Marine battalion suicides

[dude]

14 suicides from this battalion since their return from Afghanistan.  The latest was a Longmont, CO (home of MMM) native. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/30/us/suicide-claims-another-marine-as-holes-in-safety-net-persist.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

[Louisville]

Sad.
I know I'm going to get flack for saying this, but it's true; I've lived it. The enlisted ranks of the military are not America's cream of the crop youth. There are a few gung-ho patriots who could have gone to college or had some other opportunities, but by and large, it's kids that didn't see another option. Which means they may have had little support from family, lived in relative poverty, didn't do well in school, etc., before they joined. When they're discharged, nothing's changed. Now pile on top of it PTSD. Shit deal.

I'm not sure what to do about. I do think that, if problems are identified, these guys should have their enlistments extended and have the military try to deal with them, rather than the VA. If fact, maybe the VA shouldn't exist. Maybe the DOD should take care of veterans themselves. Combat veterans, anyway.

[dude]

I don't think what you've said is that controversial.  I served, and enlisted primarily because it looked like the ticket to a better life (learn a skill, travel the world, get some discipline), and indeed it absolutely has been for me. And many of the guys I served with were in the same boat (literally and figuratively!).

Here's a much more positive story about a guy from the same battalion (2/7):

http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/06/30/hank-goff-marines-afghanistan-war-concordia-st-paul-football?page=3&devicetype=default

[TheAnonOne]

This issue, is one that both sides support unanimously. Conservatives and liberals alike always parrot the need for mental, physical, and financial care for our vets.

Yet, it seems like I hear about this issue every few months. I can't fathom why nothing is being done about it, the infrastructure is already there, it just needs (minor) funding.