X

SER 

SUICIDE EVENT REPORT 

Defense Centers ot Excellence for Psychological 

Health & 1iraumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) 

t2health.dcoe.mil 

The estimated cost of this report or study for the Department 

of Defense is approximately $45,000 for the 2015 Fiscal Year. 

This includes $1 ,550 in expenses and $44,000 in DoD labor. 

Generated on 2015Jul16 ReflD: 6-9C3997A 

DEFENSE CENTERS 

OF EXCELLENCE 

For Psychological Health 

& Traumatic Brain Injury 
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 

4000 DEFENSE PENTAGON 

WASHINGTON, O.C. 20301-4000 

JAN l 3 2016 

PERSONNEL AND 

READINESS 

Dear Military Leaders and Community Members: 

Suicide prevention is a top priority for the Department of Defense. Monitoring and 

analyzing suicide events informs programming, research activities, and intervention strategies. 

Since 2008, the Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) program has served as 

the Department's principal suicide surveillance tool. Within the DoDSER, the Military 

Departments collect and report on Service member suicide events and associated factors. The 

report identifies several domains that inform suicide prevention efforts, including details about 

event circumstances, behavioral health diagnoses, psychosocial stressors, demographics, and 

deployment histories. 

Annually, a quantitative report is generated from the DoDSER data. The Calendar Year 

2014 DoDSER Annual Report contains a compilation of detailed statistical information gathered 

on suicides and suicide attempts among Service members of the Active and Reserve components 

of the Air Force, Anny, Navy, and Marine Corps. 

I encourage you to become familiar with this document. The dissemination of the data 

contained within this report provides leaders with valuable information to guide and refine 

ongoing suicide prevention efforts. Thank you for your continued support in our efforts to 

combat the scourge of suicide deaths in the military. 

Sincerely, 

Brad Carson 

Acting Principal Deputy 
DoDSER CY 2014 

Acknowledgements 

The Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) is prepared annually by the 

National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2), and made possible by the dedicated efforts of 

many partner organizations. 

We wish to thank the Services' many behavioral health providers and command-designated 

officals who collect, verify and input the data required by this system. We are grateful to the 

Services' Suicide Prevention Program Managers (SPPMs) and DoDSER Program Managers who 

supervise the DoDSER data collection. In particular, Lt. Col. Kathleen Crimmins (Air Force 

SPPM), Mr. John Wills (Army DoDSER Program Manager), Jessica Jagger, Ph.D., M.S.W. 

(Marine Corps Behavioral Health Data Surveillance) and Ms. Kim Myers (21st Century Sailor 

Office). 

We sincerely thank the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) for their assistance in 

determining the suicide rates for calendar year (CY) 2014, confirming suicide cases reported in 

the DoDSER system and the data on manner of death and toxicology. We also thank the Defense 

Manpower Data Center (DMDC) for providing data on Service member demographics and 

deployment histories, and also acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the Sexual Assault 

Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) regarding the inclusion of information on the 

occurrence of sexual assault among those who engage in suicidal behavior. 

We also wish to recognize the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO), with which T2 

partners in the release and dissemination of the DoDSER Annual Report. 

This report, and the DoDSER system as a whole, would not be possible without the skillful work 

of many T2 staff members who translate the technical and administrative requirements of the 

DoDSER data collection system into the Department of Defense's (DoD) primary resource for 

monitoring and reporting on the complex and challenging topic of suicides that occur within 

America's Military Services. 

The DoDSER team's mission is inherently somber and difficult; nevertheless the valuable work 

of all the aforementioned partner organizations allows the significance of this important mission 

to be appreciated. 

Authors: 

Larry D. Pruitt, Ph.D. 

Derek J. Smolenski, Ph.D., M.P.H. 

Nigel 

Mark A 

E. Bush, 

Reger, 

Ph.D. 

Ph.D. • 

Nancy A Skopp, Ph.D. 

Col Rick L. Campise, Ph.D., ABPP 

ii 
DoDSER CY 2014 

Table of Contents 

Contents 

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... ii 

Table of Contents ..... ....... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .iii 

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. iv 

Preface ................................................................................................................................................... viii 

CHAPTER 1 METHODLOLOGY ..... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ........ l 

DoDSER Items .......................................................................................................................................... 2 

Data Quality .............................................................................................................................................. 6 

Rate Data ................................................................................................................................................... 8 

Statistical Analysis of Determinants ....................................................................................................... 13 

Interpretive Considerations ................ ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ..... 14 

CHAPTER2 SUICIDE RATES ................................................................................................................. 16 

CHAPTER 3 JOINT DoDSER DATA ACROSS THE SERVICES .......................................................... 34 

CHAPTER4 U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSERDATA ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .. ..... 52 

CHAPTER 5 U.S. ARMY DoDSER DATA .............................................................................................. 70 

CHAPTER6 U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSERDATA ............................................................................. 88 

CHAPTER 7 U.S. NAVY DoDSERDATA ......... ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ .... 106 

CHAPTER 8 SELECTED RESERVE ...................................................................................................... 124 

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................... 129 

APPENDIX B ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................... 133 

APPENDIX C LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ 135 

APPENDIX D FEEDBACK & SUGGESTIONS .................................................................................... 138 

iii 
DoDSER CY 2014 

Executive Summary 

The Annual Report of the Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) system 

presents data on suicides and suicide attempts that occurred from January 1, 2014 through 

December 31, 2014. The goal of the DoDSER program is to characterize and contextualize 

suicide-related events in a manner that is comprehensive and accurate, and which informs 

decision-making authorities about suicide prevention and intervention strategies. 

The DoDSER Annual Report comprises data from the Active and Reserve components of the Air 

Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. This includes data from the Army National Guard and Air 

National Guard. Aggregated data for each Service are presented in their own chapter and are also 

included in a summative chapter. 

Data for each DoDSER report were collected by the Services and augmented by data from the 

Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES; for active duty suicide decedents) and the 

Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC; for suicide decedents and suicide attempts). All 

personally identifiable information in this report has been redacted for privacy reasons. 

Key Findings at a Glance 

Suicide deaths 

• Per the AFMES, as of March 31, 2015, 269 Active Component deaths and 169 Reserve 

Component deaths were attributable to suicide. Table 1 shows the distribution of these 

deaths across each Service. 

Table 1 Summary of Suicide Deaths by Component and Service 

Component and Service Count % of total 

Active Component 

Air Force 60 13.7 

Army 122 27.9 

Marine Corps 34 7.8 

Navy 53 12.1 

Reserve Component 

All Reserve 80 18.3 

All National Guard 89 20.3 

iv 
Executive Summary DoDSER CY 2014 

• Overall, the data indicated that the most common demographic characteristics for Service 

members who died by suicide included: 

o Gender: Male 

o Race: White/Caucasian 

o Ethnicity: Non-Hispanic 

o Age: Under 30 years of age 

o Military Grade: Enlisted (El-E9) 

o Education: High-school graduate or below 

• The most common methods of suicide included the use of firearms (n = 192, 68.3% of all 

suicide DoDSER reports) and hanging (n = 70, 24.9% of all suicide DoDSER reports). 

The majority of firearms that were used (n = 177, 92.2% of suicides attributed to 

firearms) were not military-issued. 

• The most common behavioral health diagnoses identified in suicide DoDSER reports 

were mood (n = 74, 26.3% of all suicide DoDSER reports) and adjustment (n = 68, 

24.2% of all suicide DoDSER reports) disorders. 

• Failed relationships (n = 118, 42.0% of all suicide DoDSER reports) and 

administrative/legal issues (n = 92, 32.7%) in the 90 days prior to suicide were the most 

frequently cited psychosocial stressors in suicide DoDSER reports. 

• A history of deployment was identified in 153 suicide DoDSER reports (54.4%). 

Suicide attempts 

• A total of 1,126 suicide attempts were reported from the four Services. Table 2 shows the 

distribution of suicide attempt DoDSER reports across each Service. 

Table 2 Summary of Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports by Component and 

Service 

Service Count % of total 

Air Force 247 21.9 

Army 

Marine Corps 

Navy 

514 

242 

123 

45.6 

21.5 

10.9 

V 
DoDSER CY 2014 Executive Summary 

• Overall, the data indicated that the most common demographic characteristics for Service 

members who attempted suicide, included: 

o Gender: Male 

o Race: White/Caucasian 

o Ethnicity: Non-Hispanic 

o Age: Under 30 years of age 

o Military Grade: Enlisted (El- E4) 

o Education: High-school graduate or below 

• The most common method of attempting suicide was the use of drugs (illicit or 

prescription) and/or alcohol (n = 633, 56.2% of suicide attempt DoDSER reports). 

• The most common behavioral health diagnoses identified in suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports were mood (n = 370, 32.9% of suicide attempt DoDSER reports), anxiety (n = 

288, 25.6% of suicide attempt DoDSER reports) and adjustment disorders (n = 305, 

2 7. I% of suicide attempt DoD SER reports). 

• Failed or failing relationships (n = 483, 42.9% of suicide attempt DoDSER reports) and 

workplace difficulties (n = 403, 35.8% of suicide attempt DoDSER reports) in the 90 

days prior to the event were the most frequently cited psychosocial stressors among 

suicide attempt DoDSER reports. 

• A history of deployment was identified in 444 suicide attempt DoDSER reports (39.4% 

of suicide attempt DoDSER reports). 

Suicide rates and statistical analysis 

• The rate of suicide for the Active Component, all Services, was 19. 9 per I 00, 000 Service 

members. This list shows the rates of suicide for the Active Component of each Service: 

o Air Force: 18.5 per 100,000 Service members 

o Army: 23.8 per 100,000 Service members 

o Marine Corps: 17.9 per 100,000 Service members 

o Navy: 16.3 per 100,000 Service members 

• The rate of suicide for the Reserve Component of the Selected Reserve (SELRES; 

irrespective of duty status) was 21. 9 per I 00, 000 Service members. The rate of suicide 

among the National Guard (irrespective of duty status) was 19.4 per 100,000 Service 

members. 

vi 
Executive Summary DoDSER CY 2014 

• There were no statistically significant differences between the CY 2014 military suicide 

rate and the CY 2013 U.S. population suicide rate after adjusting for differences in age 

and sex. 

• Compared to the suicide DoDSER reports from CY 2013, those submitted for CY 2014 

did not show a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of legal/administrative 

problems, mental health diagnosis, prior history of self-harm, use of psychotropic 

mediations within 90 days of the event, relationship problems or workplace difficulties. 

• There was a statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of deployment history 

from CY 2013 to CY 2014 among suicide DoDSER reports. 

• There were no statistically significant differences between suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports for CY 2014 in the prevalence of legal/administrative problems, 

deployment history or relationship problems after adjusting for baseline population 

characteristics. 

• CY 2014 Suicide DoDSER reports indicated lower prevalence of: (a) any prior mental 

health diagnosis; (b) prior history of self-harm; ( c) use of psychotropic medications 

within 90 days of the event; and (d) workplace/financial difficulties compared to suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. 

• The comparison ofDoDSER suicide attempt reports from CY 2013 with those submitted 

for CY 2014 indicated that most factors were consistent with estimates from CY 2013. 

One exception was a reduction in the prevalence of a history of deployment. 

Conclusions 

The DoDSER system, and the resulting Annual Report, is designed to improve and standardize 

data surveillance across the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. Overall, the descriptive 

findings from the CY 2014 reporting period are very similar to patterns identified in recent years. 

The data are also consistent with patterns observed in the U.S. general population as described in 

the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) developed by the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the rate of suicide remains higher 

among the Active and Reserve Components of the United States Military Services than the 

historical levels observed prior to 2003, even after adjusting for age and sex of the population. 

vii 
DoDSER CY 2014 

Preface 

Background 

The DoDSER program is a collaborative effort among T2, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office 

(DSPO) and the Suicide Prevention Program Offices of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and 

Navy. The objective of this program is to create and refine a system for collecting and reporting 

data on a set of core standardized variables that are critical for characterizing suicide-related 

behavior within the DoD. 

Since January 1, 2008 the DoDSER program has been working to facilitate the DoD's suicideprevention mission by providing policy makers and suicide-prevention offices with the highestquality, and most accurate and comprehensive information possible on which to base decisions. 

With the exception of the U.S. Marine Corps, the DoDSER data-collection process begins when 

the AFMES either officially determines, or receives a determination from civilian authorities, 

that the manner of a death is suicide. For the U.S. Marine Corps, DoDSER data collection begins 

immediately following a suspected suicide. When this occurs, a designated uniformed Service 

member or professional civilian staff member reviews medical and behavioral health records, 

conducts interviews when appropriate, collects data from additional sources when necessary 

(e.g., the personnel record) and then enters those data into the secure Web-based DoDSER 

application (https://dodser.t2.health.mil). 

This system was expanded on January 1, 2010 to include suicide attempts that resulted in 

hospitalization or evacuation from a theater of operations for all Services. Additionally, the Army 

uses the DoDSER report form to collect data on instances of suicidal ideation or self-harm 

resulting in hospitalization or evacuation from theater, to include evacuations from theater where 

the injury or injurious intent is self-directed (self-harm). 

Per policy, the DoDSER program collected data on suicides for all Service members in a duty 

status at the time of their death or of suicide attempts, including Service members in the 

Reserves and National Guard. During the CY 2014 reporting period, each of the Services 

achieved 100% submission compliance for eligible cases. The date used for case identification of 

suicide rates was March 31, 2015. Cases in which the Active Component Service member was 

either absent without leave (AWOL) or in a deserter status when the event occurred were not 

eligible to be included in this report. Deaths and suicide attempts that occurred when a member 

of the SELRES was not in a duty status were also ineligible for inclusion in the DoDSER system. 

However, preliminary demographic data on this sub-group of the SELRES population were 

viii 
Preface DoDSER CY 2014 

included in the DoDSER Annual Report. These data were obtained from the AFMES with 

demographic characteristics provided by the DMDC. 

The CY 2014 DoDSER report form contains more than 500 data elements, per report, to provide 

comprehensive information about the Service member, the psychosocial and emotional context 

of their life, military history, legal/disciplinary actions, and the specific characteristics of the 

event. Data related to demographic characteristics and deployment histories were provided by 

the DMDC to ensure the accuracy of these administrative data elements. The date used for case 

identification of suicide rates was March 31, 2015. The use of external enterprise data was 

intended to improve the overall quality of the data reported herein. 

DoDSER System and Report Improvements for CY 2014 

The DoDSER system makes continual efforts to improve the overall quality and completeness of 

the data that are collected and reported. This year, four important changes have occurred in this 

regard: 

1. Basic DMDC data on demographic factors have been incorporated into the report for 

members of the SELRES populations of the four Services who were not in a duty status 

at the time of their death. The DoDSERAnnual Report from the previous year only 

contained information on members of the SELRES who were in a duty status when their 

death occurred. 

2. This report includes rate standardization to the overall United States population to 

compare the observed number of suicides in each Service and component to the expected 

number given the age- and gender-specific rates of suicide in the U.S. population. For 

more information, see the Rate Standardization section. 

3. The report principally provides descriptive data on the demographic, military, contextual, 

medical and behavioral health factors associated with suicide and suicide attempts. 

However, statistical analyses are also provided to compare the prevalence of a defined set 

of determinants between reports of suicide-related death and reports of attempted suicide. 

4. Data were provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention and 

Response Office (SAPRO) on the number ofDoDSER reports associated with suicide 

deaths and suicide attempts that were also associated with unrestricted reports of sexual 

assault filed within the year prior, as well as any year prior, to the suicide-related event. 

ix 
DoDSER CY 2014 Preface 

Guiding Questions 

Two important questions related to suicide surveillance guide the DoDSER Annual Report: 

1. What is the rate of suicide among Service members? 

2. What is the distribution of known or suspected determinants of suicide behavior 

among Service members? 

To answer the first question, the AFMES identified suicide decedents during the calendar year 

and used data from the DMDC on the Service population during CY 2014 to calculate mortality 

rates (see Chapter 1 for additional details on the calculations performed to produce the rates 

presented in this report). Rate data are presented separately for Service members in the Active 

Component and Service members in the Reserves and National Guard, irrespective of duty 

status. 

To answer the second question, T2 developed and maintains an electronic surveillance system to 

collect descriptive data on suicides and suicide attempts among Service members who are in a 

duty status at the time of the event. At present, the mandate for the surveillance system does not 

extend to Service members in the Reserves and National Guard who are not in a duty status. 

However, to provide a broader understanding of this population as it relates to suicide, basic 

demographic and military data for SELRES Service members who were not in a duty status are 

presented in this report. 

All CY 2014 suicides that were confirmed by the AFMES on or before January 31, 2015 were 

required to have a DoDSER report form submitted by March 31, 2015. Those deaths in which 

the manner was confirmed as suicide after this deadline may also have had a DoDSER report 

form submitted, but it was not required given the minimum time allowed to submit a report 

following the confirmation of a suicide and the timeline for developing the DoDSER Annual 

Report. Table 3 shows the relationship of the suicide deaths used in the rate calculations to those 

included in the DoDSER data. Please note that suicides that occurred among Reserve Component 

Service members who were not in a duty status at the time of the event were identified by each 

Service and reported to the AFMES. The AFMES did not actively monitor data related to those 

cases. 

X 
Preface DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 3 Suicide Confirmation and Duty Status Active 

Component SELRES Total 

Suicide confirmed or pending as of March 31, 2015 269 169 438 

Duty Status (Active) 269 21 290 

Confirmed by January 31, 2015 (DoDSER 

required) 

218 19 237 

DoDSER submitted 218 19 237 

Confirmed after January 31, 2015 or pending 

confirmation (DoDSER not required) 

51 2 53 

DoDSER submitted 43 1 44 

DoDSER not submitted 8 1 9 

Not in a duty status 0 148 148 

Caveats 

With the exception of the aforementioned adjusted rates and statistical analyses, the DoDSER 

Annual Report provides purely descriptive information regarding the prevalence of various 

suspected risk and protective factors related to suicide. Statistical comparisons of selected 

determinants between suicides and suicide attempts between CY 2013 and CY 2014 are provided 

to facilitate comparison between group and over time, but do not allow for any causal inference. 

The DoDSER system does not systematically collect concurrent data on non-cases (i.e., control 

participants). Collection of such data exceeds the surveillance mandate of this program. 

Independently planned and executed research is required before definitive conclusions or 

inferences can be made about the role of any specific risk or protective factor. 

xi 
DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTER! 

METHODOLOGY 

1 
CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

DoDSER Items 

The items contained within the DoDSER report form were developed to provide a 

comprehensive set of information obtained from a wide variety of sources. 

The goal of the DoDSER program is to facilitate the DoD's understanding of suicide and inform 

suicide-prevention efforts by systematically and comprehensively characterizing suicide 

behavior. The current DoDSER content was developed through a careful process that included: 

• Structured reviews from each of the Services' historical suicide-surveillance 

systems/procedures 

• Workgroup deliberations with representation from all four Services, including the Suicide 

Prevention Program Managers (SPPM) 

• A systematic review of the suicide literature 

• Feedback on content from nationally recognized civilian and military experts 

• Feedback from senior military leaders and key stakeholders. 

Each year a workgroup, which includes representatives from all of the Services, meets to refine 

the DoDSER report form's items based on the Services' evolving needs. The DoDSER content is 

organized into the categories shown in Table 4. 

Table 4 DoDSER Content Areas 

Category Example of content 

Demographic characteristics Age, sex, ethnicity, education, marital status 

Historical and developmental factors Military history, family history, life events 

Contextual factors Access to firearms, event method, event setting 

Clinical health factors Behavioral and medical history 

These categories were combined with specific sections on deployment history and a 

comprehensive set of questions related to event characteristics to produce the current DoDSER 

report form that contains more than 500 individual data elements. 

2 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

Data Collection Process and Data Sources 

DoDSER reports were required for all suicides that occurred within the Active Component and 

the Reserves and National Guard, provided the Service member was in a duty status at the time 

of the event. All Services were also required to submit DoDSER reports for suicide attempts that 

result in hospitalization or evacuation from a theater of operations. Additionally, the Army 

requires DoDSER reports for other nonfatal events (self-harm and suicidal ideation). 

The DoDSER report forms are completed using a Web-based system that is available via the 

Internet and submitted through a secure website (https://dodser.t2.health.mil/). The DoDSER 

system is hosted at a DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Processapproved facility. Basic data entry users do not have access to any DoDSER data other than that 

which they collect and submit themselves. 

The descriptive DoDSER data presented in this report were compiled from DoDSER report 

forms completed and submitted by respondents across the DoD, both inside and outside the 

continental United States. The process for identifying suicides and completing DoDSER reports 

was similar across all Services. Instances of death by suicide were closely tracked between the 

SPPMs and the AFMES in order to maintain an official list of confirmed suicides and to meet 

reporting timelines: 

• For the Air Force, the Office of Special Investigations was the primary data-collection 

agency that received the AFMES notification and completed the DoDSER reports within 

60 days. 

• For the Army, the Army Institute of Public Health DoDSER Program Manager received 

the AFMES notification and contacted the behavioral health point of contact (POC) at the 

Service member's assigned medical treatment facility and requested a behavioral health 

clinician to complete a DoDSER report within 60 days. 

• For the Navy, following confirmation from the AFMES, the SPPMs' office contacted the 

local command and requested an appropriate POC to meet the requirement within 60 

days. 

• For the Marine Corps, the DoDSER Program Manager's office contacted the local 

command and requested an appropriate POC to meet the requirement within 15 working 

days. 

Per policy, a minimum of 90 days are required between the end of a calendar year and the 

calculation of a given year's suicide rate 1

. Therefore, March 31, 2015 was established as the date 

for finalizing the data collection period for CY 2014 in the DoDSER system. This date reflects 

3 
CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

the typical amount of time the AFMES requires to confirm any deaths that occurred on the last 

day of a calendar year, combined with the 60-day (maximum) window the Services have to 

complete a report after AFMES provides official notification of the manner of death. 

Deaths that are confirmed after January 31 of a given year still require a DoDSER submission. 

There were 51 such DoDSER reports for CY 2014; these reports are not factored into the 

calculations of DoDSER submission compliance as this would leave the Services without enough 

time to complete the data collection before the data analysis phase begins. When evaluating 

DoDSER submission compliance for each of the Services, this report uses each Service's number 

of confirmed suicides on January 31, 2015 (see Table 3). However, counts and rates use the most 

complete data available: 

• DoDSER compliance uses the number of confirmed suicides on January 31, 2015 (total n 

= 237). This is a subset ofDoDSER CY 2014 data. 

• Demographic and statistical analyses use all DoDSER reports submitted for CY 2014 

(total n = 281). This is the full set ofDoDSER CY 2014 data, and a subset of the AFMES 

CY 2014 data. 

• Counts and rates use all suicides confirmed or pending as of March 31, 2015 (total n = 

438.) This is all CY 2014 data available from AFMES on March 31, 2015 when data were 

pulled for this report. 

In cases involving non-fatal events, the reporting window is more constrained. In cases of an 

attempted suicide that results in either hospitalization or evacuation from a theater of operations, 

the requirement is that a suicide attempt DoDSER report form is completed within 30 days of the 

hospitalization or evacuation. 

Over the course of CY 2014, DoDSER reports were submitted by a range of professionals, 

including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nursing staff, case managers and 

command-appointed representatives. 

Following a suicide or non-fatal suicide attempt, DoDSER users review medical and behavioral 

health records, personnel records, investigative agency records and records related to the 

individual's manner of death. Information can also be collected through interviews with the 

individual's command, investigative agency officer(s) and/or other professionals. For some 

Services, family members may also be interviewed if they are willing to participate, and if the 

interview process would not cause additional distress. 

