WASHINGTON, Mar 7, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. soldiers repeatedly deployed
to Iraq are at greater risk of having mental health issues, a military study
revealed.
The U.S. Army report indicated enlisted soldiers on their third or fourth tours
of duty showed signs of depression or other disorders in higher proportions than
those on their first or second deployments, the Los Angeles Times reported
Friday.
This study is the first to draw conclusions about troops on their third or
fourth tours, the authors said. The information likely will increase calls by
senior Army officials to reduce the length of combat tours and increase the time
between deployments, the Times reported.
The report showed 27.2 percent of non-commissioned officers -- sergeants who
lead troops in combat -- reported mental health problems such as depression,
anxiety and stress disorder during their third or fourth tours. The percentage
was 18.5 percent of those on their second tour and 11.9 percent of those on
their first tour.
"Soldiers are not resetting entirely before they get back into theater," said
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Paul Bliese, study team leader. "They're not having the
opportunity to completely recover from the previous deployment when they go back
into theater for the second or third deployment."
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Copyright 2008 by United Press International