Soldier sent back to duty three days after suicide attempt

Rising suicide rate among U.S. soldiers hitting close to home
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Updated: Aug 22, 2007 6:38pm
The stress of combat is taking its toll on many soldiers.
In fact, according to the U.S. Army, last year there were 99 suicides; 30 of those happened in war zones.
It’s not a new trend, the same happened during wars like Vietnam.

According to the U.S. Army in 2005 there were 12.8 suicides per 100,000 soldiers.

That number increased last year with the army recording 17.3 suicides per 100,000 soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Derrick Degrate said he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress disorder after seeing too much in war.

"[I saw] people getting shot up, people getting blown up," Degrate said.

It took its toll, and while on a tour in Iraq he admits he tried to take his own life.

"So, I attempted suicide and, you know, and I was admitted to the hospital," Degrate added.

He said he was hospitalized for three days and then sent back to duty.

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