In cases where the suicidal behavior does not result in death, the individual who is the subject of 

the report is often interviewed directly. 

4 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

In addition to the aforementioned items collected directly in the DoDSER report form, data are 

collected from additional enterprise sources in an effort to improve overall data completeness 

and accuracy. For the current report, the AFMES provided data on death-related toxicology and 

official manner of death determinations for suicides that occurred among Service members in CY 

2014. The DMDC queried data from the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to 

provide demographic information for all events submitted to the DoDSER system, and also 

provided data from the Contingency Tracking System (CTS), the repository of official 

deployment-related information. To address the relationship between suicide and sexual assault, 

DoDSER cases were matched against unrestricted sexual assault reporting data by SAPRO 

analysts. In the case of missing or unavailable data in the various enterprise data sources for an 

individual, data from the DoDSER report were used to generate the final variable set used in this 

analysis. 

5 
CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

Data Quality 

Addressing the challenging issue of suicide in a meaningful way demands that the data entered 

into the DoDSER system are as accurate and complete as possible. The DoDSER system enlists 

several types of data-quality controls designed to improve the overall quality of DoDSER data, 

which include: 

• Controls on system login and data submission that require a DoDSER account associated 

with the DoDSER user's common access card (CAC) credentials. Basic users can only 

access the active reports that are assigned to them. This assures that the system is private 

and improves the user's confidence that they are entering information for the correct 

individual. 

• The structure of the data-submission website is designed to minimize the possibility of 

data-entry errors. 

• The use of form-field validation, which prompted users to clarify responses that are not 

logically possible (e.g., date of birth must be at least 18 years in the past). 

• Corroboration of suicide-event reports against data from the AFMES to ensure that a 

suicide event is valid and present in both independent systems. If a case is present in the 

DoDSER system without a corresponding AFMES report match, it is not included in the 

analytics of the report. 

• All DoDSER reports are reviewed to ensure that multiple reports are not submitted for 

the same event. Potential duplicates are automatically flagged so that the Service's 

DoDSER Program Manager can determine which submission represents the most 

accurate and complete data record. 

• Open-ended fields and the selection of the "Other" response option are reviewed to 

identify text responses that should have been coded using the existing-item coding 

structure or to generate new response categories based on multiple responses with similar 

text. 

• Data from the AFMES and the DMDC are used to improve the accuracy of data for 

several fields. The AFMES's data inform manner of death and toxicology results for 

suicide reports, and the DMDC data provide information on deployment history and 

demographic characteristics. Data provided by these external sources have been awarded 

primacy in developing the analytic variables. 

6 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

• The qualitative descriptions of all suicide attempt DoDSER reports are reviewed and 

coded independently by two of the authors (LP and DS) for evidence in the description 

that an event does not meet the reporting criteria for a suicide attempt (i.e., that 

hospitalization or evacuation from a theater of operations did not occur, or that 

intervention occurred during a period of suicidal ideation only, which never escalated to 

preparatory behavior or physical injury). An example of this would be if prior to any 

potentially injurious behavior, an individual disclosed their suicidal ideation to a superior 

who then had the Service member escorted to the hospital, where he or she was admitted 

to ensure safety. When an uncertain case is identified, the Service's DoDSER Program 

Manager is alerted and asked to make a decision about the inclusion of these specific 

cases. 

7 
CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

Rate Data 

Case Identification and Demographics 

For this CY 2014 report, the AFMES compiled official case lists of suicides that occurred among 

both Active Component Service members and Service members in the Reserves and National 

Guard who died while in a duty status from 2012 to 2014. Duty status determination (i.e., 

whether a Service member was in or out of a duty status at the time of the event) relied on 

information entered into the Defense Casualty Information Processing System (DCIPS) as well 

as consultation with the Service SPPM. Cadets and midshipmen at the designated military 

academies (West Point in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and the 

U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO) were considered to be in a duty status. 

For members of the SELRES population, instances of suicide that occurred during periods of 

time when the Service member was not in a duty status were compiled by the AFMES from the 

Service-specific SPPM reports for the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. The SELRES 

suicide case numbers presented in this report were current as of May 15, 2015. 

Rate Calculation 

The process for determining the rates of various suicide-related characteristics was developed 

through a collaborative process facilitated by the DSPO and included participation from the 

Services as well as staff from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Decisions were made via 

consensus from all included parties. 

Crude and stratified rates were calculated separately for: 

• The Active Component (in aggregate and individually for each Service) 

• The Reserve Component (irrespective of duty status; in aggregate and individually for 

each Service) 

• The National Guard (irrespective of duty status; in aggregate and individually for Air 

Force and Army) 

Stratified rates were calculated for sex, race, ethnicity, education, marital status, age and 

rank/grade within the aforementioned components. The AFMES collaborated with the DMDC to 

identify the number of Service members in each combination of Service, component and 

demographic characteristic at the end of each month (end strength) for CY 2014. These monthly 

totals were averaged to derive a total denominator for CY 2014. These calculations are described 

in the Formula section of this chapter. 

8 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

The numerator for each rate was the number of suicide deaths that occurred during CY 2014 in 

the respective component, Service and demographic category configuration. 

All rates associated with fewer than 20 suicide cases were intentionally suppressed due to the 

statistical instability that occurs in rates calculated from small numerators. 

Formula 

The mathematical formula used to calculate unadjusted suicide rates for the Active Component 

and the Reserves and National Guard made use of the total number of suicides and the sum of the 

averages for the 12 monthly end strengths for each population. The number of suicides during 

CY 2014 was divided by average population size for CY 2014 and the resulting quotient was 

then multiplied by 100,000 to yield a rate estimate. 

Rate -----X 100,000 1 12 

Where s_gis the number of suicides in a particular population group and ES_mgis the end strength 

of a particular month for the same population group. 

The populations (g) used in each rate calculation were: 

• Active Component suicide rate 

o All services 

o Air Force 

o Army 

o Marine Corps 

o Navy 

• Reserve Component 

o Air Force Reserve 

o Army Reserve 

o Marine Corps Reserve 

o Navy Reserve 

• National Guard 

o Air National Guard 

o Army National Guard 

9 
XXXXXXX

CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

Rate Standardization 

The Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)2 was used to identify 

the rates of suicide for CY 2012 and CY 2013 in the United States population. The fatal injury 

reports were current only through CY 2013, therefore data for CY 2014 were not able to be 

extracted. The WISQARS system is maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), and provides aggregate data on fatal and nonfatal injuries and deaths. Rates 

of suicide were jointly stratified by age group (17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 

50-54, 55-59) and sex (male, female) for each calendar year. 

Indirect standardization was used to calculate the number of expected cases in each age- and 

sex-specific stratum of the component and Service subpopulations. Indirect as opposed to direct 

standardization was used because of the small rates observed for several combinations of age and 

sex within the DoD population subgroups. This technique calculates the number of expected 

suicides given the overall U.S. population age- and sex-specific stratum rates. Division of the 

observed number of suicides by the total number of expected suicides yields the standardized 

mortality ratio (SMR). The mathematical formula for the SMR is3

: 

In this formula, p_iais the stratum-specific rate for the study population (i.e., the specific 

component or Service under consideration) and n)ia is the number of Service members in that 

stratum. The product of these values gives the observed number of suicides for each stratum. The 

sum of the observed numbers across the strata yields the numerator for the formula. In the 

denominator,Pis is the stratum-specific rate from the standard population (i.e., the 2012 or 2013 

overall U.S. population). The product of this rate with the number of Service members in the 

stratum yields the number of expected suicides for that stratum. The sum across strata is the total 

number of expected suicides. Multiplication of the SMR by the crude rate of the standard 

population produces the adjusted rate for the population of interest. 

Table 5 illustrates the indirect method of rate adjustment. The data used are for the Active 

Component suicide rate using data from all Services combined for CY 2012. 

10 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

Table 5 Demonstration of the Calculation of the Age- and Sex-Adjusted Suicide Rate Using the Indirect 

Method for the Active Component, All Services, CY 2012 

CY 2012 Service-aggregated 

denominator (n_ia) 

CY 2012 US 

population rate (p_is) 

Expected deaths 

Stratum (n_iap_is) 

Male, 17-19 67726 .000153 10.362 

Male, 20-24 375972 .000221 83.090 

Male, 25-29 296051 .000240 71.052 

Male, 30-34 188920 .000228 43.074 

Male, 35-39 137064 .000248 33.992 

Male, 40-44 87498 .000266 23.274 

Male, 45-49 33105 .000288 9.534 

Male, 50-54 8912 .000315 2.807 

Male, 55-59 2082 .000309 0.643 

Female, 17-19 13382 .000039 0.522 

Female, 20-24 67558 .000049 3.310 

Female, 25-29 52184 .000056 2.922 

Female, 30-34 32318 .000062 2.004 

Female, 35-39 20794 .000072 1.497 

Female, 40-44 12161 .000082 0.997 

Female, 45-49 4869 .000100 0.487 

Female, 50-54 1603 .000104 0.167 

Female, 55-59 513 .000091 0.047 

The sum of the expected deaths column (the denominator of the SMR formula) is 289.782. The 

numerator of the SMR formula yields the same value as the total number of observed suicides for 

the time period, 321. Division of 321 by 289.782 yields the SMR of 1.11. Multiplication of the 

SMR by the unadjusted rate for the standard population (.000165) gives the adjusted rate of 

.000183 (18.3 per 100,000). 

The resulting SMR has a possible range of Oto inf. Values ranging from Oto less than 1 indicate a 

lower rate than expected, and values ranging from 1 to inf indicate a rate that is greater than 

expected. An SMR of 1 means that the observed number of suicides exactly matches the 

expected number of suicides, given the standard population stratum-specific rates. The 95% 

confidence intervals (CI) associated with the SMRs were calculated using the Poisson 

distribution. These intervals provide information about the precision of the SMR and are used for 

statistical inference. Inclusion of 1 in the range of the 95% CI indicates that the ratio is not 

statistically distinguishable from unity. In other words, while the SMR may not be 1, its variance 

is such that 1 is still a plausible value given the data. As such, the conclusion that the rate in the 

population of interest is statistically different from the standard population cannot be made. If the 

95% CI excludes 1, this indicates that the difference in rates exceeds statistical variability and it 

can be concluded that the rate is likely different from that of the standard population and 

warrants further investigation. 

11 
CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

Since indirect standardization was used, the comparisons were limited to just the populations of 

interest and the comparison against the overall U.S. population. Within a particular year, it is not 

possible to directly compare the SMRs or associated adjusted rates between components or 

Services because the age and sex distributions may still differ between the subpopulations. This 

is not taken into account in the indirect approach to rate standardization. 

Internal Comparisons of Rates Between Component and Services and 

Between Years 

While the rate standardization described earlier allowed for comparisons of the various 

components and Services to the overall U.S. population, it did not allow direct comparisons 

between the components and Services in a given year or within a component or Service between 

years. To accomplish this, a second set of analyses was conducted that used a Poisson regression 

model4 to compare the rates of suicide between years or between components and Services 

within a single year while accounting for different age and sex distributions. For this model, the 

aggregated number of suicides was used for each year, age stratum, sex, Service and component, 

and their associated denominators from DMDC as the input data. The regression model 

compares the natural logarithmic transformation of the number of cases for each population of 

interest to a referent group. An offset term was included in the model that represented the natural 

logarithmic transformation of the number of Service members in each combination of age and 

sex for each of the subpopulations included in the model. The resulting statistic from these 

models was the incidence rate ratio (IRR), which provides a comparison of the rate of one group 

compared to another. The range of values, the 95% CI and the interpretation are comparable to 

the SMR described earlier. 

12 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

Statistical Analysis of Determinants 

In the current presentation of the DoDSER data, statistical comparisons of a defined set of 

determinants have been included to facilitate the comparison between suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports and between CY 2013 and CY 2014 for each outcome type. Logistic regression 

models were used to compare suicides to suicide attempts for CY 2014 and to compare CY 2013 

to CY 2014 separately for suicides and suicide attempts. The specific determinants of the models 

have included the use of a firearm as the method of injury, alcohol use during the event, drug use 

during the event, any behavioral health history, a history of prior self-injury, a history of 

substance abuse, relationship problems in the 90 days prior to the event, legal/administrative 

problems in the 90 days prior to the event, work/financial difficulties in the 90 days prior to the 

event, deployment history and exposure to direct combat. These variables were selected given 

their prominence in the suicide research literature as major determinants of suicide and suicide 

attempts. 

Each model has been adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, rank/grade, sex, marital status and Service 

branch ( except for when the models were Service-specific). A full-information maximum 

likelihood estimate was used to account for missing data on the determinants and demographic 

variables included in the models5

. Given that there are a small number of individuals with more 

than one DoDSER report in the system (both a suicide attempt and a suicide, or multiple suicide 

attempts), the last report has been retained for analysis to address an assumption of independent 

observations in the regression model. 

The statistics reported from these models are odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% Cis. The 

logistic regression model estimates a linear combination of the demographic variables and key 

exposure of interest (suicide vs. suicide attempt or CY 2014 vs. CY 2013) to approximate the 

odds of the prevalence of a specific outcome. The odds are defined as: 

Odds= 

In that formula, p_a is the probability of the outcome variable being present. The interpretation of 

the odds ratio is similar to the SMR described earlier. Values greater than 1 indicate a greater 

prevalence of the variable of interest; those less than 1 indicate a lower prevalence of the variable 

of interest. 

13 
CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY DoDSER CY 2014 

Interpretive Considerations 

The intent of this report and the DoDSER system, as a whole, is the collection, organization and 

presentation of data relevant to risk and protective factors that relate to the occurrence of suicide, 

and suicide-related behavior, in the military community. The data from the DoDSER system 

support hypothesis-driven research and program development, such as suicide-prevention 

programs. In this year's DoDSERAnnual Report, a statistical analysis of the suicide rates and 

changes over time and between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports on a selected set of 

determinants has been included. These analyses are intended to facilitate an understanding of the 

data and do not reflect a causal inference. 

Often, questions are asked about the relative contributions of specific variables as risk and 

protective factors. However, it is not possible to determine, statistically, whether any particular 

variable is a risk or protective factor for suicide by relying solely on the data presented in this 

report. Data on the distribution of any particular variable in the broader population would be 

needed before any statistical inferences about the relationship between that factor and the 

occurrence of suicide could be made using the descriptive data provided in this report. 

Many DoDSER items contain a response option that allows the user to select "data unavailable" 

to indicate that not enough information could be gathered to provide either an affirmative or 

negative response. While the latest version of the DoDSER report form has been modified to 

minimize the need to use this particular response option, it is inevitable that some information for 

some individuals will be unknown or unavailable. Because of this, the impact of missing 

information on interpretive considerations that the reader makes regarding the findings of this 

report should be weighed against what information was not available. For example, percentages 

for many DoDSER items were calculated using the total number of reports for a given outcome 

as the denominator. If one group had a higher "data unavailable" response proportion than 

comparison groups, comparisons that include proportions of "yes" responses could lead to 

misinterpretation. It should be noted that missing data were accounted for in statistical 

comparisons using full information maximum likelihood. 

Finally, the content area of any given DoDSER item should be taken into account when results 

are interpreted. While this report reflects the best data available, some DoDSER items are 

objective (e.g., the location of a Service member's current permanent duty station), whereas 

others are highly subjective (e.g., whether or not the Service member had experienced recent 

problems with a supervisor or coworker). Standardized coding guidance was available to all 

designated DoDSER respondents, along with technical definitions of terms and item-by-item 

Help text, designed to aid in accurate reporting. However, subjective data elements can be easily 

misinterpreted. 

14 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTERl:METHODOLOGY 

Figures and Tables 

In this report, graphical displays of data are included to present the prevalence of specific 

variables not only in CY 2014, but using the DoDSER findings from CY 2012 and CY 2013 as 

well. The observed prevalence estimates for each year (percent) represent the proportion of "yes" 

responses to a particular item relative to the total number of events with a DoDSER report for 

that year. 

References 

1. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Memorandum. (2014). 

Standardized DoD Suicide Data and Reporting. Washington, DC: Government Printing 

Office. 

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and 

Control. (2005). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). 

Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars 

3. Kahn, H. A, & Sempos, C. T. (1989). Statistical methods in epidemiology. New York: 

Oxford University Press. 

4. Hilbe, J.M. (2011). Negative binomial regression (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge 

University Press. 

5. Enders, C. K. (2010). Applied missing data analysis. New York: Guilford Press. 

15 
DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTER2 

SUICIDE RA TES 

16 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Suicide Rates 

In this section, aggregate and individual suicide rates are presented for the four Services. Rates 

are provided separately for the Active Component and the Reserves and National Guard. Table 6 

provides an overview of the unadjusted and age- and sex-adjusted rates for each Service and 

Component. Tables 7 to 13 provide rates stratified by demographic and Service characteristics 

for the Service-aggregated Active Component, the Service-aggregated Reserve and National 

Guard, and the Service-specific Active Components. 

The AFMES identified 269 suicides among Active Component Service members in CY 2014, 

yielding an overall suicide rate of 19.9 per 100,000 Service members (Table 6). The Serviceaggregated suicide rate for the Reserve Component of the SELRES was 21. 9 per 100,000 Service 

members. The suicide rate for the combined Air National Guard and Army National Guard was 

19.4 per 100,000 Service members. 

Although the most recent data available for the U.S. population was 2013, a comparison of these 

military rates to the U.S. population data was conducted because the overall U.S. population is 

very large and the suicide rates are very stable. These analyses provide early estimates that can 

be confirmed in the future as 2014 U.S. data become available. The CY 2015 DoDSERAnnual 

Report will update those data. Based on the SMRs and associated 95% CI, the rates of suicide in 

CY 2014 for each of the military populations described earlier was consistent with what would 

be expected given the age- and sex-specific suicide rates of the 2013 U.S. population. The rates 

of suicide in the Active Component of each of the Services were also closely aligned with the 

expected values given the 2013 U.S. population data. Suicide rates for the Army Reserve and 

Army National Guard were only able to be calculated because of the lower rates of suicide in the 

other Services. The rates of suicides for both of these components were consistent with the 2013 

U.S. population data. 

Compared to CY 2013, the CY 2014 suicide rates for each component and the Active 

Components of the four Services were largely similar. Two notable exceptions were reductions in 

rate for the National Guard, Air Force and Army combined, with an IRR of 0.71 (95% CI= 0.54, 

0.93), and the Army National Guard, with an IRR of 0.64 (95% CI= 0.48, 0.86). These ratios 

were adjusted for age and sex distributions. There were no statistically significant differences in 

the rates of suicide between the three components in CY 2014. Specific to the Active 

Component, the rate of suicide for the Navy was lower than the rate for the Army (IRR= 0.69, 

95% CI= 0.50, 0.96) after adjustment for age and sex. There were no other statistically 

significant differences in the suicide rates between the Active Components of the Services. 

17 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 7 presents the rate of suicide for the Active Component of all Services combined, stratified 

across several demographic and military characteristics. The stratum-specific rates present 

similar patterns to those observed in previous years. Differences in the crude rates were most 

apparent for rank/grade, education and marital status. Enlisted Service members, those with 

lower education and those whose marital status was divorced had the highest stratum-specific, 

unadjusted suicide rates. The remaining tables (8 to 13) present a similar breakdown of suicide 

rates for the Reserves and National Guard, aggregated across the Services, and the Active 

Components of each Service. Similar to Table 7, the stratum-specific, unadjusted suicide rates 

are largely consistent over time, where available. 

18 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 6 Rates of Suicide (Unadjusted and Age- and Sex-Adjusted), SMR, and 95% Cl for the Active Component and 

the Reserves and National Guard Components, Overall and by Service, CY 2012-CY 2014 

2014 2013 2012 

Component 

and Service Rate 1 Rate 2 SMR2 95%CI Rate 1 Rate 2 SMR2 95%CI Rate 1 Rate 3 SMR3 95%CI 

Active, all 

Services 19.9 16.4 0.98 0.87, 1.10 18.4 15.1 0.90 0.79, 1.02 22.9 18.3 1.11 0.99, 1.24 

Air Force 18.5 15.6 0.93 0.71, 1.20 14.4 12.2 0.73 0.54, 0.96 15.0 12.4 0.75 0.56, 0.99 

Army 23.8 19.3 1.15 0.95, 1.37 22.5 18.2 1.08 0.90, 1.29 29.9 23.5 1.42 1.21, 1.66 

Marine 

Corps 17.9 14.5 0.87 0.60, 1.21 23.1 18.7 1.12 0.81, 1.49 24.3 19.1 1.16 0.85, 1.53 

Navy 16.3 13.7 0.82 0.61, 1.07 12.7 10.7 0.64 0.46, 0.86 18.1 14.7 0.89 0.68, 1.15 

Reserve4 

, all 

Services 21.9 18.1 1.08 0.86, 1.34 23.1 19.0 1.14 0.91, 1.40 19.3 15.5 0.94 0.74, 1.18 

Air Force 

Army 21.4 18.0 1.07 0.77, 1.45 29.6 24.8 1.48 1.13, 1.91 24.7 20.3 1.23 0.91, 1.62 

Marine 

Corps 

Navy 

National 

Guard4 

, Air 

Force and 19.4 15.7 0.94 0.75, 1.15 28.9 23.2 1.38 1.16, 1.64 28.1 21.9 1.33 1.11, 1.58 

Army 

Air Force - 19.1 14.6 0.88 0.54, 1.36 

Army 21.5 17.5 1.04 0.82, 1.31 33.7 27.3 1.63 1.35, 1.94 30.8 24.1 1.46 1.20, 1.76 1

Unadjusted rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for subgroups with fewer than 20 suicides are not reported 

because of statistical instability. 2

Rate per 100,000 Service members after adjustment to the age- and gender- specific rates of suicide for the 2013 

United States population per WISQARS. See Chapter 1 for more detail. SMR calculated using population rate of 

16.77 per 100,000 U.S. population. 3

Rate per 100,000 Service members after adjustment to the age- and gender- specific rates of suicide for the 2012 

United States population per WISQARS. See Chapter 1 for more detail. SMR calculated using population rate of 

16.50 per 100,000 U.S. population. 4

Rates for the Reserve and National Guard Components of the Selected Reserve include all Service members 

irrespective of duty status. 

19 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 7 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Active 

Component, Overall and by Demographic Category, 

All Services, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 269 19.9 254 18.4 321 22.9 

Sex 

Male 252 22.0 239 20.3 297 24.8 

Female 17 15 24 11.7 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 3 7 4 

Asian/Pacific Islander 7 8 14 

Black/ African American 42 18.2 33 14.2 44 18.7 

White/Caucasian 193 20.8 190 19.9 245 25.2 

Other/Unknown 24 22.3 16 14 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 32 20.1 21 13.3 27 17.2 

Non-Hispanic 235 20.3 230 19.4 288 23.9 

Unknown 2 3 6 

Age 

17-19 7 14 10 

20-24 93 21.7 91 20.9 120 27.1 

25-29 72 22.4 73 21.8 90 25.8 

30-34 51 23.3 31 14.0 49 22.1 

35-39 29 19.2 26 16.8 32 20.3 

40-44 14 11 11 

45-49 1 8 7 

50-54 2 0 2 

55-59 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 1 2 

Unknown enlisted 0 0 0 

El-E4 119 20.7 123 20.7 162 26.6 

E5-E9 118 22.4 107 19.9 126 23.2 

Officer 29 13.4 23 10.5 25 11.5 

Warrant officer 3 0 6 

Table continued on next page. 

