National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2)

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological 

Health & Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE)

t2.health.mil

The estimated cost of the report for the Department of 

Defense is approximately $64,000 in Fiscal Years 2012 - 2013. 

This includes $20,000 in expenses and $44,000 in DoD labor.

Generated on 2014Jul24 RefID: 0-D493E45

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

i CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT FOUO

Acknowledgments

The National Center for Telehealth & Technology 

(T2) prepared this Department of Defense 

Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) Annual Report 

with contributions from many organizations and 

individuals. We are grateful to the Services’ 

behavioral health providers and commanddesignated appointees who collected and verified 

suicide event data. We also wish to thank the 

Services’ Suicide Prevention Program Managers 

(SPPMs) and DoDSER Program Managers who 

oversaw the DoDSER data collection process to 

ensure data integrity and program compliance. In 

particular, Lt. Col. Kathleen Crimmins (Air Force 

SPPM), John Wills (Army DoDSER Program 

Manager), Jessica Jagger, Ph.D., M.S.W. (Marine 

Corps Behavioral Health Data Surveillance), and 

Capt. Julie Miller (21st Century Sailor Office). 

We are also indebted to Lt. Cmdr. Peter Seguin, 

M.D., M.P.H., and Parrish Balcena, M.D., M.P.H., 

of the Mortality Surveillance Division of the Armed 

Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) for 

their support in the estimation and presentation 

of suicide rates for calendar year (CY) 2013, 

the confirmation of suicide cases reported in 

DoDSER, and the data on manner of death and 

toxicology. We also recognize the Defense Suicide 

Prevention Office, which played a supporting role 

in the production, release, and communication of 

this report. Finally, we would like to acknowledge 

T2 staff members Mark Broderick, John Baldwin, 

and David Coleman for their management of 

the DoDSER data collection system and the 

coordination of activities that made this report 

possible.

Authors:

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

Mark A. Reger, Ph.D.

Nigel E. Bush, Ph.D.

Nancy A. Skopp, Ph.D.

Ying Zhang, M.S.

Col. Rick L. Campise, Ph.D.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i Acknowledgments

iii Executive Summary

v A Note on the Data Sources

1 Suicide Rates

3 DoDSER Results

4 DoDSER Results: All Services

7 Air Force DoDSER Results

9 Army DoDSER Results

11 Marine Corps DoDSER Results

13 Navy DoDSER Results

15 Appendix A Methods

21 Appendix B Suicide Rate Tables

37 Appendix C DoDSER Tables For All Services Combined

51 Appendix D Air Force DoDSER Tables

65 Appendix E Army DoDSER Tables

79 Appendix F Marine Corps DoDSER Tables

93 Appendix G Navy DoDSER Tables

107 Appendix H Glossary

111 Appendix I Acronyms

113 Appendix J Feedback & Suggestions
iii CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT FOUO

This annual report of the DoDSER program 

summarizes CY 2013 fatal and nonfatal suicide 

events reported and submitted by March 31, 2014. 

This report is composed of aggregated DoDSER 

data for each of the four covered Services: Air 

Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Data for 

each DoDSER were provided by the Services, the 

AFMES, and the Defense Manpower Data Center 

(DMDC). Personally identifiable information has 

been redacted from this report.

Background

The DoDSER program is a collaborative effort of 

T2 and the Services’ (excluding the U.S. Coast 

Guard) suicide prevention program offices. 

Since January 1, 2008, the DoDSER program 

has standardized suicide surveillance across the 

Services with the ultimate goal of facilitating the 

DoD’s suicide-prevention mission. When a death 

is ruled a suicide by the AFMES, a designated 

professional from the respective Service reviews 

records, conducts interviews when appropriate, 

and responds to the DoDSER items via the secure 

web-based DoDSER application (https://dodser.

t2.health.mil). As of January 1, 2010, surveillance 

of suicide events expanded to include suicide 

attempts for all Services. Additional nonfatal suicide 

events including self-harm and suicidal ideation are 

collected by the Army. The DoDSER items collect 

comprehensive information about the Service 

member (SM) and the event.

