Published: 01-28-09
“I believe this issue has significant implications for our all-volunteer Army and as such requires further oversight by Congress”
WASHINGTON—Following completion of an Army investigation into a string of suicides at the Houston Recruiting Battalion U.S. Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas today sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee requesting hearings on the overall issue of recruiter suicides.
Sen. Cornyn was briefed yesterday by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren Commanding General of the U.S. Army Accessions Command LTG Benjamin C. Freakley and investigating officer BG Frank Turner on the findings of the investigation.
“It is clear to me that the Army has and continues to give this matter very serious attention and I was impressed with the thoroughness of this investigation into these four unfortunate deaths” Sen. Cornyn said. “I believe this issue has significant implications for our all-volunteer Army and as such requires further oversight by Congress. To that end I have sent a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee requesting hearings on this matter.”
Background
After learning of the string of suicides within the Houston Recruiting Battalion Sen. Cornyn wrote two letters to Secretary Geren expressing serious concern in a number of areas and calling for a thorough unbiased investigation. Shortly thereafter per direction from the Secretary of the Army BG Turner began a broad comprehensive investigation into these issues.
Full text of letter
Dear Chairman Levin and Ranking Member McCain:
I write today to request a Committee hearing on the recent trend of suicides by U.S. Army recruiting personnel. I believe this issue has significant implications for our all-volunteer Army and as such requires further oversight by Congress.
As you are aware our military recruiters are critical to our efforts in Iraq Afghanistan and on all fronts in the Long War. These young men and women many of whom assume their duties following combat deployments are under enormous strain to meet their recruiting missions that are vital to sustaining our all-volunteer force. In fact each of the four soldiers in the Houston Recruiting Battalion who committed suicide had previously deployed and served our nation in combat a fact which bears further examination.
I have received a tremendous outpouring of letters and calls pertaining to these issues from both Texas constituents and others. These individuals many of them current or past recruiters have informed me that these problems are not limited to the Houston Recruiting Battalion or even the Army and may in fact be widespread across our Armed Forces.
On October 9 2008 I wrote to the Secretary of the Army Pete Geren requesting that the Army thoroughly investigate these tragic deaths in the Houston Recruiting Battalion and the reported problems there which include poor command climate and low morale. Yesterday the Army briefed me on the results of its investigation and I believe a Committee hearing is now warranted.
I strongly believe that this alarming trend which is further evidence of the strain on our current force necessitates the attention of Congress and specifically the Senate Armed Services Committee. I appreciate your consideration of my request.
Sincerely
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