20 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 7 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, All Services, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 1 1 3 

Alternative high school certification 19 15 27 50.0 

High school graduate 174 21.0 169 19.7 215 24.3 

Some college, no degree 20 32.6 18 16 

Associate's degree or technical certification 18 15 18 

Four-year college degree 27 16.2 23 13.9 23 14.2 

Master's degree or greater 6 6 9 

Unknown 

Marital status 

4 7 10 

Never married 104 18.9 106 18.9 134 24.1 

Married 141 19.0 124 16.3 173 22.1 

Legally separated 0 2 0 

Divorced 23 41.2 22 36.7 14 

Widowed 1 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 

21 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 8 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Reserve Component of the Selected Reserve, 

Overall and by Demographic Category, All Services, 

CY2012-CY2014 

2 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 80 21.9 86 23.1 73 19.3 

Sex 

Male 73 25.4 79 26.9 66 22.1 

Female 7 7 7 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 2 1 0 

Asian/Pacific Islander 4 6 3 

Black/ African American 9 8 6 

White/Caucasian 60 24.0 69 26.9 59 22.5 

Other/Unknown 5 2 5 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 9 5 10 

Non-Hispanic 68 22.0 80 25.3 63 19.6 

Unknown 3 1 0 

Age 

17-19 4 6 4 

20-24 29 36.8 22 26.7 27 31.9 

25-29 14 19 16 

30-34 10 14 9 

35-39 9 8 4 

40-44 3 8 5 

45-49 8 6 3 

50-54 1 2 4 

55-59 2 1 1 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 0 0 

Unknown enlisted 0 0 0 

El-E4 47 30.3 46 29.0 42 26.5 

E5-E9 24 16.8 26 17.7 21 13.8 

Officer 9 13 10 

Warrant officer 0 1 0 

Table continued on next page. 

22 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 8 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Reserve Component of the Selected Reserve, 

Overall and by Demographic Category, All Services, 

CY2012-CY2014 

2 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 1 4 3 

Alternative high school certification 6 5 5 

High school graduate 55 26.5 46 21.4 44 20.1 

Some college, no degree 2 5 5 

Associate's degree or technical certification 4 5 1 

Four-year college degree 8 17 12 

Master's degree or greater 4 4 3 

Unknown 

Marital status 

0 0 0 

Never married 46 27.9 38 22.7 41 24.5 

Married 28 16.3 38 21.7 25 13.9 

Legally separated 0 0 0 

Divorced 6 10 7 

Widowed 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 2

Suicides for the Reserve Component of the Selected Reserve are included irrespective of duty status at the time of 

death. 

23 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 9 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

National Guard Component of the Selected 

Reserve, Overall and by Demographic Category, Air 

Force and Army, CY2012-CY2014 

2 

3 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 89 19.4 133 28.9 130 28.1 

Sex 

Male 85 22.2 127 32.9 123 31.6 

Female 4 6 7 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 2 1 1 

Asian/Pacific Islander 4 3 3 

Black/ African American 11 17 9 

White/Caucasian 72 19.8 102 29.5 113 30.3 

Other/unknown 0 10 4 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 5 2 4 

Non-Hispanic 84 20.0 126 29.8 125 29.4 

Unknown 0 5 1 

Age 

17-19 7 6 8 

20-24 35 31.3 43 37.8 37 32.1 

25-29 19 31 34.3 24 26.5 

30-34 12 18 19 

35-39 8 9 9 

40-44 3 14 19 

45-49 2 2 8 

50-54 2 5 4 

55-59 1 0 1 

Unknown 0 5 1 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 0 0 

Unknown enlisted 0 5 1 

El-E4 50 24.6 65 31.9 67 32.9 

E5-E9 33 16.8 61 30.8 55 27.5 

Officer 6 2 7 

Warrant officer 0 0 0 

Table continued on next page. 

24 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 9 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

National Guard Component of the Selected 

Reserve, Overall and by Demographic Category, Air 

Force and Army, CY2012-CY2014 

2 

3 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 4 3 4 

Alternative high school certification 5 20 65.3 14 

High school graduate 46 24.8 72 38.5 57 30.1 

Some college, no degree 15 15 27 24.4 

Associate's degree or technical certification 3 4 5 

Four-year college degree 7 7 13 

Master's degree or greater 2 1 3 

Unknown 

Marital status 

7 11 7 

Never married 57 25.0 66 29.8 63 29.3 

Married 26 12.9 52 25.0 55 25.6 

Legally separated 0 0 0 

Divorced 6 10 11 

Widowed 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 5 1 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 2

Suicides for the National Guard Component of the Selected Reserve are included irrespective of duty status at the 

time of death. 

25 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 10 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Air Force, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 60 18.5 48 14.4 50 15.0 

Sex 

Male 52 19.8 44 16.3 45 16.7 

Female 8 4 5 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 0 2 1 

Asian/Pacific Islander 0 0 3 

Black/ African American 9 9 1 

White/Caucasian 44 18.8 34 14.1 43 17.8 

Other/Unknown 7 3 2 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 4 2 0 

Non-Hispanic 56 18.6 46 14.8 48 15.4 

Unknown 0 0 2 

Age 

17-19 3 0 2 

20-24 27 30.1 18 24 25.3 

25-29 11 17 11 

30-34 11 5 6 

35-39 7 5 5 

40-44 1 3 2 

45-49 0 0 0 

50-54 0 0 0 

55-59 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 1 2 

Unknown enlisted 0 0 0 

El-E4 29 24.7 22 18.3 26 21.7 

E5-E9 27 19.4 22 15.3 20 13.8 

Officer 4 3 2 

Warrant officer 0 0 0 

Table continued on next page. 

26 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 10 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in 

the Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Air Force, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 0 0 0 

Alternative high school certification 0 0 0 

High school graduate 49 28.1 40 21.7 35 18.5 

Some college, no degree 0 0 0 

Associate's degree or technical certification 6 5 8 

Four-year college degree 4 2 3 

Master's degree or greater 1 1 2 

Unknown 

Marital status 

0 0 2 

Never married 26 22.4 21 17.7 29 24.5 

Married 28 15.0 19 16 

Legally separated 0 0 0 

Divorced 5 8 5 

Widowed 1 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 

27 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 11 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Army, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 122 23.8 120 22.5 165 29.9 

Sex 

Male 116 26.3 116 25.1 153 32.0 

Female 6 4 12 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 1 3 2 

Asian/Pacific Islander 4 5 8 

Black/ African American 27 24.6 16 31 27.4 

White/Caucasian 84 24.2 94 25.6 122 31.9 

Other/Unknown 6 2 2 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 16 11 10 

Non-Hispanic 106 24.0 109 23.6 154 32.1 

Unknown 0 0 1 

Age 

17-19 2 5 5 

20-24 35 23.5 43 27.8 49 30.4 

25-29 36 30.2 36 28.0 52 37.5 

30-34 22 25.2 15 27 29.2 

35-39 13 13 21 32.3 

40-44 11 3 5 

45-49 1 5 5 

50-54 2 0 1 

55-59 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 0 0 

Unknown enlisted 0 0 0 

El-E4 53 24.2 65 28.0 81 32.9 

E5-E9 55 28.6 43 21.6 65 31.9 

Officer 12 12 13 

Warrant officer 2 0 6 

Table continued on next page. 

28 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 11 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in 

the Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Army, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 1 1 1 

Alternative high school certification 13 12 23 57.0 

High school graduate 66 23.4 68 22.8 101 31.8 

Some college, no degree 18 14 14 

Associate's degree or technical certification 7 5 6 

Four-year college degree 12 16 13 

Master's degree or greater 4 2 6 

Unknown 

Marital status 

1 2 1 

Never married 34 18.7 43 22.7 49 25.5 

Married 71 23.5 65 20.7 107 32.7 

Legally separated 0 2 0 

Divorced 17 10 9 

Widowed 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 

29 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 12 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Marine Corps, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 34 17.9 45 23.1 48 24.3 

Sex 

Male 32 18.3 42 23.3 45 24.5 

Female 2 3 3 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 0 0 1 

Asian/Pacific Islander 0 1 1 

Black/ African American 1 3 8 

White/Caucasian 28 18.6 35 22.7 35 22.4 

Other/Unknown 5 6 3 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 2 5 5 

Non-Hispanic 32 20.3 40 24.4 43 25.5 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Age 

17-19 2 7 3 

20-24 13 19 27 31.1 

25-29 11 10 12 

30-34 8 5 4 

35-39 0 1 1 

40-44 0 2 1 

45-49 0 1 0 

50-54 0 0 0 

55-59 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 0 0 

Unknown enlisted 0 0 0 

El-E4 17 27 23.4 36 31.4 

E5-E9 13 15 12 

Officer 4 3 0 

Warrant officer 0 0 0 

Table continued on next page. 

30 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 12 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in 

the Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Marine Corps, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 0 0 2 

Alternative high school certification 1 2 1 

High school graduate 25 16.1 35 21.9 40 24.7 

Some college, no degree 2 2 1 

Associate's degree or technical certification 2 0 1 

Four-year college degree 4 4 0 

Master's degree or greater 0 2 0 

Unknown 

Marital status 

0 0 3 

Never married 14 19 25 26.7 

Married 19 22 24.1 23 24.0 

Legally separated 0 0 0 

Divorced 1 4 0 

Widowed 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 

31 
CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 13 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the 

Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Navy, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Total 53 16.3 41 12.7 58 18.1 

Sex 

Male 52 19.5 37 13.9 54 20.3 

Female 1 4 4 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 2 2 0 

Asian/Pacific Islander 3 2 2 

Black/ African American 5 5 4 

White/Caucasian 37 18.9 27 14.0 45 23.3 

Other/Unknown 6 5 7 

Ethnicity 

Hispanic 10 3 12 

Non-Hispanic 41 16.1 35 14.0 43 17.6 

Unknown 2 3 3 

Age 

17-19 0 2 0 

20-24 18 11 20 19.8 

25-29 14 10 15 

30-34 10 6 12 

35-39 9 7 5 

40-44 2 3 3 

45-49 0 2 2 

50-54 0 0 1 

55-59 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet/midshipman 0 0 0 

Unknown enlisted 0 0 0 

El-E4 20 15.6 9 19 

E5-E9 23 16.6 27 19.9 29 21.7 

Officer 9 5 10 

Warrant officer 1 0 0 

Table continued on next page. 

32 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 2: SUICIDE RATES 

Table 13 (cont.) Frequency and Rate of Suicide in 

the Active Component, Overall and by Demographic 

Category, Navy, CY2012-CY2014 

1 

2014 2013 2012 

Count Rate Count Rate Count Rate 

Education 

Some high school 0 0 0 

Alternative high school certification 5 1 3 

High school graduate 34 15.7 26 12.1 39 18.0 

Some college, no degree 0 2 1 

Associate's degree or technical certification 3 5 3 

Four-year college degree 7 1 7 

Master's degree or greater 1 1 1 

Unknown 

Marital status 

3 5 4 

Never married 30 19.0 23 14.8 31 20.5 

Married 23 13.9 18 27 16.1 

Legally separated 0 0 0 

Divorced 0 0 0 

Widowed 0 0 0 

Unknown 0 0 0 1 Rate per 100,000 Service members. Rates for strata with fewer than 20 suicides were not reported because of 

statistical instability. 

33 
DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTER3 

JOINT DATA 

ACROSS THE SERVICES 

34 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

DoDSER Results Summary: All Services 

The DoDSER system collects standardized data on demographic, contextual, behavioral health, 

historical and risk-related factors for all identified suicides and suicide attempts that occur 

among both Active Component Service members and Service members in the Reserves and 

National Guard who were in a duty status at the time of the event. 

Mortality and Suicide attempt Incidence 

As of March 31, 2015, the AFMES identified 269 confirmed or pending suicides among Active 

Component Service members and 21 among Service members in the Reserve and National 

Guard Components of the SELRES who were in a duty status at the time of death. A DoDSER 

report was submitted for 281 of these deaths. These DoDSER reports were used in the generation 

of the data tables included in this section. 

There were 1,126 suicide attempt DoDSER reports submitted by the Services. These reports 

provided data on 1,096 unique Service members-1,067 (97.4%) with one reported attempt and 

29 (2.6%) with two or more reported attempts. Five suicide DoDSER reports were associated 

with one or more suicide attempt DoDSER reports in CY 2013 or CY 2014. The median number 

of days between the most recent suicide attempt and the reported suicide was 108. 

Demographics 

Demographic variables for all suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports are displayed in 

Table 14. 

Across the Services, the most common demographic features for suicides included these 

characteristics: 

• Male (n = 264, 94.0%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 202, 71.9%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 246, 87.5%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 175, 62.3%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 202, 71.9%) 

• Enlisted (n = 248, 88.3%) 

• Married (n = 146, 52.0%) 

35 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Across the services, the most common demographic features for suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports included: 

• Male (n = 824, 73.2%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 788, 70.0%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 990, 87.9%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 881, 78.2%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 921, 81.8%) 

• Junior enlisted (El-E4, n = 777, 69.0%) 

• Approximately evenly distributed between never married (n = 518, 46.0%) and married 

(n = 526, 46.7%) 

The largest demographic differences between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

in the prevalence of females (26.8% for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 6.0% for suicide 

DoDSER reports) and rank status (69.0% El-E4 for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 

42.7% for suicide DoDSER reports). 

Event Information 

Detailed descriptive statistics on the locations, contexts and methods of suicide and suicide 

attempts are presented in this section and in Table 15 . These data describe the circumstances 

surrounding the suicide event 

itself and address both the 

antecedents and consequences 

of the event. 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

0 

0 

0 

0 C 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

Drug/Alcohol Firearm Hanging 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

I I I 0 

- - - 0 •• I I 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Figure 1 depicts the 

proportion ofDoDSER 

reports-including both 

suicide-related deaths and 

suicide attempts- that 

identified the use of a firearm, 

hanging and drug/alcohol 

overdose over the past three 

years. Suicide DoDSER 

reports described more 

frequent firearm use and 

hanging than did suicide 

Figure 1. Proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports ( all Services) 

that reported drug/alcohol use, firearm, and hanging as the method of injury, CY 

2012-2014. 

36 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

attempt reports. The majority of the firearms use reported in suicide DoDSER reports did not 

involve military weapons (n = 177, 92.2% of suicide DoDSER reports with a firearm as the 

mechanism of injury). Overall, the prevalence of the three injury mechanisms was consistent 

over time within suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports. The prevalence of firearm use in 

suicide DoDSER reports was higher for CY 2014 compared to CY 2013, but the difference was 

not statistically significant (OR= 1.43, 95% CI= 0.99, 2.08). The prevalence of drug or alcohol 

use as the primary event method reported in suicide attempt DoDSER reports was consistent 

with CY 2013 (OR= 0.96, 95% CI= 0.80, 1. 15). 

Alcohol use was identified in 28.8% of suicide DoDSER reports and in 35.2% of suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports, regardless of whether it was the primary cause, used in conjunction with 

another method ( e.g., overdose/intentional drunk driving) or facilitated the use of another means. 

Drug use during the event was not commonly identified for suicide DoDSER reports (15.7%), 

but it was reported in 51. 6% of suicide attempt DoDSER reports. The data on alcohol and drug 

use for suicides was obtained from postmortem examination toxicology reports provided by 

AFMES. The high proportion of "unknown" responses reflects inconclusive results, no 

toxicology examination or an inability to access a toxicology report from a civilian authority. 

Behavioral Health History 

Data on behavioral health variables are provided in Table 16. Figure 2 displays the proportion of 

suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports that 

indicated a history of any 

behavioral health diagnosis 

( ever), prior self-injury ( ever) 

or use of psychotropic 

medications (within 90 days 

prior to the event) for CY 

2012-CY 2014. The 

prevalence of any behavioral 

health diagnosis and the use 

of psychotropic medications 

were consistent for suicide 

DoDSERs between CY 2013 

and CY 2014. The prevalence 

of a prior history of self-harm 

was elevated for suicide 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Behavioral diagnosis Medications Prior self-injury 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

11 11 11 0 II II II

Figure 2. Proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports (all Services) 

that reported any behavioral health diagnosis ever, psychotropic medication use in 

the 90 days prior to the event, or prior self-injury ever, CY 2012-CY 2014. 

37 
l

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 0 0 0 

0 0 co co 

0 0 

0 

0.. 

0 0 Ill 111 111 

0 

0 0 Il 111 111 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Failed relationship Legal/Administrative 

CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

DoDSERs in CY 2014, but the difference in comparison to CY 2013 was not statistically 

significant (OR= 1.66, 95% CI= 0.97, 2.84). The prevalence of all three variables in suicide 

attempt DoDSERs was consistent between CY 2013 and CY 2014. For CY 2014, suicide 

DoDSER reports had a lower prevalence of all three variables compared to suicide attempt 

DoDSERs (behavioral health diagnosis [OR= 0.48, 95% CI= 0.36, 0.65]; prior history of selfharm [OR= 0.49, 95% CI= 0.34, 0.72]; use of psychotropic medications [OR= 0.48, 95% CI= 

0.34, 0.69]. The most common behavioral health diagnoses identified in suicide DoDSER reports 

included mood (n= 74, 26.3%), adjustment (n = 68, 24.2%) and substance abuse (n = 62, 22.1 %) 

disorders. For suicide attempt DoDSER reports, the most common diagnoses identified were 

mood (n = 370, 32.9%), substance abuse (n = 309, 27.4%) and adjustment disorders (n = 305, 

27.1%). 

Psychosocial Stressors 

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER reports pertained to information collected about 

relationships, family issues, legal or administrative problems, work and financial difficulties, and 

alleged abuse victimization or perpetration. Table 17 provides descriptive data for each of these 

factors. Overall, 187 suicide DoDSERs (66.5%) and 877 suicide attempt DoDSERs (77.9%) 

reported at least one of these stressors. Figure 3 displays the proportion of suicide and suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported relationship, 

administrative/legal and 

workplace/financial 

difficulties during the 90 days 

prior to the event. There were 

no statistically significant 

differences in the prevalence 

of these three types of 

stressors between CY 2013 

and CY 2014 for suicide or 

suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. In CY 2014, the 

prevalence of workplace 

difficulties was lower for 

suicide DoDSER reports as 

compared to suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (OR= 0.49, 

95% CI= 0.35, 0.69). 

Figure 3. Proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports (all Services) 

that reported failed relationships, legal/administrative problems or workplace 

difficulties in the 90 days prior to the event. 

38 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

In this report, DoDSER cases were matched against cases of sexual assault that had been 

collected through the DoD's option to make an Unrestricted Report of Sexual Assault. According 

to the SAPRO data, 0 suicide DoDSER reports and 28 suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

associated with an unrestricted report of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. Table 

17 provides the number of sexual assaults recorded via the DoDSER report form. 

Deployment 

A history of deployment was a factor in 54.4% of suicide and 39.4% of suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. The prevalence of any deployment history decreased in CY 2014 compared to CY 2013 

for both suicide DoDSER reports (OR= 0.50, 95% CI= 0.33, 0.77) and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (0.55, 95% CI= 0.44, 0.68). For CY 2014, there was no statistically significant 

difference in the prevalence of deployment history between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports (OR= 1.23, 95% CI= 0.87, 1.75). 

39 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 14 Demographic and Service Characteristics 1 of Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 281 1,126 

Sex 

Male 264 94.0 824 73.2 

Female 17 6.0 302 26.8 

Age at event 

17-19 6 2.1 82 7.3 

20-24 96 34.2 538 47.8 

25-29 73 26.0 261 23.2 

30-34 52 18.5 125 11.1 

35-39 34 12.1 69 6.1 

40-44 14 5.0 38 3.4 

45-59 6 2.1 13 1.2 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 2 0.7 20 1.8 

Asian/Pacific Islander 8 2.8 38 3.4 

Black/ African American 44 15.7 233 20.7 

White/Caucasian 202 71.9 788 70.0 

Other/Unknown 25 8.9 47 4.2 

Hispanic ethnicity 

Yes 33 11.7 134 11.9 

No 246 87.5 990 87.9 

Unknown 2 0.7 2 0.2 

Education 

Some high school, did not graduate 2 0.7 4 0.4 

Alternative high school certification 18 6.4 67 6.0 

High school graduate 202 71.9 921 81.8 

Some college or technical school, no degree or certificate 0 0.0 8 0.7 

College degree of less than four years 17 6.0 55 4.9 

Four-year college degree 30 10.7 54 4.8 

Master's degree or greater 7 2.5 17 1.5 

Unknown 5 1.8 0 0.0 

Component 

Active 261 92.9 1,080 95.9 

Reserve 11 3.9 20 1.8 

National Guard 9 3.2 26 2.3 

Table continued on next page. 

40 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

Table 14 (cont.) Demographic and Service Characteristics of 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 

2014 

1

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Marital status 

Never married 106 37.7 518 46.0 

Married 146 52.0 526 46.7 

Separated 0 0.0 5 0.4 

Divorced 28 10.0 74 6.6 

Widowed 1 0.4 2 0.2 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.1 

Rank/grade 

Cadet 0 0.0 2 0.2 

El-E4 120 42.7 777 69.0 

ES-E9 128 45.6 296 26.3 

Officer 33 11.7 51 4.5 

DoD occupational category 

Enlisted 

Infantry, gun crews, and seamanship specialists 59 21.0 185 16.4 

Electronic equipment repairers 19 6.8 83 7.4 

Communications and intelligence specialists 24 8.5 117 10.4 

Health care specialists 13 4.6 98 8.7 

Other technical and allied specialists 12 4.3 50 4.4 

Functional support and administration 24 8.5 166 14.7 

Electrical/mechanical equipment repairers 53 18.9 154 13.7 

Crafts workers 7 2.5 22 2.0 

Service and supply handlers 28 10.0 149 13.2 

Non-occupational 7 2.5 32 2.8 

Unknown 2 0.7 17 1.5 

Officer 

Tactical operations officers 12 4.3 11 1.0 

Intelligence officers 4 1.4 5 0.4 

Engineering and maintenance officers 5 1.8 6 0.5 

Scientists and professionals 4 1.4 2 0.2 

Health care officers 2 0.7 12 1.1 

Administrators 1 0.4 5 0.4 

Supply, procurement and allied officers 2 0.7 8 0.7 

Non-occupational 3 1.1 4 0.4 1 Demographic and Service characteristics provided by the DMDC. 

41 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 15 Event location, Event Method, and Event Context 

for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All 

Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Total 281 1,126 

Event location country 

United States 254 90.0 958 85.1 

Iraq 1 0.4 1 0.1 

Afghanistan 6 2.1 18 1.6 

Kuwait 0 0.0 7 0.6 

Korea 1 0.4 34 3.0 

Other Europe 1 0.4 4 0.4 

North America 2 0.7 2 0.2 

Japan 5 1.8 28 2.5 

Belgium 0 0.0 2 0.2 

Germany 5 1.8 39 3.5 

United Kingdom 0 0.0 6 0.5 

Other 6 2.1 27 2.4 

Event setting 

Own residence 143 50.9 473 

440 

42.0 

Barracks 40 14.2 39.1 

Residence of friend or family 16 5.7 47 4.2 

Work/jobsite 11 3.9 29 2.6 

Automobile 26 9.3 60 5.3 

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 5 0.4 

Hotel 8 2.8 16 1.4 

Recreational area 12 4.3 7 0.6 

Other 21 7.5 47 4.2 

Unknown 4 1.4 2 0.2 

Event method1 

Drugs/alcohol 5 1.8 633 56.2 

Hanging/asphyxiation 70 24.9 130 11.5 

Poisoning 3 1.1 34 3.0 

Firearm 192 68.3 82 7.3 

Military firearm2 14 15 

Non-military firearm2 177 67 

Firearm of unknown origin2 1 0 

Falling/ Jumping 9 3.2 7 0.6 

Sharp/blunt object3 156 13.9 

Other 1 0.4 64 5.7 

Pending/Unknown 1 0.4 20 1.8 

Table continued on next page. 