Changes to the Annual Report

The DMDC provided data on demographic 

characteristics and deployment history. The use of 

these external, enterprise data sources is intended to 

improve the quality of the data reported herein. The 

date used for case identification for suicide rates was 

June 30, 2014 instead of March 31, 2014.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Caveats

No formal statistical testing was implemented in the 

development of this report; as such, we cannot draw 

strong inferences in comparisons between event types 

or over time. Furthermore, since the primary purpose 

of the DoDSER program is to monitor suicide events, 

both fatal and nonfatal, as they occur, the system does 

not specify the systematic collection of concurrent data 

on non-cases (i.e., controls). Collection of such data 

exceeds the surveillance mandate of the DoDSER 

and becomes a formal research protocol. The data 

described in this report can identify the prevalence 

of various suspected risk and protective factors for 

suicide, but definitive conclusions and inference 

about the role of any specific factor in terms of suicide 

prevention requires well-planned and well-executed 

etiologic research that exceeds the scope of this 

surveillance program.

Rates

According to AFMES’s data as of June 30, 2014, 

there were 259 suicides among Active Component 

SMs and 220 among Reserve and National Guard 

SMs of the Selected Reserve (SELRES). The 

Active Component suicide rate (per 100,000 SMs) 

was 18.7. The rates for the Reserve and National 

Guard components of the SELRES were 23.4 and 

28.9, respectively. Rates for the Active Components 

of the four services were 14.4, 23.0, 23.1, and 13.4 

for the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, 

respectively.
FOUO iv

DoDSER

Per policy, the DoDSER system collected data 

on suicides for all SMs in a duty status at the 

time of death, including SMs in the SELRES. 

SMs not included were Active Component SMs 

who were absent without leave (AWOL) or in a 

deserted status and SELRES SMs who were 

not in a duty status.The distribution of suicide 

DoDSERs across the four included Services 

was as follows: Air Force-43 (17.6%), Army-115 

(46.9%), Marine Corps-45 (18.4%), and Navy-42 

(17.1%). These counts included reports for both 

confirmed suicides and probable suicides pending 

a final determination. Of these suicides, 187 were 

confirmed by the AFMES as of January 31, 2014, 

the date used for the evaluation of DoDSER 

submission compliance. For CY 2013, all Services 

achieved 100% submission compliance. A total of 

1,034 SMs had one or more attempted suicides 

reported in the DoDSER for CY 2013.

DoDSER Results

• Based on submitted DoDSERs, the most common demographic characteristics for SMs who 

died by suicide or attempted suicide in CY 2013 

were: 

o Male

o White/Caucasian

o Non-Hispanic

o Under 30 years of age

o Junior enlisted (E1- E4)

o Educated through high school

• The primary methods for suicides were firearms 

and hanging. The majority of firearms used 

were non-military-issued firearms. Drugs and/or 

alcohol overdose was the most common method indicated in suicide attempt reports.

• The most common behavioral health diagnoses 

for suicide DoDSERs were mood and adjustment disorders. For suicide attempt DoDSERs, 

the most common behavioral health diagnoses 

were mood and anxiety disorders.

• Failed relationships (mostly intimate in nature) 

and administrative/legal issues were the most 

frequently cited psychosocial stressors in suicide DoDSERs. In suicide attempt DoDSERs, 

failed relationships and financial or workplace 

difficulties were reported most frequently.

• Most suicide DoDSERs and approximately onehalf of suicide attempt DoDSERs indicated a 

history of deployment.

Conclusions

The risk and protective factors described in the 

CY 2013 DoDSER Annual Report reflect very 

similar patterns to those identified in previous 

years. Incorporation of data from the AFMES 

and the DMDC in this year’s report and pending 

enhancements that include the use of additional 

external data sources will further enhance the 

ability of the DoDSER program to inform leadership 

of patterns related to suicide among SMs. 
v CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT FOUO

This DoDSER Annual Report presents data 

to address two important aspects of suicide 

surveillance: 

1. What is the burden of suicide

 among SMs? 

2. What is the distribution of known or 

 suspected risk factors among SMs who 

 engaged in suicidal behavior? 

To answer the first question, the AFMES used 

data on the number of CY 2013 suicides that were 

confirmed or pending confirmation as of March 31, 

2014 to calculate mortality rates using data from 

the DMDC to determine the denominators. (See 

Appendix A for more details on the calculations 

performed to produce the rates presented in this 

report.) The presentation of rate data for this 

year’s DoDSER Annual Report presents rate 

data separately for SMs in the Active Component 

and SMs in the Reserve and National Guard 

Components of the SELRES, regardless of duty 

status. 

