Have you seen this story about another soldier spurned by the Army who died of apparent suicide?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 14:03:09 -0500

Have you seen this story about another soldier spurned by the Army who died of apparent suicide?

We can't afford to allow this happen to our veterans. Another sad story about a brother left behind RP Members!

We want to make a difference: http://www.sponsoravet.life

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/04/another-soldier-spurned-army-dies-apparent-suicide/30726649/

For a U.S. Army where failures to treat soldiers with substance abuse problems have been linked to suicides, Georgia National Guard Spc. Stephen Akins was another tragedy waiting to happen.

Scans of his brain showed scars, and he had a history of seizures, combat blast exposure and suicide attempts. All were indisputable evidence that the soldier needed a medical retirement — despite erratic behavior that led to punishable infractions, his lawyer and psychiatrist argued. Such a move would offer a smooth transition from the Army to the care of the VA.

But the Army didn't see it that way. A two-star general with no medical background concluded that the 31-year-old soldier's behavior — drunken driving, speeding, missed appointments and urinalysis cheating — had nothing to do with traumatic brain injury or emotional problems and kicked him out of the Army.

On July 2, six months after he was expelled, Chrystal Akins found her son dead in the basement bedroom of her home in Austell, Ga., just west of Atlanta, victim of an apparent suicide by overdose, according to police. "It totally blew me away," she said about prying open his bedroom door and finding his body on his bed. "I'll live with this the rest of my life."

As police investigating his death await a toxicology report to determine more precisely what killed him, Chrystal Akins says she struggles with how the Army handled her son.

"He wanted to go out there and do something for his country and this is what he gets in return," she said. "I just don't understand why people are like that. They just wanted to get him out."

Her son was buried with military honors on July 9 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.

savl

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 27 at 2015 2:05 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 14:05:26 -0500

No COL Mikel J. Burroughs I had not seen this story about another soldier spurned by the Army who died of apparent suicide. Very sad story about Georgia National Guard Spc. Stephen Akins who was a apparently abused "substances."
It is a sad time when traumatic brain injuries which yield symptoms of erratic behavior are labeled as problem soldier more often than soldier in need of treatment.
I realize this is a challenge for leadership tom wrestle with as there are mo clear guidelines in this area as to which soldiers are trouble and which need help.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 27 at 2015 2:23 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 14:23:05 -0500

I have been screaming about "Huah Huah Three Bags Full" for years. The Army (and more broadly DOD) just does not want to truly confront PTSD and other related issues, from over 15 years of combat (20 if you add the Balkans, even more if you add Desert Storm and the Clinton years of continuous warfare with Iraq)...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 27 at 2015 2:28 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 14:28:14 -0500

It's a very sad story and I'm sorry to the family. In this age of "downsizing" it's easier to chapter someone out, and give some odd reason as to why than to sit there and take a hard look at the situation and say "we have his back". That doesn't fully absolve the Soldier from his misdeeds, and the story doesn't mention if he had any prior help from his unit or mental health at a hospital. I hope this story makes it to the Army head shed and they have a honest come to Jesus talk about what they're doing with the current mentality to the Troops. This could've been handled a lot better.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 27 at 2015 3:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 15:04:25 -0500

PTSD is a catch 22 as many are untreated properly, have the taste of liquor, and act irrationally. Some commands will have compassion and others will not.

Response by SSG John Caples made Nov 29 at 2015 12:25 PM

SSG John Caples — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 12:25:39 -0500

THAT IS THE MOST MESSED UP THNG I HAVE EVER HEARD OF, PISS POOR LEADERSHIP ONLY THE NATIONAL GUARD WOULD DO SOMTHING LIKE THAT. The good old boy system never fails , There is no excuse for this, the leadership starts with his Team Leader and then his Sqd. Ldr. he should responded to that right off with 4856, and counseling and therapy if need be. You don't throw a good soldier away that is reaching out, let the chain know there is a sign, if that first line knew that soldier this would have never happened. I knew my soldiers so well , I knew them better than they knew themselves.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 1:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:35:51 -0400

No I did not see this article COL. Thanks for sharing.

22 is a bad number- that's the number of Veterans than commit suicide every day. This is an epidemic that we have to stop! Reach out and help another vet if you can. Just having someone to talk to can help- form a buddy team & check on each other...

The guys from Mission 22 also do a great job of getting the word out on this crisis: http://www.mission22.com/#ourcause

Mission 22