42 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

Table 15 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context/or All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

All Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Alcohol use during event1 

Yes 81 28.8 396 35.2 

No 102 36.3 689 61.2 

Unknown 98 34.9 41 3.6 

Drug use during event1 

Yes4 44 15.7 581 51.6 

Illicit drug use 

Used, overdose 0 47 

Used, no overdose 2 19 

Prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 3 347 

Used, no overdose 22 76 

Non-prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 1 168 

Used, no overdose 18 45 

No 121 43.1 529 47.0 

Unknown 116 41.3 16 1.4 

Alcohol and drug use during event1 

Yes 18 6.4 200 18.4 

No 146 52.0 875 77.7 

Unknown 117 41.6 46 4.1 

Communicated potential for self-harm 

Yes 82 29.2 258 22.9 

Manner4 

Written 6 17 

Verbal 56 161 

Text 26 105 

Other 6 5 

Number of recipients 

One 64 195 

More than one 18 63 

Table continued on next page. 

43 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 15 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

All Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Recipients4 

Supervisor 10 34 

Chaplain 1 4 

Mental health staff 17 53 

Friend 21 97 

Spouse 37 96 

Family member (other than spouse) 9 20 

Other 12 34 

No 168 59.8 835 74.2 

Unknown 31 11.0 33 2.9 

Death-risk gambling 

Yes 0 0.0 14 1.3 

No 246 87.5 1,102 97.9 

Unknown 35 12.5 10 0.9 

Planned/premeditated 

Yes 125 44.5 327 29.0 

No 81 28.8 712 63.2 

Unknown 75 26.7 87 7.7 

Event occurred where it could be observed by others 

Yes 52 18.5 449 39.9 

No 201 71.5 630 56.0 

Unknown 28 10.0 47 4.2 

Suicide note left 

Yes 66 23.5 149 13.2 

No 169 60.1 949 84.3 

Unknown 46 16.4 28 2.5 

Residence at time of event 

Barracks 57 20.3 474 42.1 

Bachelor enlisted/officer quarters 7 2.5 26 

76 

2.3 

On-base family housing 12 4.3 6.7 

Off-base 170 60.5 470 41.7 

Ship 5 1.8 8 0.7 

Other 14 5.0 62 5.5 

Unknown 16 5.7 10 0.9 

Table continued on next page. 

44 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

Table 15 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

All Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Marital status residence 

Not married 145 51.6 599 53.2 

Married, resides with spouse 68 24.2 242 21.5 

Married, not living together, relationship issues 42 14.9 113 10.0 

Married, not living together, other reasons 17 6.0 87 7.7 

Married, unknown if resides with spouse 19 6.8 84 7.5 

Unknown 9 3.2 1 0.1 

Reside alone at time of event 

Yes 105 37.4 448 39.8 

No 159 56.6 650 57.7 

Unknown 17 6.0 28 2.5 

Has and resides with child 

Yes, live with Service member 48 17.1 166 14.7 

Yes, do not live with Service member 64 22.8 174 15.5 

Does not have children 150 53.4 777 69.0 

Unknown 19 6.8 9 0.8 

Gun in home/immediate environment 

Yes 178 63.3 162 14.4 

No 72 25.6 900 79.7 

Unknown 31 11.0 64 5.7 

Duty environment4 

Garrison/permanent command 207 73.7 938 83.3 

Leave 22 7.8 27 2.4 

TDY 4 1.4 16 1.4 

Deployed 15 5.3 40 3.6 

Training 13 4.6 52 4.6 

Psychiatric hospitalization 1 0.4 5 0.4 

Medical hold 11 3.9 29 2.6 

Other 10 3.6 63 5.6 1

Based on data provided by AFMES for suicide decedents. Cause of death or injury categories based on established 

ICD-10 coding groups. 2

Type of firearm used based on DoDSER data for suicides identified by AFMES as having died by use of a firearm. 3

Category not represented in ICD-10 coding groups for cause of death or injury; data are provided only for suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. 4

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

45 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 16 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide 

and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Total 281 1,126 

Any mental health diagnosis 

Yes 140 49.8 746 66.3 

Number of mental health diagnoses 

1 58 323 

2 31 218 

More than 2 37 205 

No 138 49.1 379 33.7 

Unknown 3 1.1 1 0.1 

History of any mood disorder 

Yes1 74 26.3 370 32.9 

Bipolar disorder 5 31 

Major depressive disorder 40 248 

Dysthymic disorder 11 21 

Other mood disorder 30 91 

No 201 71.5 739 65.6 

Unknown 6 2.1 17 1.5 

History of any anxiety disorder 

Yes1 59 21.0 288 25.6 

Post-traumatic stress 28 155 

Panic disorder 2 24 

Generalized anxiety disorder 17 68 

Acute stress disorder 2 10 

Other anxiety disorder 26 82 

No 214 76.2 822 73.0 

Unknown 8 2.8 16 1.4 

History of any personality disorder 

Yes 9 3.2 80 7.1 

No 266 94.7 1,032 91.7 

Unknown 6 2.1 14 1.2 

History of any psychotic disorder 

Yes 2 0.7 11 1.0 

No 273 97.2 1,107 98.3 

Unknown 6 2.1 8 0.7 

Table continued on next page. 

46 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

Table 16 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for All 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 

2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

History of adjustment disorder 

Yes 68 24.2 305 27.1 

No 206 73.3 804 71.4 

Unknown 7 2.5 17 1.5 

History of substance abuse 

Yes 62 22.1 309 27.4 

No 202 71.9 794 70.5 

Unknown 17 6.0 23 2.0 

History of any sleep disorder 

Yes 40 14.2 144 12.8 

No 233 82.9 970 86.1 

Unknown 8 2.8 12 1.1 

History of traumatic brain injury 

Yes 14 5.0 61 5.4 

No 254 90.4 1,057 93.9 

Unknown 13 4.6 8 0.7 

Family history of mental illness 

Yes 37 13.2 347 30.8 

No 143 50.9 687 61.0 

Unknown 101 35.9 92 8.2 

Prior self-injury 

Yes 41 14.6 345 30.6 

Number of incidents 

One 25 188 

More than one 16 154 

Unknown 0 3 

Prior incident similar to current event 

Yes 13 179 

No 24 150 

Unknown 4 16 

No 218 77.6 759 67.4 

Unknown 22 7.8 22 2.0 

Table continued on next page. 

47 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 16 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for All 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 

2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Ever taken psychotropic medications 

Yes 82 29.2 473 42.0 

No 178 63.3 631 56.0 

Unknown 

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days 

21 7.5 22 2.0 

Yes1 55 19.6 380 33.7 

Antidepressants 43 329 

Anxiolytics 21 161 

Anti manics 1 15 

Anticonvulsants 5 16 

Antipsychotics 6 37 

Sleep medications 25 194 

No 205 73.0 722 64.1 

Unknown 

Use of opioid medications, last 90 days 

21 7.5 24 2.1 

Yes 6 2.1 50 4.4 

No 236 84.0 1,034 91.8 

Unknown 

Met criteria for polypharmacy 

39 13.9 42 3.7 

Yes 11 3.9 101 9.0 

No 252 89.7 976 86.7 

Unknown 

Accessed health or social services, last 90 days 

18 6.4 49 4.4 

Yes1 171 60.9 754 67.0 

Medical treatment facility 153 573 

Substance abuse services 19 122 

Family assistance Program 16 60 

Outpatient mental health 91 550 

Inpatient mental health 17 164 

No 107 38.1 372 33.0 

Unknown 3 1.1 0 0.0 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

48 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

Table 17 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Total 281 1,126 

Failed or failing relationship, last 90 days 

Yes1 118 42.0 483 42.9 

Intimate relationship 103 436 

Other relationship 35 120 

No 136 48.4 637 56.6 

Unknown 27 9.6 6 0.5 

Friend and family stressors, last 90 days 

Yes1 8 2.8 109 9.7 

Death of spouse or other family member 

(manner other than suicide) 4 44 

Death of friend (manner other than 

suicide) 0 32 

Serious illness of friend or family member 4 51 

No 244 86.8 997 88.5 

Unknown 29 10.3 20 1.8 

History of friend or family death by suicide 

Yes1 16 5.7 178 15.8 

Spouse 0 2 

Family member 8 68 

Friend 9 129 

No 250 89.0 941 83.6 

Unknown 15 5.3 7 0.6 

Administrative/legal problems, last 90 days 

Yes1 92 32.7 370 32.9 

Courts martial proceedings 3 22 

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment 22 121 

Administrative separation proceedings 19 106 

Away without leave/deserter status 15 26 

Medical evaluation board proceedings 12 98 

Civil legal proceedings 37 67 

Non-selection for promotion 7 26 

Under investigation 34 97 

No 178 63.3 751 66.7 

Unknown 11 3.9 5 0.4 

Table continued on next page. 

49 
CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 17 (cont.) Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Excessive debt/bankruptcy, last 90 days 

Yes 18 6.4 79 7.0 

No 219 77.9 999 88.7 

Unknown 

Workplace difficulties, last 90 days 

44 15.7 48 4.3 

Yes1 56 19.9 403 35.8 

Job problems 42 292 

Supervisor/coworker issues 23 266 

Poor performance review 17 130 

Unit/workplace hazing 1 28 

No 205 73.0 707 62.8 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment victimization, last year 

20 7.1 16 1.4 

Yes1 13 4.6 136 12.1 

Physical abuse or assault 3 64 

Sexual abuse or assault2 1 37 

Sexual assault3 0 28 

Emotional abuse 11 82 

Sexual harassment 0 30 

No 239 85.1 968 86.0 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment perpetration, last year 

29 10.3 22 2.0 

Yes1 27 9.6 71 6.3 

Physical abuse or assault 17 42 

Sexual abuse or assault 8 25 

Emotional abuse 12 25 

Sexual harassment 2 6 

No 227 80.8 1,028 91.3 

Unknown 27 9.6 27 2.4 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 2

Data based on response to a specific item in DoDSER. 3 Data provided by SAPRO on unrestricted reports of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. These data 

represent a subset, and are not inclusive of all sexual assault cases. For more information please visit: 

httQ :/ / sapr. mil/index. php/ annual-reQorts 

50 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 3: JOINT DATA 

Table 18 Deployment History1for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt Suicide Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 281 1,126 

Ever deployed 

Yes 153 54.4 444 39.4 

Specific locations2 

Iraq 70 187 

Afghanistan 90 265 

Kuwait 97 244 

Number of deployments 

1 59 214 

2 48 118 

3 or more 46 112 

No 128 45.6 685 60.6 

Event occurred during deployment 

Yes 8 2.8 28 2.5 

Afghanistan 6 18 

Kuwait 0 5 

Other location 2 5 

No 273 97.2 1,098 97.5 

History of direct combat 

Yes2 41 14.6 173 15.4 

Combat resulting in casualties/wounded 26 113 

Wounded or injured in combat 5 36 

Witnessed a kill 25 119 

Saw bodies of other Service members 27 119 

Killed others in combat 17 66 

No 195 69.4 904 80.3 

Unknown 45 16.0 49 4.4 1

Deployment data, excluding history of direct combat, provided by the DMDC from the CTS. 2

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

51 
O

DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTER4 

U.S. AIR FORCE 

52 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

DoDSER Results Summary: Air Force 

The DoDSER system collects standardized data on demographic, contextual, behavioral health, 

historical and risk-related factors for all identified suicides and suicide attempts that occur 

among both Active Component Service members and Service members in the Reserves and 

National Guard who were in a duty status at the time of the event. 

Mortality and Suicide Attempt Incidence 

According to the AFMES, as of March 31, 2015, a total of 60 suicides occurred among Air Force 

Active Component Service members and 3 occurred among Service members in the Air Force 

Reserve and Air National Guard who were in a duty status at the time of death during CY 2014. 

ADoDSER was submitted for 60 of these suicides. These DoDSER reports were used in the 

generation of the data tables included in this section. 

There were 247 suicide attempt DoDSER reports submitted by the Air Force. These reports 

provided data on 236 unique Service members-226 (95.8%) with 1 reported attempt and 10 

(4.2%) with 2 or more reported attempts. 

Demographics 

Demographic variables for all suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports are displayed in 

Table 19. 

For the Air Force, the most common demographic features for suicide DoDSER reports included 

these following characteristics: 

• Male (n = 52, 86.7%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 43, 71.7%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 57, 95.0%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 40, 66.7%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 48, 80.0%). 

• Enlisted (n = 56, 93.3%) 

• Approximately evenly distributed between never married (n = 25, 41.7%) and married (n 

= 28, 46.7%) 

53 
0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

0 

_I . I I • 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Drug/Alcohol Firearm Hanging 

CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

The most common demographic features for suicide attempt DoDSER reports included: 

• Male (n = 168, 68.0%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 166, 67.2%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 239, 96.8%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 198, 80.2%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 198, 80.2%) 

• Junior enlisted (El-E4, n = 164, 66.4%) 

• Approximately evenly distributed between never married (n = 103, 41.7%) and married 

(n = 116, 47.0%) 

The largest demographic differences between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

in the prevalence of females (32.0% for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 13.3% for 

suicide DoDSER reports) and rank status (66.4% El-E4 for suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

versus 48.3% for suicide DoDSER reports). 

Event Information 

Detailed descriptive statistics on the locations, contexts and methods of suicide and suicide 

attempts are presented in this section and in Table 20. These data describe the circumstances 

surrounding the suicide event itself and address both the antecedents and consequences of the 

event. 

Figure 4 depicts the proportion of Air Force DoDSER reports-including both suicide-related 

deaths and suicide attemptsthat identified the use of a 

firearm, hanging, and 

drug/alcohol overdose over 

the past three years. Suicide 

DoDSER reports described 

more frequent reports of 

firearm use and hanging than 

did suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. The majority of the 

firearm use recorded in 

suicide DoDSER reports did 

not involve military weapons 

(n = 40, 95.2% of the suicide 

DoDSER reports involving a 

firearm as the mechanism of 

Figure 4. Proportion of Air Force suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs that reported 

drug/alcohol use, firearm, and hanging as the method of injury, CY 2012 - 2014. 

54 
.

0 

0 

0 

co 

0 C 

0 

0 

0 

Suicide 

I . I_ 

Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

0 

0 11 11 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Behavioral diagnosis Medications Prior self-injury 

11 

DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

injury). The prevalence of firearm use in suicide DoDSER reports was higher for CY 2014 

compared to CY 2013, but the difference was not statistically significant (OR= 1.62, 95% CI= 

0.66, 3.99). The prevalence of drug or alcohol use as the primary mechanism of injury in suicide 

attempt DoDSERs for CY 2014 was consistent with that observed for CY 2013 (OR= 0.85, 95% 

CI= 0.57, 1.27). 

Alcohol use was identified in 18 Air Force suicide DoDSER reports (30.0%) and in 107 Air 

Force suicide attempt DoDSER reports (43.3%), regardless of whether it was the primary cause, 

used in conjunction with another method ( e.g., overdose/intentional drunk driving) or facilitated 

the use of another means. Drug use during the event was not commonly identified for suicide 

DoDSER reports (n = 8, 13.3%), but it was reported in 139 suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

(56.3%). The data on alcohol and drug use for suicides was provided by toxicology reports from 

postmortem examinations from AFMES. The high proportion of "unknown" responses reflects 

inconclusive results, no toxicology examination or an inability to access a toxicology report from 

a civilian authority. 

Behavioral Health History 

Data on behavioral health variables are provided in Table 21. Figure 5 displays the proportion of 

Air Force suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that indicated a history of any behavioral 

health diagnosis ( ever), prior self-injury ( ever) or use of psychotropic medications (within 90 

days prior to the event) for CY 2012 - CY 2014. The prevalence of behavioral health diagnoses 

and psychotropic medication 

use reported in suicide 

DoDSERs in CY 2014 was 

consistent with the prevalence 

estimates reported in CY 2013 

DoDSER reports. The 

prevalence of prior self-injury 

was higher in suicide 

DoDSER reports for CY 2014 

compared to CY 2013; 

however, given the small 

number of reports that 

indicated this determinant in 

CY 2013, we could not 

estimate a reliable statistical 

comparison. The prevalence 

Figure 5. Proportion of Air Force suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported any behavioral health diagnosis ever, psychotropic medication use in the 90 

days prior to the event, or prior self-injury ever, CY 2012-CY 2014. 

55 
11

0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

0 HI II 1 0 111 11 II 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Failed relationship Legal/Administrative Work 

CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

estimates of these determinants in CY 2014 suicide attempt DoDSER reports were consistent 

with those observed for CY 2013. For CY 2014, we observed a lower prevalence of a history of 

any behavioral health diagnosis (OR= 0.45, 95% CI= 0.24, 0.84) and use of psychotropic 

medications (OR= 0.41, 95% CI= 0.21, 0.81) in suicide DoDSER reports compared to suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. The most common behavioral health diagnoses identified in suicide 

DoDSER reports included mood (n= 17, 28.3%), adjustment (n = 14, 23.3%) and anxiety (n = 

13, 21.7%) disorders. For suicide attempt DoDSER reports, the most common diagnoses 

identified were also mood (n = 90, 36.4%), adjustment (n = 79, 32.0%) and anxiety disorders (n 

= 61, 24.7%). 

Psychosocial Stressors 

Psychosocial factors included in the DoDSER report form pertain to information collected about 

relationships, family issues, legal or administrative problems, work and financial difficulties, and 

alleged abuse victimization or perpetration. Overall, 40 suicide DoDSER reports (66.7%) and 

208 suicide attempt DoDSER reports (86.0%) indicated the presence of at least one of these 

factors. Table 22 provides descriptive data for each factor. Figure 6 displays the proportion of 

suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that reported relationship, administrative/legal, 

workplace and financial difficulties during the 90 days prior to the event. The prevalence of 

failed or failing relationships decreased in suicide DoDSER reports for CY 2014 compared to 

CY 2013, but this decrease was not statistically significant (OR= 0.49, 95% CI= 0.21, 1. 15). 

The other factors were largely 

consistent between the two 

years. Similarly, there were 

no statistically significant 

differences in the prevalence 

of these three types of 

stressors between CY 2013 

and CY 2014 for suicide or 

suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. There were no 

statistically significant 

differences in the prevalence 

of these factors between 

suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports in CY 2014. 

Figure 6. Proportion of Air Force suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported failed relationships, legal/administrative problems or workplace difficulties 

in the 90 days prior to the event. 

56 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

In this report, DoDSER cases were matched against cases of sexual assault that had been 

collected through the DoD's option to make an Unrestricted Report of Sexual Assault. According 

to the SAPRO data, 0 suicide DoDSER reports and 8 suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

associated with an unrestricted report of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. Table 

22 provides the number of sexual assaults recorded via the DoDSER report form. 

Deployment 

A history of deployment was a factor in 50% of suicide and 39.7% of suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. The prevalence of a history of at least one deployment was consistent between CY 2013 

and CY 2014 for both suicide DoDSER reports (OR= 0.87, 95% CI= 0.35, 2.17) and suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports (OR= 0.91, 95% CI= 0.58, 1.42). For CY 2014, there was no 

statistical difference in the prevalence of deployment history between suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (OR= 1.19, 95% CI= 0.58, 2.44). 

57 
CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 19 Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicide and Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 60 247 

Sex 

Male 52 86.7 168 68.0 

Female 8 13.3 79 32.0 

Age at event 

17-19 3 5.0 9 3.6 

20-24 27 45.0 119 48.2 

25-29 10 16.7 70 28.3 

30-34 11 18.3 25 10.1 

35-39 8 13.3 12 4.9 

40-44 1 1.7 8 3.2 

45-59 0 0.0 4 1.6 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 0 0.0 5 2.0 

Asian/Pacific Islander 1 1.7 7 2.8 

Black/ African American 9 15.0 46 18.6 

White/Caucasian 43 71.7 166 67.2 

Other/Unknown 7 11.7 23 9.3 

Hispanic ethnicity 

Yes 3 5.0 8 3.2 

No 57 95.0 239 96.8 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Education 

Some high school, did not graduate 1 1.7 0 0.0 

Alternative high school certification 0 0.0 0 0.0 

High school graduate 48 80.0 198 80.2 

Some college or technical school, no degree or certificate 0 0.0 3 1.2 

College degree of less than four years 6 10.0 29 11.7 

Four-year college degree 4 6.7 11 4.5 

Master's degree or greater 1 1.7 6 2.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Component 

Active 58 96.7 243 98.4 

Reserve 0 0.0 1 0.4 

National Guard 2 3.3 3 1.2 

Table continued on next page. 

58 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

Table 19 (cont.) Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status 

Never married 25 41.7 103 41.7 

Married 28 46.7 116 47.0 

Separated 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Divorced 6 10.0 28 11.3 

Widowed 1 1.7 0 0.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet 0 0.0 2 0.8 

El-E4 29 48.3 164 66.4 

ES-E9 27 45.0 70 28.3 

Officer 4 6.7 11 4.5 

DoD occupational category 

Enlisted 

Infantry, gun crews, and seamanship specialists 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Electronic equipment repairers 3 5.0 24 9.7 

Communications and intelligence specialists 5 8.3 16 6.5 

Health care specialists 4 6.7 17 6.9 

Other technical and allied specialists 4 6.7 13 5.3 

Functional support and administration 4 6.7 51 20.6 

Electrical/mechanical equipment repairers 20 33.3 55 22.3 

Crafts workers 2 3.3 8 3.2 

Service and supply handlers 7 11.7 37 15.0 

Non-occupational 5 8.3 8 3.2 

Unknown 2 3.3 3 1.2 

Officer 

Tactical operations officers 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Intelligence officers 1 1.7 2 0.8 

Engineering and maintenance officers 2 3.3 0 0.0 

Scientists and professionals 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Health care officers 1 1.7 3 1.2 

Administrators 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Supply, procurement and allied officers 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Non-occupational 0 0.0 3 1.2 1 Demographic and Service characteristics provided by the DMDC. 

59 
CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 20 Event Location, Event Method, and Event Context/or All Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 60 231 

Event location country 

United States 57 95.0 211 85.4 

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Afghanistan 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Kuwait 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Korea 1 1.7 4 1.6 

Other Europe 0 0.0 2 0.8 

North America 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Japan 0 0.0 6 2.4 

Belgium 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Germany 1 1.7 9 3.6 

United Kingdom 0 0.0 6 2.4 

Other 1 1.7 8 3.2 

Event setting 

Own residence 33 55.0 145 58.7 

Barracks 9 15.0 66 26.7 

Residence of friend or family 0 0.0 11 4.5 

Work/jobsite 3 5.0 3 1.2 

Automobile 5 8.3 10 4.0 

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Hotel 4 6.7 2 0.8 

Recreational area 4 6.7 0 0.0 

Other 2 3.3 9 3.6 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Event method1 

Drugs/alcohol 1 1.7 140 56.7 

Hanging/asphyxiation 14 23.3 26 10.5 

Poisoning 1 1.7 14 5.7 

Firearm 42 70.0 9 3.6 

Military firearm2 2 0 

Non-military firearm2 40 9 

Firearm of unknown origin2 0 0 

Falling/ Jumping 2 3.3 0 

Sharp/blunt object3 0 0.0 39 15.8 

Other 0 0.0 15 6.1 

Pending/unknown 0 0.0 4 1.6 

Table continued on next page. 