To answer the second question, T2 maintains an 

electronic surveillance system to collect historical 

and risk factor data on suicides and suicide 

attempts among SMs who are in a duty status at 

the time of the event. At present, the mandate for 

the surveillance system does not extend to Reserve 

and National Guard Component SMs who were 

not in a duty status. All CY 2013 suicides that were 

confirmed by January 31, 2014 by the AFMES 

were required to submit a DoDSER by March 31, 

2014. Those suicides that were confirmed after this 

deadline may also have had a DoDSER submitted, 

but it was not required given the minimum time 

allowed to submit a report post confirmation of a 

suicide and the timeline for developing the annual 

report. The table below shows the relationship of 

the suicides used in the rate calculations to those 

included in the DoDSER data. (See Appendix A

for more information on how the DoDSER system 

functions and a description of the types and 

sources of data used to complete a DoDSER.) 

A NOTE ON THE DATA SOURCES

Distinction between the number of suicides included in the rate calculations and the number of DoDSERs included in the Annual Report

Active Component Selected Reserve

Number of confirmed and pending suicides for CY 2013, as of June 30, 2014 259 220

 DoDSER required (suicide occurred while SM was in a duty status) 259 32

 DoDSERs included in Annual Report 224 21

Met compliance requirement (DoDSERs submitted for a suicide confirmed by AFMES 

by January 31, 2014) 

169 18

Exceeded compliance requirement (DoDSERs submitted for a suicide confirmed by 

AFMES after January 31, 2014, or still pending a final determination)

55 3

 Suicides not included in Annual Report 35 11

Did not meet compliance requirement (DoDSERs not submitted for a suicide confirmed 

by AFMES by January 31, 2014) 

0 0

Exceeded compliance requirement (DoDSERs submitted for a suicide confirmed by 

AFMES after January 31, 2014, or still pending a final determination)

35 11
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1 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 1: Suicide Rates Suicide Rates

Chapter 1

SUICIDE RATES
2

Chapter 1: Suicide Rates

SUICIDE RATES

In this section, we present the rates of suicide 

for CY 2013 (see Appendix B for tables). Rates 

are presented for each Service and in aggregate 

across the four Services included in the DoDSER 

surveillance program. Rates are provided 

separately for the Active Component and the 

Reserve and National Guard Components of 

the SELRES. All rates included in the tables are 

unadjusted rates. Comparisons between groups 

or across time do not take into account different 

distributions of factors, such as the age composition 

of each population, which can provide misleading 

results. Distributions of demographic characteristics 

and associated rates are included in the tables in 

Appendix B with rates redacted for categories with 

fewer than 20 events. A detailed discussion on the 

data sources, definitions, and formulae used in 

calculating the suicide rates is included in Appendix A. 

The AFMES identified 259 suicides among Active 

Component SMs in CY 2013. From the SELRES, 

there were 87 suicides in the Reserve Component 

and 133 in the National Guard Component. The rate 

of suicide (per 100,000 SMs) for Active Component 

SMs was 18.7. The rates for the Reserve and 

National Guard Components of the SELRES were 

23.4 and 28.9, respectively. The suicide rates for 

the Active Components of the four Services were 

as follows: Air Force – 14.4, Army – 23.0, Marine 

Corps – 23.1, Navy – 13.4. The number of suicides 

in the SELRES for each Service was too small to 

calculate stable unadjusted rates with the exception 

of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard 

Components of the SELRES with rates of 30.1 and 

33.4, respectively.
3 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

Chapter 2

DoDSER RESULTS
4

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

two reported attempts, and 3 with three reported 

attempts.

Demographics

Demographic characteristics for all suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs are displayed in

Appendix C, Table C1. Most DoDSERs for both 

suicides and suicide attempts were associated 

with the following characteristics: male, white/

Caucasian, non-Hispanic, less than 30 years 

of age, and high school graduate. SMs were 

most often enlisted and affiliated with the Active 

Component. 

Event Information

Detailed descriptive statistics on the event location, 

event context, and event method are presented in 

Appendix C, Table C2. In Figure 1, we display the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated drug/alcohol use, firearm, or hanging 

as the primary event method for CY 2011 – CY 

2013. In suicide DoDSERs, firearms and hanging 

were the methods most often used; in suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common method was 

drug/alcohol overdose. Prescription and over-thecounter pharmaceuticals were the drugs used 

The DoDSER system collects data on 

demographics, contextual factors, behavioral 

health history, and known or suspected risk factors 

for suicide for all identified suicides and suicide 

attempts that occur among Active Component 

SMs and SELRES SMs in a duty status. The 

DMDC provided data on demographic variables 

and deployment history for submitted DoDSERs.

