Documents reveal Army kept suicidal soldier in Iraq

[kpete]

The last days of Private Scheuerman

The Last Days of Private Scheuerman

Staff
AP News

Dec 19, 2007 14:00 EST

2004



_ Feb. 3: Jason Scheuerman enlists in the Army.

2005

_ January: Scheuerman deploys to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning, Ga.

_ March: Scheuerman comes home on leave from Iraq and tells his father he's struggling to come to terms with combat and killing people.

_ Late May: Scheuerman visits with the chaplain after another soldier watches him place his rifle in his mouth.

_ June 22: Scheuerman sleeps on the floor after being punished by having to do push-ups in front of Iraqi soldiers. He appears "out of touch with reality; in a world all his own" and stared "with a blank look on his face," said his platoon sergeant, who recommends Scheuerman meet with a mental health professional.

_ After the June 22 incident: Scheuerman meets again with the chaplain, who determines Scheuerman is wresting with "deep rooted problems." During the visit, Scheuerman sits with his weapon between his legs and bobs his head on the muzzle of his rifle. The chaplain advises that his rifle should be taken away "immediately."

_Between June 23 and June 25: A counselor meets with Scheuerman, who tells him he is "feeling down regarding being in the military."

_ June 24, June 26 and June 28: Scheuerman is repeatedly reprimanded for indiscretions such as taking out the trash without his weapon, not wearing a neck protector, misplacing a radio.

_ June 28: On a mental health questionnaire, Scheuerman notes that in the past he had experienced suicidal thoughts and that he was uptight, anxious, depressed and had feelings of hopelessness. He's seen by a military psychologist, and denies thoughts of suicide — although he acknowledges having felt irritable, worrying excessively and being obsessive over personal items.

_ July 6, 2005: Scheuerman's mother receives an e-mail from Scheuerman saying he can't deal with things any more. She interprets it as a suicide note and contacts the military. Scheuerman's captain requests he get a mental evaluation, noting that he "displays distant, depression-like symptoms when under stress."

_ July 8: The psychologist meets with Scheuerman a second time and concludes that Scheuerman does not have a mental health disorder. "It is my opinion this soldier is capable of claiming mental illness in order to manipulate his command, shirk duty, or avoid punishment."

_ July 29: Scheuerman's rifle is found in the back of a Humvee.

_ July 30: Scheuerman is punished again for not wearing all pieces of his uniform and failing to secure his weapon. He is given two weeks of extra duty. He is told if he was intentionally misbehaving to get out of the Army, he instead would face a court martial and become somebody's "butt buddy" in prison.

_ July 30, at around 5:30 p.m.: Less than an hour after being punished, he kills himself.

___

Compiled from government documents obtained by the Scheuerman family through Freedom of Information Act requests.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/The_last_days_of_Private_Scheuerman_12192007.html

[magellan]

1. Yes, that's the military I remember

Assholes.

R.I.P. Private. I'm very sorry your country didn't return the favor and come to your aid when you needed it.