60 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

Table 20 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event Context 

for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY Suicide Suicide Attempt 

2014 No. % No. % 

Alcohol use during event1 

Yes 18 30.0 107 43.3 

No 23 38.3 131 53.0 

Unknown 19 31.7 9 3.6 

Drug use during event1 

Yes4 8 13.3 139 56.3 

Illicit drug use 

Used, overdose 0 7 

Used, no overdose 0 4 

Prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 1 89 

Used, no overdose 6 12 

Non-prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 0 39 

Used, no overdose 2 13 

No 30 50.0 104 42.1 

Unknown 22 36.7 4 1.6 

Alcohol and drug use during event 

Yes 2 3.3 66 26.7 

No 36 60.0 170 68.8 

Unknown 22 36.7 11 4.5 

Communicated potential for self-harm 

Yes 20 33.3 71 28.7 

Manner 

Written 0 6 

Verbal 16 44 

Text 6 30 

Other 1 1 

Number of recipients 

One 14 55 

More than one 6 16 

Table continued on next page. 

61 
CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 20 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event Context 

for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY Suicide Suicide Attempt 

2014 No. % No. % 

Recipients 

Supervisor 4 11 

Chaplain 0 2 

Mental health staff 3 22 

Friend 6 20 

Spouse 11 23 

Family member (other than spouse) 1 4 

Other 2 10 

No 34 56.7 171 69.2 

Unknown 6 10.0 5 2.0 

Death-risk gambling 

Yes 0 0.0 1 0.4 

No 54 90.0 242 98.0 

Unknown 6 10.0 4 1.6 

Planned/premeditated 

Yes 31 51.7 67 27.1 

No 15 25.0 156 63.2 

Unknown 14 23.3 24 9.7 

Event occurred where it could be observed by others 

Yes 9 15.0 90 36.4 

No 45 75.0 148 59.9 

Unknown 6 10.0 9 3.6 

Suicide note left 

Yes 23 38.3 53 21.5 

No 31 51.7 183 74.1 

Unknown 6 10.0 11 4.5 

Residence at time of event 

Barracks 14 23.3 68 27.5 

Bachelor Enlisted Quarters/Bachelor Officer Quarters 1 1.7 6 2.4 

On-base family housing 5 8.3 31 12.6 

Off-base 39 65.0 135 54.7 

Ship 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other 1 1.7 6 2.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Table continued on next page. 

62 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

Table 20 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event Context 

for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY Suicide Suicide Attempt 

2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status residence 

Not married 32 53.3 131 53.0 

Married, resides with spouse 18 30.0 53 21.5 

Married, not living together, relationship issues 5 8.3 32 13.0 

Married, not living together, other reasons 0 0.0 16 6.5 

Married, unknown if resides with spouse 5 8.3 15 6.1 

Unknown 1 1.7 0 0.0 

Reside alone at time of event 

Yes 28 46.7 119 48.2 

No 31 51.7 126 51.0 

Unknown 1 1.7 2 0.8 

Has and resides with child 

Yes, live with Service member 16 26.7 45 18.2 

Yes, do not live with Service member 6 10.0 37 15.0 

Does not have children 37 61.7 164 66.4 

Unknown 1 1.7 1 0.4 

Gun in home/immediate environment 

Yes 37 61.7 34 13.8 

No 16 26.7 200 81.0 

Unknown 7 11.7 13 5.3 

Duty environment 

Garrison/permanent command 47 78.3 224 90.7 

Leave 6 10.0 6 2.4 

TDY 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Deployed 0 0.0 4 1.6 

Training 4 6.7 4 1.6 

Psychiatric hospitalization 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Medical hold 0 0.0 3 1.2 

Other 4 6.7 11 4.5 1

Based on data provided by AFMES for suicide decedents. Cause of death or injury categories based on established 

ICD-10 coding groups. 2

Type of firearm used based on DoDSER data for suicides identified by AFMES as having died by use of a firearm. 3

Category not represented in ICD-10 coding groups for cause of death or injury; data are provided only for suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. 4

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

63 
CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 21 Medical and Behavioral Health history for All Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 60 247 

Any mental health diagnosis 

Yes 28 46.7 161 65.2 

Number of mental health diagnoses 

1 10 71 

2 9 45 

More than 2 9 45 

No 31 51.7 86 34.8 

Unknown 1 1.7 0 0.0 

History of any mood disorder 

Yes1 17 28.3 90 36.4 

Bipolar disorder 1 4 

Major depressive disorder 7 59 

Dysthymic disorder 4 7 

Other mood disorder 7 25 

No 42 70.0 155 62.8 

Unknown 1 1.7 2 0.8 

History of any anxiety disorder 

Yes1 13 21.7 61 24.7 

Post-traumatic stress 6 27 

Panic disorder 1 4 

Generalized anxiety disorder 2 19 

Acute stress disorder 0 1 

Other anxiety disorder 6 19 

No 46 76.7 182 73.7 

Unknown 1 1.7 4 1.6 

History of any personality disorder 

Yes 3 5.0 28 11.3 

No 56 93.3 217 87.9 

Unknown 1 1.7 2 0.8 

History of any psychotic disorder 

Yes 0 0.0 3 1.2 

No 59 98.3 243 98.4 

Unknown 1 1.7 1 0.4 

Table continued on next page. 

64 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

Table 21 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

History of adjustment disorder 

Yes 14 23.3 79 32.0 

No 45 75.0 164 66.4 

Unknown 1 1.7 4 1.6 

History of substance abuse 

Yes 8 13.3 39 16.9 

No 48 80.0 186 80.5 

Unknown 4 6.7 6 2.6 

History of any sleep disorder 

Yes 3 5.0 30 12.1 

No 55 91.7 214 86.6 

Unknown 2 3.3 3 1.2 

History of traumatic brain injury 

Yes 1 1.7 2 0.8 

No 57 95.0 243 98.4 

Unknown 2 3.3 2 0.8 

Family history of mental illness 

Yes 7 11.7 88 35.6 

No 33 55.0 139 56.3 

Unknown 20 33.3 20 8.1 

Prior self-injury 

Yes 11 18.3 72 29.1 

Number of incidents 

One 8 44 

More than one 3 24 

Prior incident similar to current event 

Yes 3 35 

No 6 34 

Unknown 2 3 

No 45 75.0 157 68.0 

Unknown 4 6.7 6 2.6 

Table continued on next page. 

65 
CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 21 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Ever taken psychotropic medications 

Yes 22 36.7 132 53.4 

No 34 56.7 113 45.7 

Unknown 4 6.7 2 0.8 

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days 

Yes1 16 26.7 113 45.7 

Antidepressants 14 95 

Anxiolytics 7 56 

Anti manics 0 3 

Anticonvulsants 2 2 

Antipsychotics 1 10 

Sleep medications 3 55 

No 40 66.7 132 53.4 

Unknown 4 6.7 2 0.8 

Use of opioid medications, last 90 days 

Yes 1 1.7 18 7.3 

No 50 83.3 222 89.9 

Unknown 9 15.0 7 2.8 

Met criteria for polypharmacy 

Yes 1 1.7 23 9.3 

No 53 88.3 217 87.9 

Unknown 6 10.0 7 2.8 

Accessed health or social services, last 90 days 

Yes1 42 70.0 199 80.6 

Medical treatment facility 38 178 

Substance abuse services 6 33 

Family assistance Program 2 28 

Outpatient mental health 25 130 

Inpatient mental health 5 46 

No 17 28.3 48 19.4 

Unknown 1 1.7 0 0.0 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

66 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

Table 22 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 60 247 

Failed or failing relationship, last 90 days 

Yes1 26 43.3 134 54.3 

Intimate relationship 23 118 

Other relationship 10 36 

No 29 48.3 112 45 .3 

Unknown 5 8.3 1 0.4 

Friend and family stressors, last 90 days 

Yes1 1 1.7 24 9.7 

Death of spouse or other family member 

(manner other than suicide) 0 9 

Death of friend (manner other than 

suicide) 0 4 

Serious illness of friend or family member 1 14 

No 53 88.3 220 89.1 

Unknown 6 10.0 3 1.2 

History of friend or family death by suicide 

Yes 5 8.3 33 13.4 

Spouse 0 0 

Family member 3 15 

Friend 2 21 

No 53 88.3 214 86.6 

Unknown 2 3.3 0 0.0 

Administrative/legal problems, last 90 days 

Yes1 17 28.3 

Courts martial proceedings 1 81 32.8 

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment 4 8 

Administrative separation proceedings 6 22 

Away without leave/deserter status 1 20 

Medical evaluation board proceedings 2 0 

Civil legal proceedings 7 32 

Non-selection for promotion 1 20 

Under investigation 2 2 

No 42 70.0 23 

Unknown 1 1.7 166 67.2 

Table continued on next page. 

67 
CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 22 (cont.) Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Excessive debt/bankruptcy, last 90 days 

Yes 3 5.0 22 8.9 

No 49 81.7 218 88.3 

Unknown 

Workplace difficulties, last 90 days 

8 13.3 7 2.8 

Yes1 17 28.3 95 38.5 

Job problems 12 69 

Supervisor/coworker issues 5 63 

Poor performance review 7 35 

Unit/workplace hazing 1 4 

No 40 66.7 151 61.1 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment victimization, last year 

3 5.0 1 0.4 

Yes 5 8.3 40 16.2 

Physical abuse or assault 1 21 

Sexual abuse or assault2 0 13 

Sexual assault3 0 8 

Emotional abuse 5 22 

Sexual harassment 0 8 

No 47 78.3 191 83.0 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment perpetration, last year 

8 13.3 2 0.8 

Yes1 5 8.3 28 11.3 

Physical abuse or assault 1 20 

Sexual abuse or assault 0 11 

Emotional abuse 5 11 

Sexual harassment 0 1 

No 49 81.7 218 88.3 

Unknown 6 10.0 1 0.4 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 2

Data based on response to a specific item in DoDSER. 3

Data provided by SAPRO on unrestricted reports of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. These data 

represent a subset, and are not inclusive of all sexual assault cases. For more information please visit: 

http://sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports 

68 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 4: U.S. AIR FORCE 

Table 23 Deployment History1for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 60 247 

Ever deployed 

Yes 30 50.0 98 39.7 

Specific locations2 

Iraq 10 21 

Afghanistan 6 18 

Kuwait 10 21 

Number of deployments 

1 14 43 

2 7 31 

3 or more 9 24 

No 30 50.0 149 60.3 

Event occurred during deployment 

Yes 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Afghanistan 0 0 

Kuwait 0 0 

Other location 0 0 

No 60 100.0 247 100.0 

History of direct combat 

Yes2 1 1.7 16 6.5 

Combat resulting in casualties/wounded 1 7 

Wounded or injured in combat 0 2 

Witnessed a kill 1 8 

Saw bodies of other Service members 1 8 

Killed others in combat 1 1 

No 51 85.0 221 89.5 

Unknown 8 13.3 10 4.0 1

Deployment data, excluding history of direct combat, provided by the DMDC from the CTS. 2

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

69 
O

DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTERS 

U.S. ARMY 

70 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

DoDSER Result Summary: Army 

The DoDSER system collects standardized data on demographic, contextual, behavioral health, 

historical and risk-related factors for all identified suicides and suicide attempts that occur 

among both Active Component Service members and Service members in the Army Reserve and 

Army National Guard who were in a duty status at the time of the event. 

Mortality and Suicide Attempt Incidence 

According to the AFMES, as of March 31, 2015, there were 122 suicides among Service 

members in the Active Component for CY 2014 and 12 suicides among Service members in the 

Army Reserve and Army National Guard while in a duty status at the time of death. A suicide 

DoDSER report was submitted for 128 of these suicides. These DoDSER reports were used in 

the generation of the data tables included in this section. 

There were 514 suicide attempt DoDSER reports submitted by the Army. These reports provided 

data on 501 unique Service members- 488 (97.4%) with 1 reported attempt and 13 (2.6%) with 

2 or more reported attempts. 

Demographics 

Demographic variables for all suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports are displayed in 

Table 24. 

For the Army, the most common demographic features for suicide DoDSER reports included 

these following characteristics: 

• Male (n = 122, 95.3%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 89, 69.5%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 111, 86.7%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 74, 57.8%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 88, 68.8%). 

• Enlisted (n = 114, 89.1%) 

• Married (n = 75, 58.6%) 

71 
Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 0 0 0 

0 0 

0 0 

0 0 

0 0 

0 ■ I -I - I 0 I I 11 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Drug/Alcohol Firearm Hanging 

CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

The most common demographic features for Characteristics of suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

included: 

• Male (n = 391, 76.1 %) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 356, 69.3%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 439, 85.4%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 371, 72.2%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 393, 76.5%) 

• Junior enlisted (El-E4, n = 335, 65.2%) 

• Approximately evenly distributed between never married (n = 226, 44.0%) and married 

(n = 247, 48.1 %) 

The largest demographic differences between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

in the prevalence of females (23.9% for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 4.7% for suicide 

DoDSER reports) and rank status (65.2% El-E4 for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 

39.8% for suicide DoDSER reports). 

Event Information 

Detailed descriptive statistics on the locations, contexts and methods of suicide and suicide 

attempts are presented in this section and in Table 25. These data describe the circumstances 

surrounding the suicide event 

itself and address both the 

antecedents and consequences 

of the event. 

Figure 7 depicts the 

proportion ofDoDSER 

reports-including both 

suicide-related deaths and 

suicide attempts-that 

identified the use of a firearm, 

hanging and drug/alcohol 

overdose over the past three 

years. Suicide DoDSER 

reports recorded more 

frequent firearm use and 

hanging than did reports of 

Figure 7. Proportion of Army suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs that reported 

drug/alcohol use, firearm, and hanging as the method of injury, CY 2012-2014. 

72 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

suicide attempt. The majority of the firearms used in suicide DoDSER reports were not military 

weapons (n = 89, 92. 7% of suicide DoDSER reports with a firearm as the mechanism of injury). 

The prevalence of firearm use in suicide DoDSER reports was higher for CY 2014 compared to 

CY 2013 (OR= 1.81, 95% CI= 1.02, 3.23). The prevalence of alcohol or drug use as the primary 

mechanism of injury in suicide attempt DoDSERs was consistent between CY 2013 and CY 

2014 (OR= 0.88, 95% CI= 0.67, 1. 15). 

Alcohol use was identified in 30 suicide DoDSER reports (23.4%) and in 148 suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (28.8%), regardless of whether it was the primary cause, used in conjunction 

with another method ( e.g., overdose/intentional drunk driving) or facilitated the use of another 

means. Drug use during the event was not commonly identified for suicide DoDSER reports (n = 

18, 14.1 %), but it was reported in 261 suicide attempt DoDSER reports (50.6%). The data on 

alcohol and drug use for suicides was provided by toxicology reports from postmortem 

examinations from AFMES. The high proportion of "unknown" responses reflects inconclusive 

results, no toxicology examination or an inability to access a toxicology report from a civilian 

authority. 

Behavioral Health History 

Data on behavioral health variables are provided in Table 26. Figure 8 displays the proportion of 

suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports that 

indicated a history of any 

behavioral health diagnosis 

( ever), prior self-injury ( ever) 

or use of psychotropic 

medications (within 90 days 

prior to the event) for CY 

2012-CY 2014. We observed 

an increase in the prevalence 

of a prior history of selfinjury in CY 2014 suicide 

DoDSER reports compared to 

CY 2013, however, this 

increase was not statistically 

significant (OR= 1.86, 95% 

CI= 0.87, 3.95). 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

0 

0 

0 

C 0 

0 

Year 

Behavioral diagnosis Medications Prior self-injury 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

11 1. 0 II 0 II II II 

2012 2013 201 4 2012 2013 2014 

Figure 8. Proportion of Anny suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported any behavioral health diagnosis ever, psychotropic medication use in the 90 

days prior to the event, or prior self-injury ever, CY 2012-CY 2014. 

73 
lll

0 

0 

0 

co 

C 0 

0 

"ST 

0 

0 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

"ST 

0 

111 111 111 0 Il Il Il 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Failed relationship Legal/Administrative Work 

CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

The prevalence estimates of a history of any behavioral health diagnosis, use of psychotropic 

medications and history of prior self-injury in CY 2014 suicide DoDSER reports were consistent 

with those observed for CY 2013 . The same is true regarding CY 2014 suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. For CY 2014, the prevalence estimates of all three determinants were lower for suicide 

DoDSER reports compared to suicide attempt DoDSER reports (behavioral health diagnosis [OR 

= 0.54, 95% CI= 0.35, 0.84]; prior history of self-injury [OR= 0.56, 95% CI= 0.33, 0.95]; 

psychotropic medication use [OR= 0.56, 95% CI= 0.33, 0.93]). The most common behavioral 

health diagnoses identified in suicide DoDSER reports included adjustment (n= 37, 28.9%), 

mood (n = 35, 27.3%) and substance abuse (n = 35, 27.3%) disorders. For suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports, the most common diagnoses identified were mood (n = 175, 34.0%), anxiety 

(n = 158, 30.7%) and adjustment disorders (n = 146, 28.4%) 

Psychosocial Stressors 

Psychosocial factors included in the DoDSER report form pertain to information collected about 

relationships, family issues, legal or administrative problems, work and financial difficulties, and 

alleged abuse victimization or perpetration. Table 27 provides descriptive data for each of these 

factors. A total of 81 suicide DoDSER reports (63.3%) and 407 suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

(79 .2%) indicated the presence of at least one of these factors. Figure 9 displays the proportion of 

suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that reported relationship, administrative/legal, 

workplace and financial difficulties during the 90 days prior to the event. There were no 

statistically significant 

differences in the prevalence 

of these three types of 

stressors between CY 2013 

and CY 2014 for suicide or 

suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. In CY 2014, the 

prevalence of workplace 

difficulties was lower for 

suicide DoDSER reports as 

compared to suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (OR= 0.51, 

95% CI= 0.31, 0.85). 

In this report, DoDSER cases 

were matched against cases of 

sexual assault that had been 

collected through the DoD's 

option to make an 

Figure 9. Proportion of Army suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported failed relationships, legal/administrative problems or workplace difficulties 

in the 90 days prior to the event. 

74 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Unrestricted Report of Sexual Assault. According to the SAPRO data, zero suicide DoDSER 

reports and four suicide attempt DoDSER reports were associated with an unrestricted report of 

sexual assault during the year prior to the event. Table 27 provides the number of sexual assaults 

recorded via the DoDSER report form. 

Deployment 

A history of deployment was a factor in 67.2% of suicide and 49.6% of suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. The prevalence of any deployment history decreased for both suicide and suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports between CY 2013 and CY 2014 (suicide [OR= 0.63, 95% CI= 0.32, 

1.24]; suicide attempt [OR= 0.53, 95% CI= 0.38, 0.72]), however, the difference was only 

statistically significant for suicide attempt DoDSER reports. For CY 2014, there was no 

statistical difference in the prevalence of deployment history between suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (OR= 1.02, 95% CI= 0.61, 1.70). 

75 
CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 24 Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 128 514 

Sex 

Male 122 95.3 391 76.1 

Female 6 4.7 123 23.9 

Age at event 

17-19 1 0.8 37 7.2 

20-24 36 28.1 207 40.3 

25-29 37 28.9 127 24.7 

30-34 22 17.2 72 14.0 

35-39 16 12.5 41 8.0 

40-44 11 8.6 21 4.1 

45-59 5 3.9 9 1.8 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 0 0.0 5 1.0 

Asian/Pacific Islander 4 3.1 20 3.9 

Black/ African American 29 22.7 125 24.3 

White/Caucasian 89 69.5 356 69.3 

Other/Unknown 6 4.7 8 1.6 

Hispanic ethnicity 

Yes 17 13.3 74 14.4 

No 111 86.7 439 85.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.2 

Education 

Some high school, did not graduate 1 0.8 4 0.8 

Alternative high school certification 12 9.4 54 10.5 

High school graduate 88 68.8 393 76.5 

Some college or technical school, no degree or certificate 0 0.0 3 0.6 

College degree of less than four years 6 4.7 19 3.7 

Four-year college degree 14 10.9 34 6.6 

Master's degree or greater 5 3.9 7 1.4 

Unknown 2 1.6 0 0.0 

Component 

Active 115 89.8 477 92.8 

Reserve 6 4.7 14 2.7 

National Guard 7 5.5 23 4.5 

Table continued on next page. 

76 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Table 24 (cont.) Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status 

Never married 34 26.6 226 44.0 

Married 75 58.6 247 48.1 

Separated 0 0.0 5 1.0 

Divorced 19 14.8 33 6.4 

Widowed 0 0.0 2 0.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.2 

Rank/grade 

Cadet 0 0.0 0 

El-E4 51 39.8 335 65.2 

ES-E9 63 49.2 144 28.0 

Officer 14 10.9 35 6.8 

DoD occupational category 

Enlisted 

Infantry, gun crews, and seamanship specialists 42 32.8 112 21.8 

Electronic equipment repairers 7 5.5 27 5.3 

Communications and intelligence specialists 9 7.0 68 13.2 

Health care specialists 6 4.7 51 9.9 

Other technical and allied specialists 5 3.9 30 5.8 

Functional support and administration 15 11.7 62 12.1 

Electrical/mechanical equipment repairers 13 10.2 45 8.8 

Crafts workers 2 1.6 5 1.0 

Service and supply handlers 15 11.7 63 12.3 

Non-occupational 0 0.0 7 1.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 9 1.8 

Officer 

Tactical operations officers 2 1.6 7 1.4 

Intelligence officers 1 0.8 3 0.6 

Engineering and maintenance officers 2 1.6 5 1.0 

Scientists and professionals 4 3.1 1 0.2 

Health care officers 1 0.8 8 1.6 

Administrators 1 0.8 4 0.8 

Supply, procurement and allied officers 2 1.6 6 1.2 

Non-occupational 1 0.8 1 0.2 1 Demographic and Service characteristics provided by the DMDC. 

77 
CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 25 Event Location, Event Method, and Event Context/or Suicide Suicide Attempt 

All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 128 514 

Event location country 

United States 116 90.6 415 80.7 

Iraq 0 0.0 1 0.2 

Afghanistan 5 3.9 14 2.7 

Kuwait 0 0.0 6 1.2 

Korea 0 0.0 30 5.8 

Other Europe 1 0.8 1 0.2 

North America 1 0.8 1 0.2 

Japan 0 0.0 1 0.2 

Belgium 0 0.0 2 0.4 

Germany 3 2.3 30 5.8 

United Kingdom 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other 2 1.6 13 2.5 

Event setting 

Own residence 68 53.1 193 37.5 

Barracks 15 11.7 213 41.4 

Residence of friend or family 10 7.8 16 3.1 

Work/jobsite 3 2.3 18 3.5 

Automobile 15 11.7 27 5.3 

Inpatient medical facility 0 3 0.6 

Hotel 2 1.6 12 2.3 

Recreational area 3 2.3 5 1.0 

Other 8 6.3 26 5.1 

Unknown 4 3.1 1 0.2 

Event method1 

Drugs/alcohol 2 1.6 280 54.5 

Hanging/asphyxiation 26 20.3 67 13.0 

Poisoning 1 0.8 10 1.9 

Firearm 96 75.0 49 9.5 

Military firearm2 6 14 

Non-military firearm2 89 35 

Firearm of unknown origin2 1 0 

Falling/ Jumping 1 0.8 5 1.0 

Sharp/blunt object3 61 11.9 

Other 1 0.8 32 6.2 

Pending/Unknown 1 0.8 10 1.9 

Table continued on next page. 