DoDSERs for suicides were required to be 

submitted within 60 days after notification from the 

AFMES of confirmation of the manner of death. 

DoDSERs for suicide attempts were required 

to be submitted when an SM engaged in selfinjurious behavior, with intent to die, that resulted 

in hospitalization or evacuation from in-theater. 

DoDSERs submitted by March 31, 2014 were 

included in data analysis to accommodate the 

reporting window for events that occurred up until 

December 31, 2013. For CY 2013, there were 

245 suicide DoDSERs and 1,080 suicide attempt 

DoDSERs submitted by the Services. The 245 

suicide DoDSERs included 187 for decedents 

whose manner of death was confirmed as suicide 

by January 31, 2014, 1 according to the AFMES, 

and 58 deaths with a later confirmation or pending 

suicide manner determination. The 1,080 suicide 

attempt DoDSERs provided data on 1,034 unique 

SMs—991 with one reported attempt, 40 with 

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Drug/Alcohol

Firearm

Hanging

Percent

Year

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Behavioral health diagnosis

Prior self-injury

Substance abuse history

Percent

Year

Figure 1. Distribution of event method in suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSERs, all Services, CY 2011 – CY 2013.

Figure 2. Distribution of behavioral health diagnosis, prior self-injury, and 

substance abuse history in suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSER RESULTS—ALL SERVICES
5 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

most frequently, either as the primary method or in 

addition to the primary method. 

Behavioral Health

Data on behavioral health variables are provided 

in Appendix C, Table C3. Figure 2 displays the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated a history of any behavioral health 

diagnosis, prior self-injury, or a history of substance 

abuse for CY 2011 – CY 2013. For suicide 

DoDSERs, the most common behavioral health 

diagnoses were mood and adjustment disorders. 

For suicide attempt DoDSERs, the most common 

diagnoses were mood and anxiety disorders. 

Antidepressants were the most commonly used 

psychotropic medication class reported in both 

suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs. 

Psychosocial Stressors

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER collected 

information on relationships, family issues, legal 

or administrative problems, work and financial 

difficulties, and alleged abuse victimization or 

perpetration. Appendix C, Table C4 provides 

descriptive data for each of these factors. 

Figure 3 displays the proportion of suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs that indicated a failed 

relationship, administrative or legal problems, or 

work and financial difficulties from CY 2011 – CY 

2013. A failed relationship–primarily intimate in 

nature–was the most common stressor for both 

event types. 

Deployment

A majority of suicide DoDSERs indicated a 

history of deployment. Approximately one-half of 

suicide attempt DoDSERs reported a history of 

deployment. (Appendix C, Table C5). 

1See Appendix A for additional information.

0 20 40 60 80 100

0 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Failed relationship

Legal/Administrative

Work/Financial

Percent

Year

Figure 3. Distribution of three most common psychosocial stressors in suicide 

and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services, CY 2011 – CY 2013.
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
7 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Behavioral health diagnosis

Prior self-injury

Substance abuse history

Percent

Year

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Drug/Alcohol

Firearm

Hanging

Percent

Year

Demographics

Demographic characteristics for all suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs are displayed in 

Appendix D, Table D1. Most DoDSERs for both 

suicides and suicide attempts were associated 

with the following characteristics: male, white/

Caucasian, non-Hispanic, less than 30 years 

of age, and high school graduate. SMs were 

most often enlisted and affiliated with the Active 

Component. Approximately one-half of DoDSERs 

were for never-married SMs.

Event Information

Detailed descriptive statistics on the event location, 

event context, and event method are presented in 

Appendix D, Table D2. In Figure 4, we display the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated drug/alcohol use, firearm, or hanging 

as the primary event method for CY 2011 – CY 

2013. In suicide DoDSERs, firearms and hanging 

were the methods most often used; in suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common method was 

drug/alcohol overdose. Prescription and over-thecounter pharmaceuticals were the drugs used 

most frequently, either as the primary method or in 

addition to the primary method.

The DoDSER system collects data on 

demographics, contextual factors, behavioral 

health history, and known or suspected risk factors 

for suicide for all identified suicides and suicide 

attempts that occur among Active Component 

SMs and SELRES SMs in a duty status. The 

DMDC provided data on demographic variables 

and deployment history for submitted DoDSERs.

DoDSERs for suicides were required to be 

submitted within 60 days after notification from the 

AFMES of confirmation of the manner of death. 

