Tag Archive: civilian suicide rate

Jul 24 2012

Why the US Military’s suicide statistics are dead wrong

Categories:

I’ve seen way too many people regurgitate flawed stats regarding suicide rates in the US Military. It seems that the DoD and / or defense-policy think-tanks have created some palatable ‘synthetic data’. Going back to the 2001-2008 time period, this study seems to be a typical example. It’s from RAND, a large think-tank currently funded by the …

Tags: civilian suicide rate, military suicide, military suicide rate, RAND, science, Suicide

13 comments

About the Author

Justin Griffith is the Military Director for American Atheists. Justin is spearheading Fort Bragg's 'Rock Beyond Belief' atheist festival, and demanding equal treatment for foxhole atheists - including local groups who are currently banned from even meeting on post. After failing the Army's mandatory Spiritual Fitness testing, the remedial training told Justin he could improve his Spiritual Fitness by starting an 'online blog'. You may have heard about it. :) "*Foxhole atheists are fighting for your rights. Please return the favor.*"

Important / FAQs

For Military service members

- How do I fix my official records to say 'ATHEIST'?
In just 5 minutes you can change your records. Walk-throughs provided for all DoD branches. Air Force Navy and Marine Corps can do so online.

- Why should I avoid "NO-REL-PREF" as my religious preference on my official records?
This is a debate-ending reason to fix your records. Also, NRP is just incorrect. Atheists don't have a religion, however, you *do* have a preference about religion.

- How can I avoid saying "So help me god?" and avoid signing contracts with the phrase?
Many service members respectfully refuse, and they are fully within their legal rights to do so. You may face some flack from uninformed superiors, but you will definitely win any challenge they throw at you. Contact me if you need to.

- How one NCO got prayer removed from ceremonies.
Not all service members will have this opportunity but if you are in a position to make a difference, this is a play-by-play of an epic victory.

[Expect this list to grow quite a bit.]

For Civilians

- How can civilians help foxhole atheists?
In as little as 30 seconds you can make a huge difference. Add your phone call or email to a stack of other voices demand justice.

- I like to click on things - can I help?
Yes! Use those sharing buttons, help us spread the word. Join the American Atheists Military facebook group to directly interact with a large number of foxhole atheists. Like the RBB page for blog-post and festival-related discussion.

- How can civilians help to make it safer for service members to be openly atheist?
Show up to Rock Beyond Belief 2 at Camp Pendleton (San Diego, CA).Be a part of history, and stand with us in solidarity in great numbers.

- I hate all of you military thugs, what should I do?
Read this. If you still feel a burning desire to argue with or mock us, please leave your comment in that thread.

Free Thought | Free Festival

The free festival on Fort Bragg's Main Post Parade Field was a massive success! Expect updates, highlights, and other footage over the next few months.

UPDATE: A second festival is in the works for Camp Pendleton - a large Marine Corps base near San Diego, CA. Summer 2013

Like us on Facepalm

The painless way to support Rock Beyond Belief is to 'Like' us on Facebook. It takes 3 seconds. You do support the troops... don't you?

Even more Facepalm
A really awesome Facebook group, American Atheists Military is uniting service members, veterans and supportive civilians. This is where a lot of important issues are first discovered, and brought to light. There is a constant stream of foxhole atheists correcting their dog tags to say 'ATHEIST' and putting them up on the wall. Throw yours up there! No 'anti-war' or 'anarchist' trolling, please.

For those of you wanting to connect directly with Justin Griffith on facebook, there are still a few spots left.

Contact:

Justin Griffith on
Facebook
Twitter
Email

Journalists / bloggers etc: please mention so if your query is time sensitive in the subject line.

Disclaimer

No authors are speaking on behalf of the DoD, or the US Military.

Rock Beyond Belief

Foxhole Atheists are fighting for your rights, please return the favor.

Tag Archive: civilian suicide rate

Why the US Military’s suicide statistics are dead wrong