78 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Table 25 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context/or All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Alcohol use during event1 

Yes 30 23.4 148 28.8 

No 42 32.8 358 69.6 

Unknown 56 43.8 8 1.6 

Drug use during event1 

Yes4 18 14.1 260 50.6 

Illicit drug use 

Used, overdose 0 24 

Used, no overdose 1 11 

Prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 1 153 

Used, no overdose 11 50 

Non-prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 0 58 

Used, no overdose 5 20 

No 51 39.8 250 48.6 

Unknown 59 46.1 4 0.8 

Alcohol and drug use during event1 

Yes 7 5.5 76 14.8 

No 61 47.7 429 83.5 

Unknown 60 46.9 9 1.8 

Communicated potential for self-harm 

Yes 31 24.2 127 24.7 

Manner4 

Written 3 7 

Verbal 16 77 

Text 13 57 

Other 3 1 

Number of recipients 

One 25 95 

More than one 6 32 

Table continued on next page. 

79 
CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 25 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Recipients4 

Supervisor 3 16 

Chaplain 0 1 

Mental health staff 8 19 

Friend 9 55 

Spouse 11 49 

Family member (other than spouse) 2 9 

Other 7 18 

No 75 58.6 379 73.7 

Unknown 22 17.2 8 1.6 

Death-risk gambling 

Yes 0 0.0 11 2.1 

No 104 81.3 499 97.1 

Unknown 24 18.8 4 0.8 

Planned/premeditated 

Yes 54 42.2 164 31.9 

No 37 28.9 326 63.4 

Unknown 37 28.9 24 4.7 

Event occurred where it could be observed by others 

Yes 29 22.7 183 35.6 

No 80 62.5 315 61.3 

Unknown 19 14.8 16 3.1 

Suicide note left 

Yes 18 14.1 67 13.0 

No 78 60.9 441 85.8 

Unknown 32 25.0 6 1.2 

Residence at time of event 

Barracks 26 20.3 235 45.7 

Bachelor Enlisted Quarters/Bachelor Officer Quarters 1 0.8 5 1.0 

On-base family housing 4 3.1 30 5.8 

Off-base 73 57.0 201 39.1 

Ship 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other 9 7.0 41 8.0 

Unknown 15 11.7 2 0.4 

Table continued on next page. 

80 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Table 25 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context/or All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status residence 

Not married 53 41.4 266 51.8 

Married, resides with spouse 29 22.7 117 22.8 

Married, not living together, relationship issues 23 18.0 51 9.9 

Married, not living together, other reasons 11 8.6 43 8.4 

Married, unknown if resides with spouse 12 9.4 36 7.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.2 

Reside alone at time of event 

Yes 47 36.7 220 42.8 

No 66 51.6 290 56.4 

Unknown 15 11.7 4 0.8 

Has and resides with child 

Yes, live with Service member 16 12.5 81 15.8 

Yes, do not live with Service member 39 30.5 99 19.3 

Does not have children 56 43.8 331 64.4 

Unknown 17 13.3 3 0.6 

Gun in home/immediate environment 

Yes 83 64.8 88 17.1 

No 27 21.1 402 78.2 

Unknown 18 14.1 24 4.7 

Duty environment 

Garrison/permanent command 99 77.3 413 80.4 

Leave 8 6.3 11 2.1 

TDY 2 1.6 6 1.2 

Deployed 7 5.5 29 5.6 

Training 2 1.6 24 4.7 

Psychiatric hospitalization 1 0.8 3 0.6 

Medical hold 6 4.7 7 1.4 

Other 8 6.3 32 6.2 1

Based on data provided by AFMES for suicide decedents. Cause of death or injury categories based on established 

ICD-10 coding groups. 2

Type of firearm used based on DoDSER data for suicides identified by AFMES as having died by use of a firearm. 3

Category not represented in ICD-10 coding groups for cause of death or injury; data are provided only for suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. 4

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

81 
CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 26 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 128 514 

Any mental health diagnosis 

Yes 74 57.8 360 70.0 

Number of mental health diagnoses 

1 30 152 

2 18 103 

More than 2 26 105 

No 52 40.6 153 29.8 

Unknown 2 1.6 1 0.2 

History of any mood disorder 

Yes1 35 27.3 175 34.0 

Bipolar disorder 3 12 

Major depressive disorder 21 134 

Dysthymic disorder 4 4 

Other mood disorder 13 32 

No 88 68.8 328 63.8 

Unknown 5 3.9 11 2.1 

History of any anxiety disorder 

Yes1 31 24.2 158 30.7 

Post-traumatic stress 16 97 

Panic disorder 0 17 

Generalized anxiety disorder 8 37 

Acute stress disorder 1 6 

Other anxiety disorder 17 38 

No 92 71.9 347 67.5 

Unknown 5 3.9 9 1.8 

History of any personality disorder 

Yes 3 2.3 24 4.7 

No 120 93.8 482 93 .8 

Unknown 5 3.9 8 1.6 

History of any psychotic disorder 

Yes 1 0.8 5 1.0 

No 122 95.3 503 97.9 

Unknown 5 3.9 6 1.2 

Table continued on next page. 

82 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Table 26 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

History of adjustment disorder 

Yes 37 28.9 146 28.4 

No 87 68.0 361 70.2 

Unknown 4 3.1 7 1.4 

History of substance abuse 

Yes 35 27.3 151 29.4 

No 84 65 .6 356 69.3 

Unknown 9 7.0 7 1.4 

History of any sleep disorder 

Yes 29 22.7 84 16.3 

No 93 72.7 425 82.7 

Unknown 6 4.7 5 1.0 

History of traumatic brain injury 

Yes 9 7.0 46 8.9 

No 111 86.7 464 90.3 

Unknown 8 6.3 4 0.8 

Family history of mental illness 

Yes 20 15.6 156 30.4 

No 66 51.6 334 65.0 

Unknown 42 32.8 24 4.7 

Prior self-injury 

Yes 22 17.2 161 31.3 

Number of incidents 

One 11 73 

More than one 11 85 

Prior incident similar to current event 

Yes 5 77 

No 15 79 

Unknown 2 5 

No 92 71.9 348 67.7 

Unknown 14 10.9 5 1.0 

Table continued on next page. 

83 
CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 26 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Ever taken psychotropic medications 

Yes 43 33.6 200 38.9 

No 72 56.3 307 59.7 

Unknown 13 10.2 7 1.4 

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days 

Yes1 26 20.3 161 31.3 

Antidepressants 20 141 

Anxiolytics 8 69 

Anti manics 1 4 

Anticonvulsants 1 5 

Antipsychotics 2 14 

Sleep medications 17 85 

No 89 69.5 344 66.9 

Unknown 13 10.2 9 1.8 

Use of opioid medications, last 90 days 

Yes 4 3.1 20 3.9 

No 105 82.0 477 92.8 

Unknown 19 14.8 17 3.3 

Met criteria for polypharmacy 

Yes 8 6.3 55 10.7 

No 111 86.7 439 85.4 

Unknown 9 7.0 20 3.9 

Accessed health or social services, last 90 days 

Yes1 80 62.5 336 65.4 

Medical treatment facility 73 231 

Substance abuse services 8 56 

Family assistance Program 7 20 

Outpatient mental health 46 258 

Inpatient mental health 8 75 

No 46 35.9 178 34.6 

Unknown 2 1.6 0 0.0 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

84 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Table27 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 128 514 

Failed or failing relationship, last 90 days 

Yes1 53 41.4 213 41.4 

Intimate relationship 45 188 

Other relationship 16 67 

No 58 45.3 300 58.4 

Unknown 17 13.3 1 0.2 

Friend and family stressors, last 90 days 

Yes1 6 4.7 59 11.5 

Death of spouse or other family member 

(manner other than suicide) 4 25 

Death of friend (manner other than 

suicide) 0 25 

Serious illness of friend or family member 2 22 

No 102 79.7 450 87.5 

Unknown 20 15.6 5 1.0 

History of friend or family death by suicide 

Yes1 2 1.6 101 19.6 

Spouse 0 2 

Family member 0 31 

Friend 2 80 

No 113 88.3 411 80.0 

Unknown 13 10.2 2 0.4 

Administrative/legal problems, last 90 days 

Yes1 41 32.0 173 33.7 

Courts martial proceedings 2 9 

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment 12 57 

Administrative separation proceedings 9 54 

Away without leave/deserter status 6 13 

Medical evaluation board proceedings 7 39 

Civil legal proceedings 17 29 

Non-selection for promotion 2 16 

Under investigation 17 47 

No 77 60.2 339 66.0 

Unknown 10 7.8 2 0.4 

Table continued on next page. 

85 
CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 27 (cont.) Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and 

Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Excessive debt/bankruptcy, last 90 days 

Yes 10 7.8 34 6.6 

No 92 71.9 470 91.4 

Unknown 

Workplace difficulties, last 90 days 

26 20.3 10 1.9 

Yes1 24 18.8 200 38.9 

Job problems 17 133 

Supervisor/coworker issues 12 145 

Poor performance review 5 74 

Unit/workplace hazing 0 20 

No 87 68.0 313 60.9 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment victimization, last year 

17 13.3 1 0.2 

Yes1 2 1.6 69 13.4 

Physical abuse or assault 1 27 

Sexual abuse or assault2 1 13 

Sexual assault3 0 4 

Emotional abuse 1 45 

Sexual harassment 0 16 

No 109 85.2 440 85.6 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment perpetration, last year 

17 13.3 5 1.0 

Yes1 13 10.2 32 6.2 

Physical abuse or assault 8 13 

Sexual abuse or assault 5 12 

Emotional abuse 2 13 

Sexual harassment 2 2 

No 95 74.2 478 93 .0 

Unknown 20 15.6 4 0.8 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 2

Data based on response to a specific item in DoDSER. 3 Data provided by SAPRO on unrestricted reports of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. These data 

represent a subset, and are not inclusive of all sexual assault cases. For more information please visit: 

http://sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports 

86 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 5: U.S. ARMY 

Table 28 Deployment History1for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 128 514 

Ever deployed 

Yes 86 67.2 256 49.6 

Specific locations2 

Iraq 50 136 

Afghanistan 60 178 

Kuwait 71 189 

Number of deployments 

1 29 117 

2 32 64 

3 or more 25 74 

No 42 32.8 259 50.4 

Event occurred during deployment 

Yes 5 3.9 24 4.7 

Afghanistan 5 14 

Kuwait 0 5 

Other location 0 5 

No 123 96.1 490 95.3 

History of direct combat 

Yes2 24 18.8 125 24.3 

Combat resulting in casualties/wounded 13 88 

Wounded or injured in combat 2 27 

Witnessed a kill 11 92 

Saw bodies of other Service members 12 95 

Killed others in combat 8 55 

No 69 53.9 375 73.0 

Unknown 35 27.3 14 2.7 1

Deployment data, excluding history of direct combat, provided by the DMDC from the CTS. 2

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

87 
O

DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTER6 

U.S. MARINE CORPS 

88 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

DoDSER Result Summary: Marine Corps 

The DoDSER system collects standardized data on demographic, contextual, behavioral health, 

historical and risk-related factors for all identified suicides and suicide attempts that occur 

among both Active Component Service members and Service members in the Marine Corps 

Reserve who were in a duty status at the time of the event. 

Mortality and Suicide Attempt Incidence 

According to the AFMES, as of March 31, 2015, 34 suicides occurred among Marine Corps 

Active Component Service members and 1 suicide occurred among Service members in the 

Marine Corps Reserve while in a duty status at the time of death during CY 2014. ADoDSER 

report was submitted for all 35 suicides. These DoDSER reports were used in the generation of 

the data tables included in this section. 

There were 242 suicide attempt DoDSER reports submitted by the Marine Corps. These reports 

provided data on 237 unique Service members-232 (97.9%) with 1 reported attempt and 5 

(2.1 %) with 2 reported attempts. 

Demographics 

Demographic variables for all suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports are displayed in 

Table 29. 

For the Marine Corps, the most common demographic features for suicide DoDSER reports 

included these characteristics: 

• Male (n = 33, 94.3%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 29, 82.9%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 32, 91.4%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 27, 77.1 %) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 28, 80.0%) 

• Junior enlisted (El-E4, n = 18, 51.4%) 

• Married (n = 19, 54.3%) 

89 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

The most common demographic features for suicide attempt DoDSER reports included: 

• Male (n = 186, 76.9%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 194, 80.2%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 203, 83.9%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 212, 87.6%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 224, 92.6%) 

• Junior enlisted (El-E4, n = 198, 81.8%) 

• Never married (n = 127, 52.5%) 

The largest demographic differences between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

in the prevalence of females (23 .1 % for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 5. 7% for suicide 

DoDSER reports) and rank status (81.8% El-E4 for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 

51.4% for suicide DoDSER reports). 

Event Information 1 

Detailed descriptive statistics on the locations, contexts and methods of suicide and suicide 

attempts are presented in this section and in Table 30. These data describe the circumstances 

surrounding the suicide event 

itself and address both the 

antecedents and consequences 

of the event. 

Figure 10 depicts the 

proportion ofDoDSER 

reports-including both 

suicide-related deaths and 

suicide attempts- that 

identified the use of a firearm, 

hanging and drug/alcohol 

overdose over the past three 

years. 

DoDSER reports of suicide 

recorded more frequent use of

firearms and hanging than did 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

co 

C 0 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

Drug/Alcohol Firearm Hanging 

0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

0 

- I I -I 0 •• .1 I I 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Figure 10. Proportion of Marine Corps suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs that 

reported drug/alcohol use, firearm, and hanging as the method of injury, CY 2012-

2014. 

1 Please note that given the small number of suicides for both CY 2013 and CY 2014 in the Marine Corps, we did 

not engage in any formal statistical testing to compare the prevalence of determinants between the two years for 

suicide DoDSERs. 

90 
0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

"'1" 

0 

0 

Suicide 

II 

Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

"'1" 

0 

11 0 II II II 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Behavioral diagnosis Medications Prior self-injury 

DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

reports of suicide attempt. The majority of firearm use identified in DoDSER suicide reports 

were not military weapons (n = 21, 91.3% ofDoDSER suicide reports where a firearm was 

recorded as the mechanism of injury). Overall, the prevalence of the three injury mechanisms 

was consistent over time within suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports. 

Alcohol use was identified in 11 suicide DoDSER reports (31.4%) and in 100 suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (41.3%), regardless of whether it was the primary cause, used in conjunction 

with another method ( e.g., overdose/intentional drunk driving) or facilitated the use of another 

means. Drug use during the event was not commonly identified for suicide DoDSER reports (n = 

3, 8.6%), but it was reported in 127 suicide attempt DoDSER reports (52.5%). The data on 

alcohol and drug use for suicides was provided by toxicology reports from postmortem 

examinations from AFMES. The high proportion of "unknown" responses reflects inconclusive 

results, no toxicology examination or an inability to access a toxicology report from a civilian 

authority. 

Behavioral Health History 

Data on behavioral health variables are provided in Table 31. Figure 11 displays the proportion 

of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that indicated a history of any behavioral health 

diagnosis (ever), prior self-injury (ever) or use of psychotropic medications (within 90 days of 

the event) for CY 2012-CY 2014. The prevalence estimates for these three determinants 

appeared consistent over time for both suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports. There were 

no statistically significant 

differences for between CY 

2013 and CY 2014 on these 

three variables for suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. The 

prevalence of a behavioral 

health diagnosis was lower 

for suicide DoDSER reports 

compared to suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports in CY 2014 

(OR= 0.69, 95% CI= 0.32, 

1.4 7), however, the difference 

was not statistically 

significant. Because of small 

case numbers, we did not test 

the differences in the 

prevalence of prior self-injury 

or use of psychotropic 

Figure 11. Proportion of Marine Corps suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

that reported any behavioral health diagnosis ever, psychotropic medication use in 

the 90 days prior to the event, or prior self-injury ever, CY 2012-CY 2014. 

91 
Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

11 11 II. 

0 0 0 

0 0 co co 

0 0 

0 0 

0 0 

0 0 111 Ill 111 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Failed relationship Legal/Administrative Work 

CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

medications. The most common behavioral health diagnoses identified in suicide DoDSER 

reports included mood (n = 12, 34.3%) and substance abuse (n = 11, 31.4%) disorders. For 

suicide attempt DoDSER reports, the most common diagnoses identified were substance abuse 

(n = 88, 36.4%), mood (n = 61, 25.2%) and adjustment disorders (n = 56, 23.1%). 

Psychosocial Stressors 

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER report form pertain to information collected about 

relationships, family issues, legal or administrative problems, work and financial difficulties, and 

alleged abuse victimization or perpetration. Table 32 provides descriptive data for each of these 

factors. A total of 25 suicide DoDSER reports (71.4%) and 171 suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

(70.7%) identified at least one of these determinants. Figure 12 displays the proportion of suicide 

and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that reported relationship, administrative/legal, workplace 

and financial difficulties during the 90 days prior to the event. There was a statistically 

significant reduction in the prevalence of work difficulties from CY 2013 to CY 2014 in suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports (OR= 0.58, 95% CI= 0.38, 0.90). In CY 2014, both failing 

relationships (OR= 1.53, 95% CI= 0.65, 3.58) and administrative/legal problems (OR= 1.53, 

95% CI= 0.70, 3.33) were more common in suicide DoDSER reports as compared to suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports, 

however, neither difference 

was statistically significant. 

We did not statistically 

compare work difficulties 

because of a low number of 

suicide cases that identified 

this as a factor. 

In this report, DoDSER cases 

were matched against cases of 

sexual assault that had been 

collected through the DoD's 

option to make an 

Unrestricted Report of Sexual 

Assault. According to the 

SAPRO data, zero suicide 

Figure 12. Proportion of Marine Corps suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports 

that reported failed relationships, legal/administrative problems or workplace 

difficulties in the 90 days prior to the event. 

92 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

DoDSER reports and five suicide attempt DoDSER reports were associated with an unrestricted 

report of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. Table 32 provides the number of sexual 

assaults recorded via the DoDSER report form. 

Deployment 

A history of deployment was a factor in 57.1 % of suicide and 29.8% of suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. The prevalence of any deployment history was lower for CY 2014 compared to CY 2013 

for suicide attempt (OR= 0.49, 95% CI= 0.27, 0.89) DoDSER reports. For CY 2014, there was 

no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of deployment history between suicide 

and suicide attempt DoDSER reports (OR= 2.60, 95% CI= 0.83, 8.20). 

93 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 29 Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, Suicide Suicide Attempt 

CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 35 242 

Sex 

Male 33 94.3 186 76.9 

Female 2 5.7 56 23.1 

Age at event 

17-19 2 5.7 28 11.6 

20-24 14 40.0 151 62.4 

25-29 11 31.4 33 13.6 

30-34 8 22.9 17 7.0 

35-39 0 0.0 11 4.5 

40-44 0 0.0 2 0.8 

45-59 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 0 0.0 4 1.7 

Asian/Pacific Islander 0 0.0 6 2.5 

Black/ African American 1 2.9 35 14.5 

White/Caucasian 29 82.9 194 80.2 

Other/Unknown 5 14.3 3 1.2 

Hispanic ethnicity 

Yes 3 8.6 39 16.1 

No 32 91.4 203 83.9 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Education 

Some high school, did not graduate 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Alternative high school certification 1 2.9 7 2.9 

High school graduate 28 80.0 224 92.6 

Some college or technical school, no degree or certificate 0 0.0 1 0.4 

College degree of less than four years 2 5.7 4 1.7 

Four-year college degree 4 11.4 5 2.1 

Master's degree or greater 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Component 

Active 34 97.1 238 98.3 

Reserve 1 2.9 4 1.7 

National Guard 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Table continued on next page. 

94 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

Table 29 (cont.) Demographic and Service Characteristics1 

of Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine 

Corps, CY 2014 

Suicide 

No. % 

Suicide Attempt 

No. % 

Marital status 

Never married 15 42.9 127 52.5 

Married 19 54.3 105 43.4 

Separated 

Divorced 

0 

1 

0.0 

2.9 

0 

10 

0.0 

4.1 

Widowed 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet 0 0.0 0 0.0 

El-E4 18 51.4 198 81.8 

ES-E9 13 37.1 40 16.5 

Officer 4 11.4 4 1.7 

DoD occupational category 

Enlisted 

Infantry, gun crews, and seamanship specialists 12 34.3 61 25.2 

Electronic equipment repairers 

Communications and intelligence specialists 

2 

4 

5.7 

11.4 

16 

26 

6.6 

10.7 

Health care specialists 

Other technical and allied specialists 

0 

2 

0.0 

5.7 

0 

6 

0.0 

2.5 

Functional support and administration 

Electrical/mechanical equipment repairers 

3 

6 

8.6 

17.1 

42 

30 

17.4 

12.4 

Crafts workers 0 0.0 6 2.5 

Service and supply handlers 0 0.0 34 14.0 

Non-occupational 

Unknown 

2 

0 

5.7 

0.0 

13 

4 

5.4 

1.7 

Officer 

Tactical operations officers 1 2.9 2 0.8 

Intelligence officers 

Engineering and maintenance officers 

2 

0 

5.7 

0.0 

0 

1 

0.0 

0.4 

Scientists and professionals 

Health care officers 

0 

0 

0.0 

0.0 

0 

0 

0.0 

0.0 

Administrators 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Supply, procurement and allied officers 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Non-occupational 1 2.9 0 0.0 1 Demographic and Service characteristics provided by the DMDC. 

95 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 30 Event location, Event Method, and Event Context 

for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 35 242 

Event location country 

United States 30 85.7 219 90.5 

Iraq 1 2.9 0 0.0 

Afghanistan 1 2.9 3 1.2 

Kuwait 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Korea 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other Europe 0 0.0 0 0.0 

North America 1 2.9 0 0.0 

Japan 2 5.7 18 7.4 

Belgium 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Germany 0 0.0 0 0.0 

United Kingdom 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Event setting 

Own residence 17 48.6 76 31.4 

Barracks 6 17.1 122 50.4 

Residence of friend or family 2 5.7 14 5.8 

Work/jobsite 0 0.0 4 1.7 

Automobile 1 2.9 13 5.4 

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Hotel 1 2.9 2 0.8 

Recreational area 2 5.7 1 0.4 

Other 6 17.1 9 3.7 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Event method1 

Drugs/alcohol 1 2.9 143 59.1 

Hanging/asphyxiation 10 28.6 23 9.5 

Poisoning 1 2.9 8 3.3 

Firearm 23 65.7 20 8.3 

Military firearm2 2 1 

Non-military firearm2 21 19 

Firearm of unknown origin2 0 0 

Falling/ Jumping 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Sharp/blunt object3 36 14.9 

Other 0 0.0 7 2.9 

Pending/Unknown 0 0.0 3 1.2 

Table continued on next page. 

96 
Table 30 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context/or All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Alcohol use during event1 

Yes 11 31.4 100 41.3 

No 9 25.7 122 50.4 

Unknown 15 42.9 20 8.3 

Drug use during event1 

Yes4 3 8.6 127 52.5 

Illicit drug use 

Used, overdose 0 8 

Used, no overdose 0 4 

Prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 1 75 

Used, no overdose 1 11 

Non-prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 0 45 

Used, no overdose 1 9 

No 15 42.9 113 46.7 

Unknown 17 48.6 2 0.8 

Alcohol and drug use during event1 

Yes 2 5.7 45 18.6 

No 16 45.7 177 73.1 

Unknown 17 48.6 20 8.3 

Communicated potential for self-harm 

Yes 14 40.0 35 14.5 

Manner4 

Written 1 3 

Verbal 11 26 

Text 2 9 

Other 1 1 

Number of recipients 

One 11 25 

More than one 3 10 

DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

Table continued on next page. 