DoDSERs for suicide attempts were required to 

be submitted within 60 days when an SM engaged 

in self-injurious behavior, with intent to die, that 

resulted in hospitalization or evacuation from 

theater. DoDSERs submitted by March 31, 2014, 

were included in data analysis. For CY 2013, there 

were 43 suicide DoDSERs and 259 suicide attempt 

DoDSERs submitted by the Air Force. The 43 

suicide DoDSERs included 26 for decedents whose 

manner of death was confirmed as suicide by 

January 31, 2014, 1 according to the AFMES, and 17 

deaths with a later confirmation or pending suicide 

manner determination. The 259 suicide attempt 

DoDSERs provided data on 247 unique SMs—235 

with one reported attempt and 12 with two reported 

attempts.

Figure 4. Distribution of event method in suicide and suicide attempt Air 

Force DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

Figure 5. Distribution of behavioral health diagnosis, prior self-injury, and 

substance abuse history in suicide and suicide attempt Air Force 

DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

AIR FORCE DoDSER RESULTS
8

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Failed relationship

Legal/Administrative

Work/Financial

Percent

Year

Behavioral Health

Data on behavioral health variables are provided 

in Appendix D, Table D3. Figure 5 displays 

the proportion of suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSERs that indicated a history of any behavioral 

health diagnosis, prior self-injury, or a history of 

substance abuse for CY 2011 – CY 2013. For 

both event types, the most common behavioral 

health diagnoses were mood, anxiety, and 

adjustment disorders. Antidepressants were the 

most commonly used psychotropic medication 

class reported in both suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSERs. 

Psychosocial Stressors

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER collected 

information on relationships, family issues, legal 

or administrative problems, work and financial 

difficulties, and alleged abuse victimization or 

perpetration. Appendix D, Table D4 provides 

descriptive data for each of these factors. Figure 

6 displays the proportion of suicide and suicide 

attempt DoDSERs that indicated any failed 

relationships, legal or administrative problems, or 

work and financial difficulties from CY 2011 – CY 

2013. A failed relationship—primarily intimate in 

nature—was the most common stressor for both 

event types. 

Deployment History

Approximately one-half of suicide DoDSERs 

reported a history of deployment. Less than onehalf of suicide attempt DoDSERs reported a history 

of deployment (Appendix D, Table D5). 

1See Appendix A for additional information.

Figure 6. Distribution of three most common psychosocial stressors in 

suicide and suicide attempt Air Force DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 
9 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

SMs could have more than one DoDSER submitted 

to reflect multiple events. The table below displays 

the number of SMs per event type by the number of 

DoDSERs.

Demographics

Demographic characteristics for all suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs are displayed in 

Appendix E, Table E1.

2 Most DoDSERs for both 

suicides and suicide attempts were associated 

with the following characteristics: male, white/

Caucasian, non-Hispanic, less than 30 years of 

age, high school graduate, and married. SMs were 

most often enlisted and affiliated with the Active 

Component. 

Event Information

ARMY DoDSER RESULTS

The DoDSER system collects data on 

demographics, contextual factors, behavioral 

health history, and known or suspected risk factors 

for suicide for all identified suicides and suicide 

attempts that occur among Active Component SMs 

and SELRES SMs in a duty status. In addition, 

the Army uses the DoDSER to collect data on 

self-harm without suicidal intent and suicidal 

ideation. The DMDC provided data on demographic 

variables and deployment history for submitted 

DoDSERs. DoDSERs for suicides were required 

to be submitted within 60 days after notification 

from the AFMES of confirmation of the manner 

of death. DoDSERs for suicide attempts were 

required to be submitted when an SM engaged 

in self-injurious behavior, with intent to die, that 

resulted in hospitalization or evacuation from 

theater. Event reports submitted by March 31, 

2014, were included in data analysis. For CY 2013, 

there were 115 suicide DoDSERs and 491 suicide 

attempt DoDSERs submitted by the Army. The 

115 suicide DoDSERs included 90 for decedents 

whose manner of death was confirmed as suicide 

by January 31, 2014, 1 according to the AFMES, 

and 25 with a later confirmation or pending suicide 

manner determination. The Army also collected 

reports on self-harm (without intent to die, n=231) 

