Georgia soldier battles new enemy: Suicide

Via Donna and Macon.com – one ballsy leader.  Can’t be easy for this crusty old CSM to tell his story, but he is because he wants to do right by his troops. This is a hard problem – maybe one of the “wicked” problems – faced by today’s military leaders. But the good ones do face it and more need to take it straight on.  We must all work together to change the culture that prevents even one possible intervention from happening because of shame, misunderstanding, or lack of resources.  Good on CSM Rhodes:

They’re the faces of men who, haunted by problems at home or memories of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — the dead children, the fallen comrades and the lingering smell of burnt flesh — pressed guns to their heads and pulled the triggers or tied ropes with military precision and hanged themselves.

…

“How many times have I written that letter in my head? I still think about suicide, but when I start thinking about it I have to think, ‘What’s the impact on everyone I care about?’’’

via Tough old Georgia soldier battles new enemy: Suicide epidemic – Local & State – Macon.com.