97 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

Table30 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context/or All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Recipients4 

Supervisor 1 2 

Chaplain 0 0 

Mental health staff 4 9 

Friend 3 13 

Spouse 8 13 

Family member (other than spouse) 1 7 

Other 1 4 

No 19 54.3 197 81.4 

Unknown 2 5.7 10 4.1 

Death-risk gambling 

Yes 0 0.0 2 0.8 

No 31 88.6 239 98.8 

Unknown 4 11.4 1 0.4 

Planned/premeditated 

Yes 10 28.6 66 27.3 

No 10 28.6 151 62.4 

Unknown 15 42.9 25 10.3 

Event occurred where it could be observed by others 

Yes 6 17.1 124 51.2 

No 27 77.1 103 42.6 

Unknown 2 5.7 15 6.2 

Suicide note left 

Yes 7 20.0 22 9.1 

No 22 62.9 216 89.3 

Unknown 6 17.1 4 1.7 

Residence at time of event 

Barracks 9 25.7 138 57.0 

Bachelor Enlisted Quarters/Bachelor Officer Quarters 2 5.7 5 2.1 

On-base family housing 1 2.9 12 5.0 

Off-base 21 60.0 74 30.6 

Ship 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other 2 5.7 11 4.5 

Unknown 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Table continued on next page. 

98 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

Table 30 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context/or All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status residence 

Not married 16 45.7 137 56.6 

Married, resides with spouse 10 28.6 49 20.2 

Married, not living together, relationship issues 7 20.0 22 9.1 

Married, not living together, other reasons 2 5.7 15 6.2 

Married, unknown if resides with spouse 0 0.0 19 7.9 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Reside alone at time of event 

Yes 9 25 .7 62 25 .6 

No 26 74.3 163 67.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 17 7.0 

Has and resides with child 

Yes, live with Service member 6 17.1 28 11.6 

Yes, do not live with Service member 6 17.1 24 9.9 

Does not have children 22 62.9 185 76.4 

Unknown 1 2.9 5 2.1 

Gun in home/immediate environment 

Yes 24 68.6 30 12.4 

No 7 20.0 193 79.8 

Unknown 4 11.4 19 7.9 

Duty environment 

Garrison/permanent command 22 62.9 203 83 .9 

Leave 3 8.6 7 2.9 

TDY 1 2.9 6 2.5 

Deployed 3 8.6 4 1.7 

Training 2 5.7 15 6.2 

Psychiatric hospitalization 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Medical hold 2 5.7 9 3.7 

Other 2 5.7 13 5.4 1

Based on data provided by AFMES for suicide decedents. Cause of death or injury categories based on established 

ICD-10 coding groups. 2

Type of firearm used based on DoDSER data for suicides identified by AFMES as having died by use of a firearm. 3

Category not represented in ICD-10 coding groups for cause of death or injury; data are provided only for suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. 4

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

99 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 31 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, Suicide Suicide Attempt 

CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 35 242 

Any mental health diagnosis 

Yes 17 48.6 150 62.0 

Number of mental health diagnoses 

1 3 65 

2 6 52 

More than 2 9 33 

No 18 51.4 92 38.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

History of any mood disorder 

Yes1 12 34.3 61 25 .2 

Bipolar disorder 1 7 

Major depressive disorder 7 30 

Dysthymic disorder 2 6 

Other mood disorder 5 23 

No 23 65.7 180 74.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.4 

History of any anxiety disorder 

Yes1 8 22.9 42 17.4 

Post-traumatic stress 5 23 

Panic disorder 0 3 

Generalized anxiety disorder 3 7 

Acute stress disorder 1 1 

Other anxiety disorder 1 17 

No 27 77.1 199 82.2 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.4 

History of any personality disorder 

Yes 1 2.9 16 6.6 

No 34 97.1 223 92.1 

Unknown 0 0.0 3 1.2 

History of any psychotic disorder 

Yes 0 0.0 2 0.8 

No 35 100.0 240 99.2 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Table continued on next page. 

100 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

Table 31 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for 

All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

History of adjustment disorder 

Yes 9 25.7 56 23.1 

No 25 71.4 182 75.2 

Unknown 1 2.9 4 1.7 

History of substance abuse 

Yes 11 31.4 85 37.4 

No 21 60.0 137 60.4 

Unknown 3 8.6 5 2.2 

History of any sleep disorder 

Yes 5 14.3 23 9.5 

No 30 85.7 217 89.7 

Unknown 0 0.0 2 0.8 

History of traumatic brain injury 

Yes 3 8.6 10 4.1 

No 31 88.6 230 95.0 

Unknown 1 2.9 2 0.8 

Family history of mental illness 

Yes 5 14.3 60 24.8 

No 15 42.9 152 62.8 

Unknown 15 42.9 30 12.4 

Prior self-injury 

Yes 4 11.4 68 28.1 

Number of incidents 

One 4 40 

More than one 0 28 

Prior incident similar to current event 

Yes 2 39 

No 2 24 

Unknown 0 5 

No 28 80.0 166 68.6 

Unknown 3 8.6 8 3.3 

Table continued on next page. 

101 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 31 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for 

All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Ever taken psychotropic medications 

Yes 8 22.9 90 37.2 

No 24 68.6 142 58.7 

Unknown 3 8.6 10 4.1 

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days 

Yes1 6 17.1 68 28.1 

Antidepressants 4 62 

Anxiolytics 2 22 

Anti manics 0 4 

Anticonvulsants 0 7 

Antipsychotics 0 9 

Sleep medications 2 34 

No 26 74.3 164 67.8 

Unknown 3 8.6 10 4.1 

Use of opioid medications, last 90 days 

Yes 0 0.0 7 2.9 

No 28 80.0 225 93.0 

Unknown 7 20.0 10 4.1 

Met criteria for polypharmacy 

Yes 0 0.0 18 7.4 

No 33 94.3 212 87.6 

Unknown 2 5.7 12 5.0 

Accessed health or social services, last 90 days 

Yes1 25 71.4 150 62.0 

Medical treatment facility 20 112 

Substance abuse services 4 27 

Family assistance Program 5 6 

Outpatient mental health 11 111 

Inpatient mental health 1 26 

No 10 28.6 92 38.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

102 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

Table 32 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 35 242 

Failed or failing relationship, last 90 days 

Yes1 14 40.0 92 38.0 

Intimate relationship 14 87 

Other relationship 1 10 

No 17 48.6 149 61.6 

Unknown 4 11.4 1 0.4 

Friend and family stressors, last 90 days 

Yes1 0 0.0 15 10.3 

Death of spouse or other family member 

(manner other than suicide) 0 6 

Death of friend (manner other than 

suicide) 0 1 

Serious illness of friend or family member 0 8 

No 34 97.1 222 88.8 

Unknown 1 2.9 5 2.1 

History of friend or family death by suicide 

Yes1 6 17.1 25 10.3 

Spouse 0 0 

Family member 3 11 

Friend 3 17 

No 29 82.9 215 88.8 

Unknown 0 0.0 2 0.8 

Administrative/legal problems, last 90 days 

Yes1 15 42.9 78 32.2 

Courts martial proceedings 0 3 

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment 2 31 

Administrative separation proceedings 0 24 

Away without leave/deserter status 3 8 

Medical evaluation board proceedings 2 18 

Civil legal proceedings 5 15 

Non-selection for promotion 1 4 

Under investigation 6 14 

No 20 57.1 163 67.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.4 

Table continued on next page. 

103 
CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 32 (cont.) Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and 

Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Excessive debt/bankruptcy, last 90 days 

Yes 1 2.9 15 6.2 

No 27 77.1 213 88.0 

Unknown 

Workplace difficulties, last 90 days 

7 20.0 14 5.8 

Yes1 5 14.3 61 25.2 

Job problems 3 48 

Supervisor/coworker issues 2 32 

Poor performance review 2 13 

Unit/workplace hazing 0 3 

No 30 85.7 174 71.9 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment victimization, last year 

0 0.0 7 2.9 

Yes1 1 2.9 15 6.2 

Physical abuse or assault 1 10 

Sexual abuse or assault2 0 6 

Sexual assault3 0 5 

Emotional abuse 0 9 

Sexual harassment 0 4 

No 31 88.6 219 90.5 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment perpetration, last year 

3 8.6 8 3.3 

Yes1 7 20.0 6 2.5 

Physical abuse or assault 6 4 

Sexual abuse or assault 3 2 

Emotional abuse 3 1 

Sexual harassment 0 3 

No 27 77.1 223 92.1 

Unknown 1 2.9 13 5.4 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 2

Data based on response to a specific item in DoDSER. 3

Data provided by SAPRO on unrestricted reports of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. These data 

represent a subset, and are not inclusive of all sexual assault cases. For more information please visit: 

http://sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports 

104 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 6: U.S. MARINE CORPS 

Table 33 Deployment History1 for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 35 242 

Ever deployed 

Yes 20 57.1 72 29.8 

Specific locations2 

Iraq 6 28 

Afghanistan 17 60 

Kuwait 9 26 

Number of deployments 

1 8 42 

2 4 20 

3 or more 8 10 

No 15 42.9 170 70.2 

Event occurred during deployment 

Yes 1 2.9 3 1.2 

Afghanistan 1 3 

Kuwait 0 0 

Other location 0 0 

No 34 97.1 239 98.8 

History of direct combat 

Yes2 14 40.0 28 11.6 

Combat resulting in casualties/wounded 11 16 

Wounded or injured in combat 2 7 

Witnessed a kill 11 18 

Saw bodies of other Service members 12 14 

Killed others in combat 7 10 

No 21 60.0 192 79.3 

Unknown 0 10.0 22 9.1 

Deployment data, excluding history of direct combat, provided by the DMDC from the CTS. 2

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

105 
O

DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTER 7 

U.S. NAVY 

106 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

DoDSER Results Summary: Navy 

The DoDSER system collects standardized data on demographic, contextual, behavioral health, 

historical and risk-related factors for all identified suicides and suicide attempts that occur 

among both Active Component Service members and Service members in the Navy Reserve who 

were in a duty status at the time of the event. 

Mortality and Suicide Attempt Incidence 

According to the AFMES, as of March 31, 2015, 53 suicides occurred among Navy Active 

Component Service members and 5 occurred among Service members in the Navy Reserve 

while in a duty status at the time of death during CY 2014. ADoDSER report was submitted for 

all 58 suicides. These DoDSER reports were used in the generation of the data tables included in 

this section. 

There were 123 suicide attempt DoDSER reports submitted by the Navy. These reports provided 

data on 122 unique Service members-121 (99.2%) with 1 reported attempt and 1 (0.8%) with 2 

reported attempts. 

Demographics 

Demographic variables for all suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports are displayed in 

Table 34. 

The most common demographic features for Navy suicide DoDSER reports included these 

characteristics: 

• Male (n = 57, 98.3%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 41, 70.7%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 46, 79.3%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 34, 58.6%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 38, 65.5%) 

• Enlisted (n = 47, 81.0%) 

• Never married (n = 32, 55.2%) 

107 
Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 0 0 0 

0 0 

co 

0 0 

0 0 

0 

0 - I _I _. 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 -• 

Year 

Drug/Alcohol Firearm Hanging 

CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

The most common demographic features for suicide attempt DoDSER reports included: 

• Male (n = 79, 64.2%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 72, 58.5%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 109, 88.6%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 100, 81.3%) 

• A high-school graduate level of education (n = 106, 86.2%) 

• Junior enlisted (El-E4, n = 80, 65.0%) 

• Approximately evenly distributed between never married (n = 62, 50.4%) and married (n 

= 58, 47.2%) 

The largest demographic differences between suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports were 

in the prevalence of females (35.8% for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 1.7% for suicide 

DoDSER reports) and rank status (65.0% El-E4 for suicide attempt DoDSER reports versus 

37.9% for suicide DoDSER reports). 

Event Information2 

Detailed descriptive statistics 

on the locations, contexts and 

methods of suicide and 

suicide attempts are presented 

in this section and in Table 

35. These data describe the 

circumstances surrounding 

the suicide event itself and 

address both the antecedents 

and consequences of the 

event. 

Figure 13 depicts the 

proportion ofDoDSER 

reports-including both 

Figure 13. Proportion of Navy suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs that reported 

drug/alcohol use, firearm, and hanging as the method of injury, CY 2012-2014. 

2 Please note that given the small number of suicides for both CY 2013 and CY 2014 in the Navy, we did not engage 

in any formal statistical testing to compare the prevalence of determinants between the two years for suicide 

DoDSERs. 

108 
0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 I L. 

0 

0 II II II 

2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Behavioral diagnosis Medications Prior self-injury 

DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

suicide-related deaths and suicide attempts-that identified the use of a firearm, hanging and 

drug/alcohol overdose over the past three years. DoDSER suicide reports identified firearm use 

and hanging more frequently than reports of suicide attempt. The majority of firearm use 

identified in DoDSER suicide reports did not involve military weapons (n = 27, 87.1 % of 

DoDSER suicide reports where firearm was identified as the mechanism of injury). 

Alcohol use was identified in 22 suicide DoDSER reports (37.9%) and in 41 suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (33 .3%), regardless of whether it was the primary cause, used in conjunction 

with another method ( e.g., overdose/intentional drunk driving) or facilitated the use of another 

means. Drug use during the event was not commonly identified for suicide DoDSER reports (n = 

15, 25 .9%), but it was reported in 55 suicide attempt DoDSER reports (44.7%). The data on 

alcohol and drug use for suicides was provided by toxicology reports from postmortem 

examinations from AFMES. The high proportion of "unknown" responses reflects inconclusive 

results, no toxicology examination or an inability to access a toxicology report from a civilian 

authority. 

Behavioral Health History 

Data on behavioral health variables are provided in Table 36. Figure 14 displays the proportion 

of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that indicated a history of any behavioral health 

diagnosis (ever), prior self-injury (ever) or use of psychotropic medications (within 90 days of 

event) for CY 2012-CY 2014. 

There were no statistically 

significant differences 

between CY 2013 and CY 

2014 for suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports on these 

three variables. The 

prevalence of a behavioral 

health diagnosis history was 

lower for suicide DoDSER 

reports compared to suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports in 

CY 2014 (OR = 0.29, 95% CI 

= 0.13, 0.63). The prevalence 

estimates of a history of prior 

self-injury or use of 

psychotropic medications 

109 

Figure 14. Proportion of Navy suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported any behavioral health diagnosis ever, psychotropic medication use in the 90 

days prior to the event, or prior self-injury ever, CY 2012-CY 2014. 
l

0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Suicide 

111 111 

0 

0 

0 

co 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2012 2013 2014 

Year 

Suicide Attempt 

111 111 Il 

2012 2013 2014 

Failed relationship Legal/Administrative Work 

CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

were not compared because of small numbers of suicide DoDSER reports that identified these 

factors. The most common behavioral health diagnoses identified in suicide DoDSER reports 

included mood (n= 10, 17.2%), adjustment (n = 8, 13.8%) and substance abuse (n = 8, 13.8%) 

disorders. For suicide attempt DoDSER reports, the most common diagnoses identified were 

mood (n = 44, 35.8%), substance abuse (n = 30, 24.4%) and anxiety disorders (n = 27, 22.0%). 

Psychosocial Stressors 

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER report form pertain to information collected about 

relationships, family issues, legal or administrative problems, work and financial difficulties, and 

alleged abuse victimization or perpetration. Table 37 provides descriptive data for each of these 

factors. In CY 2014, 41 suicide DoDSER reports (70.7%) and 91 suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports (74.0%) identified at least one of these factors. Figure 15 displays the proportion of 

suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that reported relationship, administrative/legal, 

workplace and financial difficulties during the 90 days prior to the event. There was a decrease in 

the prevalence of failed or failing relationships from CY 2013 to CY 2014 in suicide attempt 

DoDSER reports (OR= 0.53, 95% CI= 0.28, 1.00). There were no statistically significant 

differences for administrative/legal or work problems. In CY 2014, the prevalence of workplace 

difficulties was lower for suicide DoDSER reports as compared to suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports (OR= 0.29, 95% CI= 0.12, 0.69). 

In this report, DoDSER cases 

were matched against cases of 

sexual assault that had been 

collected through the DoD's 

option to make an 

Unrestricted Report of Sexual 

Assault. According to the 

SAPRO data, zero suicide 

DoDSER reports and seven 

suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports were associated with 

an unrestricted report of 

sexual assault during the year 

prior to the event. Table 37 

provides the number of sexual 

assaults recorded via the 

DoDSER report form . 

Figure 15. Proportion of Navy suicide and suicide attempt DoDSER reports that 

reported failed relationships, legal/administrative problems or workplace difficulties 

in the 90 days prior to the event. 

110 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Deployment 

A history of deployment was a factor in 29.3% of suicide and 15.4% of suicide attempt DoDSER 

reports. The prevalence of any deployment history was lower for CY 2014 compared to CY 2013 

suicide attempts (OR= 0.18, 95% CI= 0.08, 0.40) DoDSER reports. For CY 2014, there was no 

statistically significant difference in the prevalence of deployment history between suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSER reports (OR= 1.23, 95% CI= 0.47, 3.20). 

111 
CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 34 Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 58 123 

Sex 

Male 57 98.3 79 64.2 

Female 1 1.7 44 35.8 

Age at event 

17-19 0 0.0 8 6.5 

20-24 19 32.8 61 49.6 

25-29 15 25.9 31 25.2 

30-34 11 19.0 11 8.9 

35-39 10 17.2 5 4.1 

40-44 2 3.4 7 5.7 

45-59 1 1.7 0 0.0 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 2 3.4 6 4.9 

Asian/Pacific Islander 3 5.2 5 4.1 

Black/ African American 5 8.6 27 22.0 

White/Caucasian 41 70.7 72 58.5 

Other/Unknown 7 12.1 13 10.6 

Hispanic ethnicity 

Yes 10 17.2 13 10.6 

No 46 79.3 109 88.6 

Unknown 2 3.4 1 0.8 

Education 

Some high school, did not graduate 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Alternative high school certification 5 8.6 6 4.9 

High school graduate 38 65.5 106 86.2 

Some college or technical school, no degree or certificate 0 0.0 1 0.8 

College degree of less than four years 3 5.2 3 2.4 

Four-year college degree 8 13.8 4 3.3 

Master's degree or greater 1 1.7 3 2.4 

Unknown 3 5.2 0 0.0 

Component 

Active 53 91.4 122 99.2 

Reserve 5 8.6 1 0.8 

National Guard 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Table continued on next page. 

112 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Table 34 (cont.) Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status 

Never married 32 55.2 62 50.4 

Married 24 41.4 58 47.2 

Separated 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Divorced 2 3.4 3 2.4 

Widowed 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Rank/grade 

Cadet 0 0.0 0 0.0 

El-E4 22 37.9 80 65.0 

ES-E9 25 43.1 42 34.1 

Officer 11 19.0 1 0.8 

DoD occupational category 

Enlisted 

Infantry, gun crews, and seamanship specialists 5 8.6 10 8.1 

Electronic equipment repairers 7 12.1 16 13.0 

Communications and intelligence specialists 6 10.3 7 5.7 

Health care specialists 3 5.2 30 24.4 

Other technical and allied specialists 1 1.7 1 0.8 

Functional support and administration 2 3.4 11 8.9 

Electrical/mechanical equipment repairers 14 24.1 24 19.5 

Crafts workers 3 5.2 3 2.4 

Service and supply handlers 6 10.3 15 12.2 

Non-occupational 0 0.0 4 3.3 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.8 

Officer 

Tactical operations officers 9 15.5 0 0.0 

Intelligence officers 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Engineering and maintenance officers 1 1.7 0 0.0 

Scientists and professionals 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Health care officers 0 0.0 1 0.8 

Administrators 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Supply, procurement and allied officers 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Non-occupational 1 1.7 0 0.0 1 Demographic and Service characteristics provided by the DMDC 

113 
CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 35 Event location, Event Method, and Event Context 

for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, Suicide Suicide Attempt 

CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 58 123 

Event location country 

United States 51 87.9 113 91.9 

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Afghanistan 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Kuwait 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Korea 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other Europe 0 0.0 1 0.8 

North America 0 0.0 1 0.8 

Japan 3 5.2 3 2.4 

Belgium 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Germany 1 1.7 0 0.0 

United Kingdom 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Other 3 5.2 4 3.3 

Event setting 

Own residence 25 43.1 59 48.0 

Barracks 10 17.2 39 31.7 

Residence of friend or family 4 6.9 6 4.9 

Work/jobsite 5 8.6 4 3.3 

Automobile 5 8.6 10 8.1 

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Hotel 1 1.7 0 0.0 

Recreational area 3 5.2 1 0.8 

Other 5 8.6 3 2.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.8 

Event method1 

Drugs/alcohol 1 1.7 70 56.9 

Hanging/asphyxiation 20 34.5 14 11.4 

Poisoning 0 0.0 2 1.6 

Firearm 31 53.4 4 3.3 

Military firearm2 4 0 

Non-military firearm2 27 4 

Firearm of unknown origin2 0 0 

Falling/ Jumping 6 10.3 0 0.0 

Sharp/blunt object3 20 16.3 

Other 0 0.0 10 8.1 

Pending/Unknown 0 0.0 3 2.4 

Table continued on next page. 

114 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Table 35 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Alcohol use during event1 

Yes 22 37.9 41 33.3 

No 28 48.3 78 63.4 

Unknown 8 13.8 4 3.3 

Drug use during event1 

Yes4 15 25.9 55 44.7 

Illicit drug use 

Used, overdose 0 8 

Used, no overdose 1 0 

Prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 0 30 

Used, no overdose 4 3 

Non-prescription drug use 

Used, overdose 1 26 

Used, no overdose 10 3 

No 25 43.1 62 50.4 

Unknown 18 31.0 6 4.9 

Alcohol and drug use during event1 

Yes 7 12.1 18 14.6 

No 33 56.9 99 80.5 

Unknown 18 31.0 6 4.9 

Communicated potential for self-harm 

Yes 17 29.3 24 20.9 

Manner4 

Written 2 1 

Verbal 13 14 

Text 5 9 

Other 1 2 

Number of recipients 

One 14 20 

More than one 3 5 

Table continued on next page. 

115 
CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 35 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Recipients4 

Supervisor 2 5 

Chaplain 1 1 

Mental health staff 2 3 

Friend 3 9 

Spouse 7 11 

Family member (other than spouse) 5 0 

Other 2 1 

No 40 69.0 88 71.5 

Unknown 1 1.7 10 8.1 

Death-risk gambling 

Yes 0 0.0 0 0.0 

No 57 98.3 122 99.2 

Unknown 1 1.7 1 0.8 

Planned/premeditated 

Yes 30 51.7 30 24.4 

No 19 32.8 79 64.2 

Unknown 9 15.5 14 11.4 

Event occurred where it could be observed by others 

Yes 8 13.8 52 42.3 

No 49 84.5 64 52.0 

Unknown 1 1.7 7 5.7 

Suicide note left 

Yes 18 31.0 7 5.7 

No 38 65.5 109 88.6 

Unknown 2 3.4 7 5.7 

Residence at time of event 

Barracks 8 13.8 33 26.8 

Bachelor Enlisted Quarters/Bachelor Officer Quarters 3 5.2 10 8.1 

On-base family housing 2 3.4 3 2.4 

Off-base 37 63 .8 60 48.8 

Ship 5 8.6 8 6.5 

Other 2 3.4 4 3.3 

Unknown 1 1.7 5 4.1 

Table continued on next page. 