and suicidal ideation (n=989). For nonfatal events, 

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Behavioral health diagnosis

Prior self-injury

Substance abuse history

Percent

Year

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Drug/Alcohol

Firearm

Hanging

Percent

Year

Figure 7. Distribution of event method in suicide and suicide attempt Army 

DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

Figure 8. Distribution of behavioral health diagnosis, prior self-injury, and 

substance abuse history in suicide and suicide attempt Army 

DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

Number of reports per service member, by event type

Event Type

Number of 

DoDSERs

Attempts Self-harm Ideation

1 453 217 910

2 16 7 38

3 2 0 1
10

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Failed relationship

Legal/Administrative

Work/Financial

Percent

Year

Detailed descriptive statistics on the event location, 

event context, and event method are presented in 

Appendix E, Table E2. In Figure 7, we display the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated drug/alcohol use, firearm, or hanging 

as the primary event method for CY 2011 – CY 

2013. In suicide DoDSERs, firearms and hanging 

were the methods most often used; in suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common method was 

drug/alcohol overdose. Prescription and over-thecounter pharmaceuticals were the drugs used 

most frequently, either as the primary method or in 

addition to the primary method.

Behavioral Health

Data on behavioral health variables are provided 

in Appendix E, Table E3. Figure 8 displays the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated a history of any behavioral health 

diagnosis, prior self-injury, or a history of substance 

abuse for CY 2011 – CY 2013. The most common 

behavioral health diagnoses in suicide DoDSERs 

were mood and adjustment disorders. For suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common diagnoses 

were mood and anxiety disorders. Antidepressants 

were the most commonly used psychotropic 

medication class reported in both suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs. 

Psychosocial Stressors

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER collected 

information on relationships, family issues, legal 

or administrative problems, work and financial 

difficulties, and alleged abuse victimization or 

perpetration. Appendix E, Table E4 provides 

descriptive data for each of these factors. Figure 

9 displays the proportion of suicide and suicide 

attempt DoDSERs that indicated any failed 

relationships, legal or administrative problems, or 

work and financial difficulties from CY 2011 – CY 

2013. A failed relationship–primarily intimate in 

nature–was the most common stressor identified in 

suicide DoDSERs. Approximately equal proportions 

of suicide attempt DoDSERs indicated either a 

failed relationship or work and financial difficulties.

Deployment

More than half of suicide and suicide event 

DoDSERs reported a history of deployment 

(Appendix E, Table E5). 

1See Appendix A for additional information.

2Please note that all tables include data for self-harm and ideation event reports; however, these event types will not be discussed here.

Figure 9. Distribution of three most common psychosocial stressors in 

suicide and suicide attempt Army DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 
11 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

Demographics

Demographic characteristics for all suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs are displayed in 

Appendix F, Table F1. Most DoDSERs for both 

suicides and suicide attempts were associated 

with the following characteristics: male, white/

Caucasian, non-Hispanic, less than 30 years 

of age, and high school graduate. SMs were 

most often enlisted and affiliated with the Active 

Component. Approximately equal proportions of 

suicide DoDSERs indicated that the SM was either 

never married or married. Most suicide attempt 

DoDSERs identified the SM as never married. 

Event Information

Detailed descriptive statistics on the event location, 

event context, and event method are presented in 

Appendix F, Table F2. In Figure 10, we display the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated drug/alcohol use, firearm, or hanging 

as the primary event method for CY 2011 – CY 

2013. In suicide DoDSERs, firearms and hanging 

were the methods most often used; in suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common method was 

drug/alcohol overdose. Prescription and over-theMARINE CORPS DoDSER RESULTS

The DoDSER system collects data on 

demographics, contextual factors, behavioral 

health history, and known or suspected risk factors 

for suicide for all identified suicides and suicide 

attempts that occur among Active Component 

SMs and SELRES SMs in a duty status. The 

DMDC provided data on demographic variables 

and deployment history for submitted DoDSERs. 

DoDSERs for suicides were required to be 

submitted within 15 days after notification from the 

AFMES of confirmation of the manner of death. 

DoDSERs for suicide attempts were required 

to be submitted when an SM engaged in selfinjurious behavior, with intent to die, that resulted 

in hospitalization or evacuation from theater. 

DoDSERs submitted by March 31, 2014, were 

included in data analysis. For CY 2013, there 

were 45 suicide DoDSERs and 229 suicide attempt 

DoDSERs submitted by the Marine Corps. The 45 

suicide DoDSERs included 37 for decedents whose 

manner of death was confirmed as suicide by 

January 31, 2014,1 according to the AFMES, and 8 

deaths with a later confirmation or pending suicide 

manner determination. The 229 suicide attempt 

DoDSERs provided data on 221 unique SMs—214 

with one reported attempt, 6 with two reported 

attempts, and 1 with three reported attempts.

