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Army suicides down a little in August
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Military resources


National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Crisis assistance for soldiers and families
• Trained consultants available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
• Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Health promotion guidance for Army leaders
• Refer to newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 at: www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf
• Refer to Army Pamphlet 600-24 at www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf

Comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information
• Website: www.preventsuicide.army.mil

Suicide-prevention training resources for Army families
• Website: www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials)

Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center
• Phone: 1-866-966-1020
• Email: Resources@DCoEOutreach.org
• Website: www.dcoe.health.mil

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Website: www.afsp.org

Suicide Prevention Resource Council

• Website: www.sprc.org/index.asp

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

• Website: www.TAPS.org
• Phone: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)

The Army recently released suicide data for the month of August.
Among active-duty soldiers, there were 19 potential suicides: three have been confirmed as suicides and 16 remain under investigation.
For July, the Army reported 22 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, five cases have been confirmed as suicide, and 17 cases remain under investigation.
During August, among reserve-component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were nine potential suicides: none have been confirmed as suicide and nine remain under investigation.
For July, the Army reported 10 potential suicides among not-on-active-
duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of 11 cases. Three cases have been confirmed as suicide and eight cases remain under investigation.
“Suicide prevention training and awareness are vital components of the Army’s health promotion and risk-reduction efforts against the tragic occurrence of suicide within our ranks,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.
“It is a priority that deserves our full attention and continued emphasis by all leaders. Junior leaders and first-line supervisors can be especially effective in assisting those in a moment of crisis. We collaborate extensively with other federal and national programs to assure we remain abreast of the very latest research and best practices.
“To date, our focused efforts have resulted in thousands of trained individuals throughout the Army who now have the skills to recognize the signs of suicide, exercise appropriate intervention techniques and engage the numerous organizations within the Army and DoD that stand ready to help at any hour of the day or night.
“These skills are invaluable and have equipped many in our Army to lend a hand to fellow soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and their families in their daily encounters.”

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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