A fatal shooting spree has roiled a huge U.S. Army base that deploys tens of thousands of troops to Iraq and that has been the focus of attempts to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder in the military. The gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan killed thirteen people (NYT) and wounded thirty others Thursday. Hassan, an Army psychologist, was about to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Hassan was unconscious (NPR) and on a ventilator Friday. His motive in the shooting remains unclear.
Suicides in the Army hit a record high (al-Jazeera) of at least 128 last year and are expected to reach a new high this year, which would surpass the rate among the wider civilian population. U.S. officials believe repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan have played a role in the uptick in suicides, post-traumatic stress and depression.
Analysis
Army officials say they do not know (WashPost) how much psychological stress the Army can sustain, and that health is a major factor in President Barack Obama's consideration of whether to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. An estimated 30 percent of U.S. soldiers returning from combat experience mental health problems which intensify with repeated deployments, according to Army surveys.
Background
A U.S. Army report produced by the fifth Mental Health Advisory Team discusses the mental health and morale of soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.