Army tackling leadership's role in soldier suicides

Army Spec. Christopher Journeau died by suicide less than six months after his honorable discharge in 2010. He was 23. /Family photo

"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

In a heartening development in the U.S. Army's efforts to combat suicide in its ranks, steps are being taken to address "toxic" leaders who torment troubled subordinates.

While I found no evidence of toxic leadership playing a role in the 2010 suicide of retired Army Spec. Christopher Journeau, his parents are convinced that callous leadership contributed to his descent into isolation and desperation.

In early 2009, Journeau completed a nine-month deployment to Iraq that included many combat missions in Baghdad. When he returned to the United States, his Stryker unit was sent to Schofield Army Base in Hawaii.

"Apparently, that's when things started surfacing," his mother, Jo-Ann Clark, told me during an interview at her Stratham, N.H., home. "He was having a hard time with coming back."

Before receiving his honorable discharge and coming home to Stratham in January 2010, Journeau was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was directed to attend counseling sessions. But his commanding officers were unsympathetic, Clark said.

"The chain of command wanted him on duty," she said. "They didn't want him to keep his counseling appointments."

In taking measured steps to examine how officers and other leaders may be contributing to suicides, the Army has made a leap forward in addressing problem. It will not be an easy or quick process, but this kind of self examination shows the Army is recognizing there are complexities involved in every suicide.

VETERANS CRISIS HOTLINE
800-273-TALK (8255)
Press 1 for veterans