Fort Stewart, Georgia, soldier suicide and chaplain care shoved down their throats

[Horse with no Name]

First of all, I want to again thank those who sent their wishes to me after my cousin committed suicide. They were very comforting.
After looking through some things--I am not going to share the entire story of "how" things happened, but I will say that in the end, he was given the proper recognition--even if it was posthumous.
I remember posting here several years ago that after one family Christmas, my brother--who is also in the service--said that it was getting "freaky" the way that Christianity was being used in the military. He was actually told by a couple of the men UNDER his rank that they "shunned him" because he did not allow them to read the Bible during their working hours. He was THEIR superior officer and THEY shunned him? How does that work? Anyway.
Of course, that is another story, but we have all read how pervasive religion became in the Air Force, Army, Marines and the Navy.
Perhaps it is my jaded view, I really couldn't say. But I was going through the Fort Stewart website and this particular thing struck me.
Please keep in mind that these are some of the MOST FREQUENTLY deployed units in the country. Also, please keep in mind that their soldier suicide rate is staggering.
IN ALMOST EVERY INSTANCE OF CRISIS, whether it was someone feeling suicidal, domestic violence, homicidal tendencies...the FIRST place of help that the soldiers and their families are given is "chaplain care". :wtf: Even in domestic violence, LAST on the list is a women's shelter.
http://www.soc.mil/Fam_Support/CrisisSupport/Stewart/Stewart_qas.html
I think we need to push hard for PROFESSIONAL help for our military. Praying is NOT an adequate resource to recommend as a first line of treatment for those that have seen horrors we cannot even imagine. Chaplains/religion most definitely have their place. But not in the front lines of treatment.

[noamnety]

1. The lists on that site are in alphabetical order.

That's why chaplain care is first, women's shelter is last.

(Religion IS pervasive and pushed on us in the military, but the order of the list there isn't a symptom of it.)

[Horse with no Name]

4. Really?

Then explain this entry?

I'm new to the military, I have three young children, I would like to work outside of my home and I don't have family in the area. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Who can I talk to?

Army Family Team Building 767-2382
New Parent Support Group 767-5063
Job Assistance Program 767-5051
Family Readiness Group
Child Abuse or Neglect (Military) 767-8104

[noamnety]

5. They have some screwups but were shooting for alphabetical

Looks like some sections were alphabetized, others not. The one you're concerned with seems to be.

My spouse is irritable, short-tempered, and verbally abusive. Who can I call for help?

Chaplain (Family Life Section) 767-8549/7028
Crisis Line (24 hrs) 767-4357
Domestic Abuse Hotline (800) 799-SAFE
Domestic Abuse and Prevention 767-5058
Domestic Violence Shelter [phone]
Family Advocacy Program 767-5058
Family Readiness Group
Military Police 767-4895
Women Center [phone]


(I'd prefer not to see military chaplains on there at all as they have a conflict of interest, but that's another issue.)

[Captain Hilts]

2. The chaplains do so much more than pray. Really. nt

[PDJane]

3. I am so sorry....

But you are quite correct in saying that Chaplain Care is not a replacement for proper professional care and rehabilitation. In fact, IMHO, religion is liable to muddy the situation further and has a tendency to encourage a blame the victim (at least in my experience.

This is just another outrageous hangover from the Bush years, and it's unsupportable.