceptible, then the problem of suicide risk is much broader than previously thought. That is, increased suicide risk encompasses all members of specific cohorts within society, not just military members. Second, for the military it means more effective screening of prospective recruits, and for those already in the military, more effective periodic assessments for suicide risk. Current assessments require soldiers to respond to specific questions regarding suicide thoughts, plans and attempts. Although positive responses to these questions are generally considered by suicide experts to be among the most important Capt. Pamela Alderman, a health officer with the 1st Infantry Division, counsels a soldier suffering from depression while deployed in Kuwait. warning signs or short-term indicators of imminent risk for suicide, research suggests that more than half of those who die by suicide actually deny suicidal ideation and/or intent during their most recent screening. There may be an underlying, chronic vulnerability that is not evident using existing screeners. The question, though, is the specific content that enables effective detection of these underlying risk factors. Finally, the content of preventive strategies should be aimed more directly at domains related to the desire for social integration, such as training and experiences associated with group identity and solidarity, leadership and group norms that develop individual-to-group ties, providing social connections and control of individual-level behaviors. Such processes strengthen bonds among group members through the physical and social environments that promote proximity and communication; behaviors that are interdependent, satisfying individual and group needs; shared feelings; and having commonly identified personal characteristics. Re-examining the Army’s current and past practices, in particular those associated with soldier bonding and cohesive ties among unit members, would not only benefit readiness but also soldiers’ identification with others, the unit and the Army. ✭ Sgt. 1st Class Jermaine Carter, standing, with the 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion, teaches resilience training to deployed soldiers in Liberia. U.S. Army/Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner February 2016 ■ ARMY 55
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The Magazine of the Association of
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Page 26 and 27: Sgt. 1st Class Richard Miller, left
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Page 36 and 37: U.S. Army/Sgt. Alexandra Hulett U.S
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Page 44 and 45: Acknowledging the dental corps’ b
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Page 62 and 63: AUSA Sustaining Member Profile DHL
Page 64 and 65: U.S. Army/John Hamilton During test
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Page 76: JLTV EXPERTISE. Your payload is max
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