After A Decade Of War, The U.S. Army Is Stressed

U.S. Marines zero their weapons systems during Enhanced Mojave Viper, a training exercise at range 107 on Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 6, 2010. The Marines are assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Mojave Viper is designed to prepare Marines for deployment to Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dexter S. Saulisbury

U.S. Army Stressed After Nearly A Decade Of War -- ABC News

Army Report: Crime, Prescription Drug Use Makes Soldiers 'More Dangerous Than the Enemy'.

After nine years of war, the U.S. Army is showing signs of stress because of repeated deployments and inadequate support for soldiers when they return, according to a blunt internal report released today. It blasts the Army's leadership for failing to recognize the problem.

The figures in recent years are staggering.

The number of soldiers committing suicide has increased since 2004, surpassing civilian rates in 2008. Use of prescription drugs has tripled in the past five years; prescription amphetamines use has doubled between 2006 and 2009. One third of soldiers take at least one prescription drug and 14 percent of soldiers are on some form of powerful painkiller.

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My Comment: Everyone is tired .... especially soldiers who decided (before 9/11) to make a career in the military. The stress on themselves, their families .... this is a life not for the faint of heart.