22. Do you know what 22 is? 22 is the number of young military veterans that take their own lives everyday. It is an epidemic that can be prevented, yet so little is done to actually address the issue. For one day that is a lot. The number surpasses the number of suicides by civilians by 2 times. Is it because of the operational tempo at which military members deploy and separate from their families and loved ones? Is it due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Is 22 an accurate number and should we be concerned that this number would create an unhealthy stereotype that all military members of the armed forces have a wire lose somewhere? The truth is, the vast majority of our young veterans are okay. Most of them are healthy and doing well. Most of them have strong, everlasting friendships. The pay isn't even that bad. The military provides enough money and allowances for food, shelter, education, healthcare and beer. So why are they killing themselves? I believe the answer to this is one simple phrase. "High expectations." In the military, members are taught to have a slightly greater than zero tolerance for failure. Military members have sharper instincts, they show up on time, they have a greater understanding of responsibility and have an uncanny sense of attention to detail. That type of stuff cannot be taught in college. Teenagers are thrown into bootcamp and are challenged mentally and physically and are forced to make swift decisions as if their life and the lives of their fellow members depend on it. Military members are taught to adapt and overcome any adversary that may come along the way in life, however the one thing that isn't taught... is dealing with failure. Everything that is done, there is an "instruction" or manual for it. Instructions must be followed or consequences will be dealt with via the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Of course, there is annual "training" to identify that there is indeed a problem with suicide, but given how military members are programmed, failure is too much. The problem is, high expectations are expected. There's gotta be a phrase that says if you keep your expectations low, than you'll never be disappointed. The cure for suicide? There isn't any, but you know what helps? The Swahili's got it right. "HAKUNA MATATA."
