Combat veteran links stress to multiple tours

Combat veteran links stress to multiple tours
(NECN: Greg Wayland) - The Camp Liberty shooting is being called the deadliest case of soldier-on-soldier violence since the Iraq war began in 2003. It has once again thrown a spotlight on the problem of combat-related stress.

It happened here at the combat stress control center in the place they call Camp Liberty.

Just days ago, Lt. Colonel Beth Salisbury gave ABC News a tour of the facility.

Salisbury, who runs the center, was not hurt in the shooting. But the dead were two people on her medical staff and three soldiers awaiting treatment.

U.S. officials say Sgt John M. Russell was taken into custody shortly after the rampage and was due to leave Iraq soon. He was reportedly referred to the stress center by his superiors, presumably because of concerns about his mental state.

Army officials say Russell’s weapon had been taken a way but that somehow he got a new gun at the camp, entered the clinic, argued with staff, and then opened fire.

Paul Comacho, a ninth Marine division Vietnam veteran, heads UMass Boston's Joiner Center for the study of war and social consequences.

He says multiple combat deployments can be a major stress factor. Sgt. Russell was reportedly on his third deployment and at the end of a 15-month deployment.

“These guys have four tours. I mean it's the number of tours. I think you can't say anything particular. In general you can say there's a whole issue with the number of tours and what happens between these tours.
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Combat veteran links stress to multiple tours