WASHINGTON - A top US Army commander says suicide is having an impact on every segment of the Army at a time when its force is 'tired and stretched' by war.
In prepared testimony on Wednesday before a Senate subcommittee, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen Peter Chiarelli says troops have been taking their own lives from all ranks.
Gen Chiarelli says relationship problems appear to be factor in a majority of the suicides, but he adds that the stress of a deployment can worsen other problems in a soldier's life.
Gen Chiarelli is vowing to tackle the problem of suicides in the Army.
Last year, the Army had 140 suicides among active-duty troops, an all-time high.
It reported 24 suspected suicides in January, followed by 18 suspected last month.-- AP