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Behavioral health diagnosis

Prior self-injury

Substance abuse history

Percent

Year

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Drug/Alcohol

Firearm

Hanging

Percent

Year

Figure 10. Distribution of event method in suicide and suicide attempt 

Marine Corps DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

Figure 11. Distribution of behavioral health diagnosis, prior self-injury, and 

substance abuse history in suicide and suicide attempt Marine 

Corps DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 
12

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

0 20 40 60 80 100

0 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Failed relationship

Legal/Administrative

Work/Financial

Percent

Year

Figure 12. Distribution of three most common psychosocial stressors in 

suicide and suicide attempt Marine Corps DoDSERs, CY 2011 – 

CY 2013. 

1See Appendix A for additional information.

counter pharmaceuticals were the drugs used 

most frequently, either as the primary method or in 

addition to the primary method.

Behavioral Health 

Data on behavioral health variables are provided 

in Appendix F, Table F3. Figure 11 displays the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated a history of any behavioral health 

diagnosis, prior self-injury, or a history of substance 

abuse for CY 2011 – CY 2013. The most common 

behavioral health diagnoses in suicide DoDSERs 

were mood and anxiety disorders. For suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common diagnoses 

were mood and anxiety disorders. Antidepressants 

were the most commonly used psychotropic 

medication class reported in both suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs. 

Psychosocial Stressors

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER collected 

information on relationships, family issues, legal 

or administrative problems, work and financial 

difficulties, and alleged abuse victimization or 

perpetration. Appendix F, Table F4 provides 

descriptive data for each of these factors. Figure 

12 displays the proportion of suicide and suicide 

attempt DoDSERs that indicated any failed 

relationships, legal or administrative problems, or 

work and financial difficulties from CY 2011 – CY 

2013. A failed relationship—primarily intimate in 

nature—was the most common stressor identified 

in suicide DoDSERs. Suicide attempt DoDSERs 

identified the presence of each of the three types 

of stressor presented in the figure in approximately 

equal proportions. 

Deployment

The majority of suicide DoDSERs indicated a 

history of deployment (Appendix F, Table F5). The 

majority of suicide attempt DoDSERs reported no 

history of deployment.
13 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Behavioral health diagnosis

Prior self-injury

Substance abuse history

Percent

Year

0 20 40 60 80 1000 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Drug/Alcohol

Firearm

Hanging

Percent

Year

NAVY DoDSER RESULTS

The DoDSER system collects data on 

demographics, contextual factors, behavioral 

health history, and known or suspected risk 

factors for suicide for all identified suicides 

and suicide attempts that occur among Active 

Component SMs and SELRES SMs in a duty 

status. The DMDC provided data on demographic 

variables and deployment history for submitted 

DoDSERs. DoDSERs for suicides were required 

to be submitted within 60 days after notification 

from the AFMES of confirmation of the manner 

of death. DoDSERs for suicide attempts were 

required to be submitted when an SM engaged 

in self-injurious behavior, with intent to die, that 

resulted in hospitalization or evacuation from 

theater. DoDSERs submitted by March 31, 2014, 

were included in data analysis. For CY 2013, 

there were 42 suicide DoDSERs and 101 suicide 

attempt DoDSERs submitted by the Navy. The 42 

suicide DoDSERs included 34 for decedents whose 

manner of death was confirmed as suicide by 

January 31, 2014,1 according to the AFMES, and 8 

deaths with later confirmation or a pending suicide 

manner determination. The 101 suicide attempt 

DoDSERs provided data on 95 unique SMs—89 

with one reported attempt and 6 with two reported 

attempts.

Figure 13. Distribution of event method in suicide and suicide attempt Navy 

DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

Figure 14. Distribution of behavioral health diagnosis, prior self-injury, and 

substance abuse history in suicide and suicide attempt Navy 

DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

Demographics

Demographic characteristics for all suicide and 

suicide attempt DoDSERs are displayed in Appendix 

G, Table G1. Most DoDSERs for both suicides and 

suicide attempts were associated with the following 

characteristics: male, white/Caucasian, non-Hispanic, 

less than 30 years of age, and high school graduate. 

