Mods, move this as you see fit.

This is not a political or religious stance, just an opportunity to raise awareness to an all to real problem for a small percentage of the population that has an overlapping effect on the entire population. 22 veterans commit suicide everyday. It's a troubling statistic. The suicide rate of OEF/OIF surpasses the rate at which we have lost servicemen in those wars. I've personally been effected by this multiple times over. I implore each and everyone of you, reach out to those veterans that you know, just a simple phone call can go a long way.

Below is a story I shared with people I've served with, keep in contact with, and felt compelled to share here, hoping that it can effect a positive change.



I went through my daily routine this morning and was struck by troubling news. For the second time this week we had a shipmate succumb to suicide. I've had the entire day to try to process the loss of a mentor, leader and friend. I've talked with peers and friends and have tried to make sense of it.

I can't.

I'm going to tell an old sea story about how you positively effected me.

We were coming up on the final days of a 10 month deployment, AP had already left and there were very few left in Oki from 11. The night prior to command turnover there was a 3 drink limit put in place. We, as the outgoing battalion were in place to welcome the incoming Seabees. The turnover process was tumultuous, my Xbox was stolen out of the second class lounge/ bar and we were not happy about it. The five or six of us who remained in place took it upon ourselves that we were not going to turnover the lounge under amicable terms. We had the intention of drinking every ounce of alcohol we had in the 2nd class mess.

We came damn close, or so I am told.

The next morning we had a formal muster for the change of command ceremony and it was rough. It was so rough that ole BU2 couldn't stand for the entire evolution. I went down like a sack of potatoes. Embarrassed and ashamed I returned to my room, fully expecting punitive action to follow.

An hour or so after returning to the barracks, I was greeted by ..... ......., we talked for 10-15 minutes, I prefer to keep what was said during that time to myself.

What was said during that conversation has had a profound impact on me and has helped mold me into the leader that I am today. Our leadership styles are so similar and you proved to me that I can lead this way and still be successful.

I'm truly saddened by your passing Chief, but your legacy will live on. You have had a profound impact on so many troops and it was an absolute pleasure to have served with you. To Valhalla my brother. Fair winds and following seas. We have the watch.