U.S. Soldier Attacks Fellow Troops at Camp Liberty in Baghdad
By Helen Kennedy
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A shell-shocked U.S. soldier shot and killed five comrades at a military stress clinic in Baghdad Monday, shining a new light on the growing psychological toll of war.
The troubled soldier was in custody, officials said.
There were conflicting reports about whether anyone else was wounded. One military spokesman said no one else was hurt; another said three soldiers were wounded.
It was unclear if the dead were staff at the clinic or traumatized troops seeking counseling there.
"Such a tragic loss of life, at the hands of our own forces, is a cause for great and urgent concern," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.
"It will get this department's highest-priority attention."
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said the tragedy suggests the military needs to "redouble our efforts in terms of dealing with the stress" and ease multiple deployments.
One in five soldiers return from Iraq or Afghanistan with psychological problems ranging from insomnia to suicide attempts.
White House spokesman said President Obama was shocked and saddened by the rampage and would meet with Gates this afternoon to discuss the matter.
"Any time we lose one of our own, it affects us all," said Army Col. John Robinson, a military spokesman in Iraq.
"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of all the service members involved in this terrible tragedy."
The slaughter took place at 2 p.m. Iraq time at high-security Camp Liberty near the Baghdad International Airport, the Pentagon said.
It's one of the world's largest military bases and home to some 50,000 troops.
The Combat Stress Control Center, built of exposed pine and designed as a cozy retreat from the trauma of war, has 48 beds and a staff of 45 and is always busy.
It is run by Maj. Kevin Gormley, commander of the 98th Combat Stress Control unit.
The names of the dead were withheld pending family notifications.
This was not the first time a U.S. soldier in Iraq has snapped and fired on his colleagues.
Last Sept. 14, Sgt. Joseph Bozicevich killed two of his superiors at a base south of Baghdad. He claimed they constantly berated him and he couldn't take it anymore.
A RAND Corp. report found that 20% of the soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan - about 300,000 troops - suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression.
PSTD is caused by combat trauma such as being wounded or witnessing others being hurt can cause PTSD. Symptoms include outbursts of anger, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating and an exaggerated startle response.
Several studies have warned that there aren't enough shrinks and therapists to properly care for the flood of soldiers returning from combat with mental problems.
In the first six months of last year, 21 troops committed suicide in Iraq and another 39 killed themselves after returning home, the Pentagon reported.
The military is working hard to remove the stigma that soldiers may feel about seeking help - and more are now talking to counselors.
Every new soldier arriving in Iraq is handed a card detailing the warning signs for depression and suicide.
Monday's attack was the deadliest strike on U.S. troops since April 10, when an Iraqi suicide bomber blew up his truck in the city of Mosul, killing five American soldiers.
Reader Comments
Punishment
As a Sergeant in a deployed unit, stationed at Camp Liberty... not far at all from the happenings that this story is about... I have to say that every time something like this happens, an incident where a soldier, sailor, marine or airmen commits a crime or is victim of an accident... we all pay. We all become treated different... and the military is being deconstructed and geared towards those who are sensitive and have more needs than most women in the armed forces. If this is the military you want fighting for you, one that needs combat stress just to get away from work... just to get away from their leadership... just to get out of the heat... than your priorities are jacked up. Hopefully the Gov't downsizes the military and we can let go of those who are repeat offenders to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and those who regularly get notes from "doctors" saying they are too stressed to carry a weapon or wear protective gear in a "combat" zone (physical profiles). Then you'll no longer have to worry about a service member who can't handle the stress... snapping! Then you won't have to worry about your loved one in the service, being killed by one of their own. You want a solution!? Get rid of combat stress, and take those who need it, and let them out of the military... that's what they really want. They can't handle taking direction in a peaceful "combat" zone? How will they act when leaving the wire? They are a danger to others as well as themselves, especially when the service member to their left depends on them to lead. This tragedy is regretful and the families have my condolences. But it all could have been avoided. Let those looking for a ticket out of the military, get out. Then they won't malinger or fight every which way not to have to work. Which is why they go to combat stress in the first place, most people. I'm sure there is a rare case that is genuine. And those people should be diagnosed and chaptered out immediately. Others who catch their spouses cheating on them or spending all their money at home... there's another department for that... JAG! By now, if we don't know before attempting to kill our spouses, that we will end up in prison... probably for life... then we should just ask to go to prison... or Iraq, either way.
mother in law of soldier at camp liberty
I'm sorry about your family situation but maybe in this case it might be safer for your son in law to stay far from home. In 1995 I met a Sgt in Korea who I strongly believe that he was a distant relative. We had an unusual last name of Basque origin. To make a long story short, he returned home and found out that his wife was cheating on him. He snapped and killed her, their children, and then himself. I don't know if staying in Korea would've helped. You might want to talk to a professional about this situation because it can become tragic. It isn't my intention to scare you but to forewarn you of what may happen. I would suggest talking to your daughter about her behavior and the consequences.
As for Sgt. Russell, I knew him. I can assure you that he is a nice gentle person who must've been provoked and I am sure that he genuinely feels bad about what happened.
camp liberty
i have a son in law over there and my daughter is cheating on him and i know he is under so much stress with what is going on over there and at home. he asked if he could get leave to come home to try to resolve what was going on over here and they told him no. how is he suppose to try to keep himself safe over in iraq if he has problems at home? they dont care about our soldiers over there. i'm so afraid with what happened there that it could happen again.
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