Sen. requests investigation into Army suicides

Sen. requests investigation into Army suicides
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 10, 2008 6:34:19 EDT

HOUSTON — Sen. John Cornyn is asking the Army for an independent investigation into a string of suicides among recruiters from the same Houston-based battalion.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote of his concerns in a letter to Army Secretary Pete Geren that was released Thursday.

The Republican senator, referencing the five suicides in seven years by Army recruiters in the city, cited “very troubling” allegations and “serious problems” within the battalion.

According to the letter, which was obtained by the Houston Chronicle for a story in its Friday editions, Army recruiters and their family members have told Cornyn that some battalion leaders have tried to obstruct the investigation. The recruiters also told the senator that leaders hinted that subordinate officers should lie to authorities to avoid portraying the chain of command in an unfavorable light.

Cornyn also wrote that he has been told of “improper and unprofessional” practices such as mass punishment, organized hazing and confrontational “counseling sessions,” in which recruiters are threatened with expulsion from the Army for failing to make monthly quotas.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_recruitersuicides_101008/%2e