116 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Table 35 (cont.) Event location, Event Method, and Event 

Context for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Marital status residence 

Not married 34 58.6 65 52.8 

Married, resides with spouse 11 19.0 23 18.7 

Married, not living together, relationship issues 7 12.1 8 6.5 

Married, not living together, other reasons 4 6.9 13 10.6 

Married, unknown if resides with spouse 2 3.4 14 11.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Reside alone at time of event 

Yes 21 36.2 47 38.2 

No 36 62.1 71 57.7 

Unknown 1 1.7 5 4.1 

Has and resides with child 

Yes, live with Service member 10 17.2 12 9.8 

Yes, do not live with Service member 13 22.4 14 11.4 

Does not have children 35 60.3 97 78.9 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Gun in home/immediate environment 

Yes 34 58.6 10 8.1 

No 22 37.9 105 85.4 

Unknown 2 3.4 8 6.5 

Duty environment 

Garrison/permanent command 39 67.2 98 79.7 

Leave 5 8.6 3 2.4 

TDY 1 1.7 2 1.6 

Deployed 5 8.6 3 2.4 

Training 6 10.3 9 7.3 

Psychiatric hospitalization 0 0.0 1 0.8 

Medical hold 3 5.2 10 8.1 

Other 5 8.6 7 5.7 1

Based on data provided by AFMES for suicide decedents. Cause of death or injury categories based on established 

ICD-10 coding groups. 2

Type of firearm used based on DoDSER data for suicides identified by AFMES as having died by use of a firearm. 3

Category not represented in ICD-10 coding groups for cause of death or injury; data are provided only for suicide 

attempt DoDSER reports. 4

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

117 
CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 36 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All 

Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY Suicide Suicide Attempt 

2014 No. % No. % 

Total 58 123 

Any mental health diagnosis 

Yes 20 34.5 75 61.0 

Number of mental health diagnoses 

1 9 35 

2 6 18 

More than 2 5 22 

No 38 65.5 48 39.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 

History of any mood disorder 

Yes1 10 17.2 44 35 .8 

Bipolar disorder 0 8 

Major depressive disorder 5 25 

Dysthymic disorder 1 4 

Other mood disorder 5 11 

No 48 82.8 76 61.8 

Unknown 0 0.0 3 2.4 

History of any anxiety disorder 

Yes1 7 12.1 27 22.0 

Post-traumatic stress 1 9 

Panic disorder 1 0 

Generalized anxiety disorder 4 5 

Acute stress disorder 0 2 

Other anxiety disorder 2 8 

No 49 84.5 94 76.4 

Unknown 2 3.4 2 1.6 

History of any personality disorder 

Yes 2 3.4 12 9.8 

No 56 96.6 110 89.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.8 

History of any psychotic disorder 

Yes 1 1.7 1 0.8 

No 57 98.3 121 98.4 

Unknown 0 0.0 1 0.8 

Table continued on next page. 

118 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Table 36 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for 

All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY Suicide Suicide Attempt 

2014 No. % No. % 

History of adjustment disorder 

Yes 8 13.8 24 19.5 

No 49 84.5 97 78.9 

Unknown 1 1.7 2 1.6 

History of substance abuse 

Yes 8 13.8 30 24.4 

No 49 84.5 88 71.5 

Unknown 1 1.7 5 4.1 

History of any sleep disorder 

Yes 3 5.2 7 5.7 

No 55 94.8 114 92.7 

Unknown 0 0.0 2 1.6 

History of traumatic brain injury 

Yes 1 1.7 3 2.4 

No 55 94.8 120 97.6 

Unknown 2 3.4 0 0.0 

Family history of mental illness 

Yes 5 8.6 43 35.0 

No 29 50.0 62 50.4 

Unknown 24 41.4 18 14.6 

Prior self-injury 

Yes 4 6.9 44 35.8 

Number of incidents 

One 2 28 

More than one 2 16 

Prior incident similar to current event 

Yes 3 28 

No 1 13 

Unknown 0 3 

No 53 91.4 76 61.8 

Unknown 1 1.7 3 2.4 

Table continued on next page. 

119 
CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 36 (cont.) Medical and Behavioral Health History for 

All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY Suicide Suicide Attempt 

2014 No. % No. % 

Ever taken psychotropic medications 

Yes 9 15.5 51 41.5 

No 48 82.8 69 56.1 

Unknown 1 1.7 3 2.4 

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days 

Yes1 7 12.1 38 30.9 

Antidepressants 5 31 

Anxiolytics 4 14 

Anti manics 0 4 

Anticonvulsants 2 2 

Antipsychotics 3 4 

Sleep medications 3 20 

No 50 86.2 82 66.7 

Unknown 1 1.7 3 2.4 

Use of opioid medications, last 90 days 

Yes 1 1.7 5 4.1 

No 53 91.4 110 89.4 

Unknown 4 6.9 8 6.5 

Met criteria for polypharmacy 

Yes 2 3.4 5 4.1 

No 55 94.8 108 87.8 

Unknown 1 1.7 10 8.1 

Accessed health or social services, last 90 days 

Yes1 24 41.4 69 56.1 

Medical treatment facility 22 52 

Substance abuse services 1 6 

Family assistance Program 2 6 

Outpatient mental health 9 51 

Inpatient mental health 3 17 

No 34 58.6 54 43.9 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

120 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Table 37 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 58 123 

Failed or failing relationship, last 90 days 

Yes1 25 43.1 44 35.8 

Intimate relationship 21 43 

Other relationship 8 7 

No 32 55.2 76 61.8 

Unknown 1 1.7 3 2.4 

Friend and family stressors, last 90 days 

Yes1 1 1.7 11 8.9 

Death of spouse or other family member 

(manner other than suicide) 0 4 

Death of friend (manner other than 

suicide) 0 2 

Serious illness of friend or family member 1 7 

No 55 94.8 105 85.4 

Unknown 2 3.4 7 5.7 

History of friend or family death by suicide 

Yes1 3 5.2 19 15.4 

Spouse 0 0 

Family member 2 11 

Friend 2 11 

No 55 94.8 101 82.1 

Unknown 0 0.0 3 2.4 

Administrative/legal problems, last 90 days 

Yes1 19 32.8 

Courts martial proceedings 0 38 30.9 

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment 4 2 

Administrative separation proceedings 4 11 

Away without leave/deserter status 5 8 

Medical evaluation board proceedings 1 5 

Civil legal proceedings 8 9 

Non-selection for promotion 3 3 

Under investigation 9 4 

No 39 67.2 13 

Unknown 0 0.0 83 67.5 

Table continued on next page. 

121 
CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 37 (cont.) Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and 

Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 

Suicide Suicide Attempt 

No. % No. % 

Excessive debt/bankruptcy, last 90 days 

Yes 4 6.9 8 6.5 

No 51 87.9 98 79.7 

Unknown 

Workplace difficulties, last 90 days 

3 5.2 17 13.8 

Yes1 10 17.2 47 38.2 

Job problems 10 42 

Supervisor/coworker issues 4 26 

Poor performance review 3 8 

Unit/workplace hazing 0 1 

No 48 82.8 69 56.1 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment victimization, last year 

0 0.0 7 5.7 

Yes1 5 8.6 12 9.8 

Physical abuse or assault 0 6 

Sexual abuse or assault2 0 5 

Sexual assault3 0 7 

Emotional abuse 5 6 

Sexual harassment 0 2 

No 52 89.7 104 84.6 

Unknown 

Abuse, assault, or harassment perpetration, last year 

1 1.7 7 5.7 

Yes1 2 3.4 5 4.1 

Physical abuse or assault 2 5 

Sexual abuse or assault 0 0 

Emotional abuse 2 0 

Sexual harassment 0 0 

No 56 96.6 109 88.6 

Unknown 0 0.0 9 7.3 1

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 2

Data based on response to a specific item in DoDSER. 3 Data provided by SAPRO on umestricted reports of sexual assault during the year prior to the event. These data 

represent a subset, and are not inclusive of all sexual assault cases. For more information please visit: 

http://sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports 

122 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 7: U.S. NAVY 

Table 38 Deployment history1 for All Suicide and Suicide Suicide Suicide Attempt 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 No. % No. % 

Total 58 123 

Ever deployed 

Yes 17 29.3 19 15.4 

Specific locations2 

Iraq 4 2 

Afghanistan 7 9 

Kuwait 7 8 

Number of deployments 

1 8 12 

2 5 3 

3 or more 4 4 

No 41 70.7 104 84.6 

Event occurred during deployment 

Yes 2 3.4 1 0.8 

Afghanistan 0 1 

Kuwait 0 0 

Other location 2 0 

No 56 96.6 122 99.2 

History of direct combat 

Yes2 2 3.4 4 3.3 

Combat resulting in casualties/wounded 1 2 

Wounded or injured in combat 1 0 

Witnessed a kill 2 2 

Saw bodies of other Service members 2 2 

Killed others in combat 1 0 

No 54 93.1 116 94.3 

Unknown 2 3.4 3 2.4 1

Deployment data, excluding history of direct combat, provided by the DMDC from the CTS. 2

Response subcategories are not mutually exclusive. 

123 
DoDSER CY 2014 

CHAPTERS 

SELECTED RESERVE 

124 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 8: SELECTED RESERVE 

DoDSER Results Summary: Selected Reserve 

The DoDSER system collects data on demographic, contextual, behavioral health, historical, and 

risk factors for all identified suicides and suicide attempts that occur among Active Component 

Service members and Reserve Component Service members in a duty status, and can be broken 

down by Service and component. 

For the first time this year, the DoDSER Annual Report also contains information on suiciderelated deaths among the sub-population of the SELRES who were not in a duty status at the 

time of their death. 

Data on demographic variables were obtained from the DMDC after incidences of suicide were 

provided by the Services to AFMES. This information was pulled from extant data in enterprise 

systems rather than specifically collected by an individual as part of a comprehensive reporting 

system. 

Over the course of CY 2014, 148 deaths due to suicide were recorded among Service members in 

the Reserves and National Guard who were not in a duty status at the time of death. This 

included 127 individuals whose manner of death was confirmed as suicide by March 31, 2015, 

according to Service-identified data that was compiled by the AFMES, and 21 deaths with a 

pending determination or later confirmation date. 

Demographics 

Demographic data for all suicides that occurred among Service members in the Reserves and 

National Guard who were not in a duty status at the time of death are listed in Table 39. The 

demographic characteristics of suicides in this population are similar to those observed for 

Active Component suicides. The most common characteristics of suicides in this population 

were: 

• Male (n = 139, 93.9%) 

• White/Caucasian racial identity (n = 119, 80.4%) 

• Non-Hispanic ethnicity (n = 133, 89.9%) 

• Less than 30 years of age (n = 100, 67.6%) 

• Had obtained a high-school graduate level of education (n = 90, 60.8%) 

• Junior enlisted (n = 92, 62.2%) 

• Never married (n = 98, 66.2%) 

125 
CHAPTER 8: SELECTED RESERVE DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 39 Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicides that 

Occurred among Service Members in the SELRES while not in a Duty Suicide 

Status, CY 2014 No. % 

Total 148 

Sex 

Male 139 93.9 

Female 9 6.1 

Age at event 

17-19 11 7.4 

20-24 59 39.9 

25-29 30 20.3 

30-34 20 13.5 

35-39 11 7.4 

40-44 4 2.7 

45-59 13 8.8 

Race 

American Indian/ Alaska Native 4 2.7 

Asian/Pacific Islander 5 3.4 

Black/ African American 16 10.8 

White/Caucasian 119 80.4 

Other/Unknown 4 2.7 

Hispanic ethnicity 

Yes 12 8.1 

No 133 89.9 

Unknown 3 2.0 

Education 

Some high school, did not graduate 4 2.7 

Alternative high school certification 11 7.4 

High school graduate 90 60.8 

Some college or technical school, no degree or certificate 14 9.5 

College degree of less than four years 7 4.7 

Four-year college degree 11 7.4 

Master's degree or greater 5 3.4 

Unknown 6 4.1 

Table continued on next page. 

126 
DoDSER CY 2014 CHAPTER 8: SELECTED RESERVE 

Table 39 (cont.) Demographic and Service Characteristics1 of Suicides 

that Occurred among Service Members in the SELRES while not in a Duty Suicide 

Status, CY 2014 No. % 

Marital status 

Never married 98 66.2 

Married 42 28.4 

Separated 0 

Divorced 8 5.4 

Widowed 0 

Unknown 0 

Component 

Reserve 68 45.9 

National Guard 80 54.1 

Service 

Air Force 21 14.2 

Army 106 71.6 

Marine Corps 11 7.4 

Navy 10 6.8 

Rank/grade 

Cadet 0 0.0 

El-E4 92 62.2 

ES-E9 44 29.7 

Officer 12 8.1 

Demographic and Service characteristics provided by the DMDC. 

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DoDSER CY 2014 

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128 
DoDSER CY 2014 

APPENDIX A 

GLOSSARY 

129 
CHAPTER 3: AGGREGATED DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

Active Component Per the Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, the Active 

Component is, "the portion of the armed forces as identified in annual 

authorization acts as 'active forces,' and in section 115 of Title 10 USC 

as those active duty personnel paid from funds appropriated for active 

duty personnel." 

Article 15 A provision under the Uniform Code of Military Justice that gives 

commanding officers the ability to impose non-judicial punishment 

upon soldiers who commit minor offenses within their units. 

death-risk gambling Any game of chance with death or serious injury as a potential outcome. 

Examples include "Russian roulette." 

deployment Per the Office of the Chairman, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a deployment 

is defined as "a troop movement resulting from a Joint Chiefs of Staff 

(JCS)/combatant command deployment order for 30 continuous days or 

greater to a land-based location outside the United States. This 

deployment location does not have permanent U.S. military medical 

treatment facilities (i.e., funded by the Defense Health Program) and 

may or may not be directly supported by deployed medical forces." 

Service members who deployed and had at one location identified as 

part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom 

(OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) were considered to have been 

OEF/OIF/OND-deployed. Per the RAND report, "Army Deployments to 

OIF and OEF," published in 2010, the identified locations included: 

Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Qatar, 

Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, the sea boundaries of the 

Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea, 

north of the 10°N latitude and west of the 68°E longitude and the air 

space over all countries and sea boundaries listed here. 

duty status Service members are considered to be in a duty status if they are 

members of the Active Component and are not identified as being 

AWOL or in a deserter status. Per the Office of the Assistant Secretary 

of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Service members of the Selected 

Reserve are also considered to be in a duty status if they are identified as 

currently engaged in Drill or Training, or in the Simultaneous 

Membership Program, Active Guard/Reserve or Full-Time Support 

roles. 

130 
DoDSER CY 2014 APPEXDIX A: GLOSSARY 

medical evaluation 

board 

Informal proceeding evaluating the medical history of a Service member 

to determine how the injury/disease will respond to treatment protocols. 

This is used to determine if the medical condition and/or physical defect 

will render the Service member unfit for duty. 

planned and/or 

premeditated 

Evidence the event was planned and/or premeditated includes verbal 

discussion of plan, written notes, email/chat-room discussion or other 

evidence of plan such as preparatory behaviors ( e.g., giving possessions 

away, purchase of materials to facilitate suicide, etc.). 

polypharmacy Being prescribed any four or more medications taken concurrently with 

any one of them being a psychotropic or central nervous system 

depressant. 

psychotropic 

medications 

A type of medication that directly affects the mental, emotional and 

behavioral states when consumed by an individual. Such medications 

are used to treat disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder. 

Selected Reserve Per the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, 

the Selected Reserve "consists of those units and individuals within the 

Ready Reserve designated by their respective Services and approved by 

the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, as so essential to initial wartime 

missions that they have priority over all other Reserves. All selected 

Reservists are in an active status, but not necessarily a duty status. This 

category includes all Guard and Reserve personnel who have Selected 

Reserve agreements, whether trained or not. 

self-harm (without 

intent to die) 

A self-inflicted, potentially injurious behavior for which there is 

evidence (either implicit or explicit) that the person did not intend to kill 

himself/herself (i.e., had no intent to die). 

suicidal ideation Any self-reported thoughts of engaging in suicide-related behaviors. 

suicide Self-inflicted death with evidence ( either explicit or implicit) of intent to 

die. 

131 
CHAPTER 3: AGGREGATED DATA DoDSER CY 2014 

suicide attempt A self-inflicted potentially injurious behavior with a non-fatal outcome 

for which there is evidence ( either explicit or implicit) of intent to die. 

traumatic brain 

injury 

A traumatically induced structural injury and/or physiological disruption 

of brain function as a result of an external force that is indicated by new 

onset or worsening of at least one of the these clinical signs immediately 

following the event: 

a) Any period of loss of or a decreased level of consciousness; 

b) Any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the injury; 

c) Any alteration in mental state at the time of the injury ( confusion, 

disorientation, slowed thinking, etc.) Neurological deficits (weakness, 

loss of balance, change in vision, praxis, paresis/plegia, sensory loss, 

aphasia, etc.) that may or may not be due to a transient intracranial 

lesion used to treat disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder. 

132 
DoDSER CY 2014 

APPENDIXB 

ACRONYMS 

133 
APPEXDIX B: ACRONYMS DoDSER CY 2014 

AFMES Armed Forces Medical Examiner System 

AWOL absent without official leave 

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

CI confidence interval 

CTS contingency tracking system 

CY calendar year 

DCIPS Defense Casualty Information Processing System 

DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center 

DoDSER Department of Defense Suicide Event Report 

DSPO Defense Suicide Prevention Office 

IRR incidence rate ratio 

OEF Operation Enduring Freedom 

OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom 

OND Operation New Dawn 

SAPRO Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office 

SELRES Selected Reserve 

SM Service member 

SMR standardized mortality ratio 

SPPM Suicide Prevention Program Manager 

T2 National Center for Telehealth & Technology 

TDY temporary duty 

WISQARS Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System 

134 
DoDSER CY 2014 

APPENDIXC 

LIST OF TABLES 

135 
APPEXDIX C: LIST OF TABLES DoDSER CY 2014 

Table 1 Summary of Suicide DoDSER Reports by Component and Service ........................ iv 

Table 2 Summary of Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports by Component and Service .......... v 

Table 3 Suicide Confirmation and Duty Status Counts .......................................................... xi 

Table 4 DoDSER Content Areas ................................................................................................. 2 

Table 5 Demonstration of the Calculation of the Age- and Sex-Adjusted Suicide Rate Using 

the Indirect Method for the Active Component, All Services, CY 2012 ................................ 11 

Table 6 Rates of Suicide (Unadjusted and Age- and Sex-Adjusted), SMR, and 95% CI for 

the Active Component and the Reserves and National Guard Components, Overall and by 

Service, CY 2012-CY 2014 ........................................................................................................ 19 

Table 7 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Active Component, Overall and by 

Demographic Category, All Services, CY2012-CY2014 ......................................................... 20 

Table 8 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Reserve Component of the Selected Reserve,2 

Overall and by Demographic Category, All Services, CY2012-CY2014 .............................. 22 

Table 9 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the National Guard Component of the Selected 

Reserve, Overall and by Demographic Category, Air Force and Army, CY2012-CY2014 24 

Table 10 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Active Component, Overall and by 

Demographic Category, Air Force, CY2012-CY2014 ............................................................ 26 

Table 11 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Active Component, Overall and by 

Demographic Category, Army, CY2012-CY2014 ................................................................... 28 

Table 12 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Active Component, Overall and by 

Demographic Category, Marine Corps, CY2012-CY2014 ..................................................... 30 

Table 13 Frequency and Rate of Suicide in the Active Component, Overall and by 

Demographic Category, Navy, CY2012-CY2014 .................................................................... 32 

Table 14 Demographic and Service Characteristics of Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 ................................................................................. 40 

Table 15 Event Location, Event Method, and Event Context for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 .................................................................. 42 

Table 16 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, All Services, CY 2014 ................................................................................. 46 

Table 17 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All 

Services, CY 2014 ....................................................................................................................... 49 

Table 18 Deployment History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, All 

Services, CY 2014 ....................................................................................................................... 51 

Table 19 Demographic and Service Characteristics of Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 .................................................................................... 58 

Table 20 Event Location, Event Method, and Event Context for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 ..................................................................... 60 

Table 21 Medical and Behavioral Health history for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Air Force, CY 2014 .................................................................................... 64 

136 
DoDSER CY 2014 APPEXDIX C: LIST OF TABLES 

Table 22 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air 

Force, CY 2014 ........................................................................................................................... 67 

Table 23 Deployment History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Air 

Force, CY 2014 ........................................................................................................................... 69 

Table 24 Demographic and Service Characteristics of Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 ........................................................................................... 76 

Table 25 Event Location, Event Method, and Event Context for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 ............................................................................ 78 

Table 26 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Army, CY 2014 ........................................................................................... 82 

Table27 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

Army, CY 2014 ........................................................................................................................... 85 

Table 28 Deployment History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

Army, CY 2014 ........................................................................................................................... 87 

Table 29 Demographic and Service Characteristics of Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 ............................................................................. 94 

Table 30 Event location, Event Method, and Event Context for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 .............................................................. 96 

Table 31 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Marine Corps, CY 2014 ........................................................................... 100 

Table 32 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

Marine Corps, CY 2014 ........................................................................................................... 103 

Table 33 Deployment History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

Marine Corps, CY 2014 ........................................................................................................... 105 

Table 34 Demographic and Service Characteristics of Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 .......................................................................................... 112 

Table 35 Event Location, Event Method, and Event Context for All Suicide and Suicide 

Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 ........................................................................... 114 

Table 36 Medical and Behavioral Health History for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt 

DoDSER Reports, Navy, CY 2014 .......................................................................................... 118 

Table 37 Psychosocial Stressors for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, 

Navy, CY 2014 .......................................................................................................................... 121 

Table 38 Deployment history for All Suicide and Suicide Attempt DoDSER Reports, Navy, 

CY 2014 ..................................................................................................................................... 123 

Table 39 Demographic and Service Characteristics of Suicides that Occurred among 

Service Members in the Reserve and National Guard Components of the SELRES while 

not in a Duty Status, CY 2014 ................................................................................................. 126 

137 
DoDSER CY 2014 

APPENDIXD 

FEEDBACK& 

SUGGESTIONS 

138 
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly 

Disagree Agree 

I found the information in the 2014 

DoDSER Annual Re ort hel ful 

What other statistics or comparisons would you like to have in future DoDSER Annual Reports? 

How did/will you use this report? 

Do you have any other feedback or suggestions? 

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DoDSER CY 2014 APPENDIX C: FEEDBACK & SUGGESTIONS 

In a continuing effort to provide a DoDSER Annual Report that is useful to the DoD community it serves, 

we request your feedback on the information we've provided and your suggestions for ways we could 

make the DoDSER Annual Report more useful. 

Please return your completed survey by mail, fax, or email to: 

National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2) 

9933 West Hayes, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98431 

Fax: 253.968.4192 

Email: Click here for e-mail contact 

Optional: 

Name: Title: 

Organization: ___________________________ _ 

Email: Phone: 

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140 
O

Department of 

SER 

Defense 

Suicide Event Report 

DEFENSE CENTERS 

OF EXCELLENCE 

National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2) 

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological 

Health & Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) 

t2health.dcoe.mil