Suicidal Behavior in US Army Special Operations Forces

Does suicide risk differ for US Army special operations forces (SOF) operators (elite soldiers trained in unconventional warfare), SOF support personnel (soldiers who assist operators and SOF missions), and all other soldiers?In this cohort study with 48 103 189 person-months (PM) from regular enlisted soldiers, including 980 406 PM from SOF operators and 1 780 514 PM from SOF support soldiers, SOF operators had lower rates of suicide ideation and suicide attempt than other soldiers but similar rates of suicide death, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and career differences.These findings suggest that although operators are less likely than other soldiers to engage in suicidal behavior, it is more likely to be fatal when they do.

Corresponding Author: Robert J. Ursano, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814 (robert.ursano@usuhs.edu).

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