By Michele Tan - Staff writer, Army Times.com
Posted: Thursday Jan 29, 2009 10:45:21 EST
Army Secretary Pete Geren has ordered a stand-down of the Army's entire recruiting force and a review of almost every aspect of the job is underway in the wake of a wide-ranging investigation of four suicides in the Houston Recruiting Battalion. Poor command climate, failing personal relationships and long, stressful work days were factors in the suicides, the investigation found. The investigation officer noted a "threatening" environment in the battalion and that leaders may have tried to influence statements from witnesses.
"There were some things found that are disturbing," said Brig. Gen. Del Turner, deputy commanding general for Accessions Command and the officer who conducted the investigation.
While he declined to discuss what action might be taken, Turner has recommended disciplinary action against battalion- and brigade level commanders He declined to discuss what action might be taken.
The report was not made public, with officials citing extensive personal information contained in the report
The four recruiters who killed themselves were all combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army did not identify them. Read the full article
