If a soldier has suicidal thoughts while on deployment, do they get med boarded and kicked out?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:10:58 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 10:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:32:09 -0400

I would first focus on getting that Soldier to COSC STAT and worry about a med board later (if it even comes to that).

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Aug 1 at 2017 10:35 AM

MSgt Gerald Orvis — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:35:32 -0400

If all the troops that get suicidal thoughts get med boarded and kicked out, that would probably eliminate 1/3 to 1/2 of serving personnel, IMHO. I had suicidal thoughts when I got back from Vietnam, but I dealt with them on my own and told nobody, as that wasn't good for one's profile, and I got over it. IF a servicman/woman has suicidal thoughts and thinks enough to tell somebody about them, I don't think they should have a stigma cast upon themselves, and their leadership should take the matter in hand through personal counselling, supervision, keeping a close watch on them, and (if necessary) getting the troop to therapy. If a troop tells somebody about their suicidal thoughts, I see that as a cry for help, and they should get it. Only as a last resort should a troop get boarded and discharged, after leadership has done all it can possibly do. If a troop tells nobody, then they're either dealing with it on their own because they view a confession as a sign of mental weakness, or they intend to go through with it (in which case there's nothing anybody can do about it). Usually, the ones who intend to go through with a suicide attempt tell nobody ahead of time. When I was a DI, we had a couple of recruits that attempted to slash their wrist with a Track 2 razorblade cartridge, but failed (did it the wrong direction) - I saw that as a cry for help because they were too mentally weak to handle the stress, and the recruits were immediately sent to sick bay to make contact with a psychologist. That's just my two cents worth - a medical professional might have a different view.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 1:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 13:53:43 -0400

No not at all, they are sent to medical for a screening where the psychologist or psychiatrist makes a determination to keep them in country or move them to a treatment facility for further evaluations. Normally they are removed from country for a nice trip to Landstuhl Germany. If their in depth evaluations demonstrate an incompatibility with military service they would be med boarded out and sent to the VA, but it is rare that anyone wanting to stay in the service is medically forced out for suicide thoughts. It should not be a considering factor on deciding to self report or buddy reporting. The military system is very tolerant of individuals struggling with depression even if some members in the military are not.

My recommendation is to always report it. You may get harassed for reporting it but the consequences of not reporting are so much higher. Almost all of us who have deployed either went through suicidal thoughts or had a close friend that did. Too many of us have known individuals who did not get the support they needed and are no longer with us.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 1 at 2017 2:02 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:02:18 -0400

I can only speak to my one experience on this years ago in the Navy. Had a soldier that was suicidal (act, not intentions). We got him into a psychiatrists care, and found out what the triggering issues were. Once we knew what those were, we were able to remove/change some of them (not because of his issues, rather because we never realized they were happening). Once that was taken care of, he was good to go. He was a E-4 at the time, retired years later at E-8. Will admit that it will take buy in from the command element.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 2:42 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:42:04 -0400

Not necessarily, in fact, not likely.
What needs to happen is that Soldier need to come off the line, talk to a professional, and decompress. Once the stressors have been relieved or dealt with, it is probable that Soldier can go back on the line and do his/her duty.
If they really have issues of a magnitude that does require a med board, they should be identified and given exactly that. It is what is best for everyone - the Soldier, the unit, and the Army.