Bullied in basic behind some military suicides

Whenever suicide figures are released by the DOD, they seem to always go out of their way to mention how many suicides occurred when deployment was not involved. What they never seem to want to address is why this happens.

Charles Williams knows why at least one of them committed suicide. It was his own son, Jeremy. What does a bully do? They terrorize and abuse. More forms of trauma just as child abuse often causes PTSD as well. Maybe, just maybe, this can also help explain why there are so many suicides in the military, deployed or not.

Grieving father says military culture must change
reported this story on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
TONY EASTLEY: The father of a soldier who committed suicide says more young people will kill themselves unless the military's culture is changed.

Charles Williams' son Jeremy killed himself after being bullied during his army training. Mr Williams says his son was a victim of a toxic culture that pervades the armed forces.

Michael Edwards has this report.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Stories about young recruits being mistreated in the armed forces carry a special resonance for Charles Williams.

His son Jeremy committed suicide at the age of 20 while he was undergoing basic training at a base in Singleton in New South Wales in 2003.

CHARLES WILLIAMS: Jeremy had a leg injury, shin splints, and was transferred to R&D and that platoon was very much the butt of ridicule, and of this culture of abuse and denigration which was fostered and encouraged at the NCO level and junior officer level.

And he basically despaired of his situation.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Charles Williams says the military treated his son and his family appallingly.

Now his biggest concern is that more young recruits who are bullied and victimised will take their own lives.

CHARLES WILLIAMS: You must remember that when young people go into the ADF they're in a controlled environment from which they can't escape, and if they're subject to bullying then very sinister options emerge. And that's why we've had these suicides. We've had these young people despairing of their situation.
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Grieving father says military culture must change