SMs were most often enlisted and affiliated with the 

Active Component. Approximately equal proportions 

of suicide DoDSERs indicated that the SM was 

either never married or married. Most suicide attempt 

DoDSERs identified the SM as never married. 

Event Information

Detailed descriptive statistics on the event location, 

event context, and event method are presented in 

Appendix G, Table G2. In Figure 13, we display the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated drug/alcohol use, firearm, or hanging 

as the primary event method for CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

In suicide DoDSERs, firearms and hanging were 

the methods most often used; in suicide attempt 

DoDSERs, the most common method was drug/

alcohol overdose. Prescription and over-the-counter 

pharmaceuticals were the drugs used most frequently, 

either as the primary method or in addition to the 

primary method. 
14

Chapter 2: DoDSER Results

0 20 40 60 80 100

0 20 40 60 80 100

2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Failed relationship

Legal/Administrative

Work/Financial

Percent

Year

Behavioral Health

Data on behavioral health variables are provided 

in Appendix G, Table G3. Figure 14 displays the 

proportion of suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs 

that indicated a history of any behavioral health 

diagnosis, prior self-injury, or a history of substance 

abuse for CY 2011 – CY 2013. The most common 

behavioral health diagnoses in suicide DoDSERs 

were mood and adjustment disorders. For suicide 

attempt DoDSERs, the most common diagnoses 

were mood disorders. The most commonly used 

psychotropic medication classes in suicide DoDSERs 

were antidepressants and sleep medications. For 

suicide attempt DoDSERs, the most commonly used 

psychotropic medication class was antidepressants.

Psychosocial Stressors

Psychosocial factors included in DoDSER collected 

information on relationships, family issues, legal 

or administrative problems, work and financial 

difficulties, and alleged abuse victimization or 

perpetration. Appendix G, Table G4 provides 

descriptive data for each of these factors. Figure 15 

displays the proportion of suicide and suicide attempt 

DoDSERs that indicated any failed relationships, 

legal or administrative problems, or work and 

financial difficulties from CY 2011 – CY 2013. A failed 

relationship–primarily intimate in nature–was the most 

common stressor for both event types.

Deployment

A majority of suicide DoDSERs indicated a history 

of deployment. Less than one-half of suicide 

attempt DoDSERs reported a history of deployment 

(Appendix G, Table G5).

Figure 15. Distribution of three most common psychosocial stressors in 

suicide and suicide attempt Navy DoDSERs, CY 2011 – CY 2013. 

1See Appendix A for additional information.
15 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix A: Methods

Appendix A 

METHODS
16

Appendix A: Methods

certificates to the program office to ensure privacy 

training. The descriptive DoDSER data presented 

here were compiled as DoDSERS were completed 

and submitted by respondents across the DoD. 

The processes for identifying suicides and obtaining 

DoDSERs were similar across all Services. The SPPMs 

coordinated closely with the AFMES to maintain an 

official list of suicides. In the Army, a DoDSER point of 

contact and Command point of contact at each medical 

treatment facility were notified when a SM’s death 

was confirmed as a suicide. At that point, they were 

requested to complete a DoDSER within 60 days (15 

days for Marine Corps). In the Air Force, the Office of 

Special Investigations was the primary data collection, 

agency. In the Navy and Marine Corps, the SPPMs’ 

office contacted the local Command and requested an 

appropriate POC to meet the requirement. 

Per the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and 

Readiness) [1], a minimum of 90 days are required 

between the end of a CY and the calculation of the 

CY suicide rate. This makes March 31, 2014, the 

established date for finalizing the data collection 

period for CY 2013 in the DoDSER system. To allow 

the Services the 60 days from date of confirmation 

(not date of death) of a suicide, January 31, 2014, 

was used as the final day of notification from AFMES 

of a confirmed suicide during CY 2013. The number 

of confirmed suicides on January 31, 2014, was 

used as the denominator in evaluating DoDSER 

submission compliance for the Services. Suicides that 

were confirmed after January 31, 2014, still required 

a DoDSER submission, but those DoDSERs could be 

submitted after the data collection end date of March 

31, 2014.

DoDSERs were required for all suicides that occurred 

within the Active Component and the Reserve 

and National Guard Components of the SELRES, 

provided the SM was in a duty status at the time of 

the event. Since 2008, all Services were required to 

submit DoDSERs for fatal suicide events. Since 2010, 

all Services were also required to submit DoDSERs 

for suicide attempts. Only the Army requires 

DoDSERs for other nonfatal events (self-harm and 

suicidal ideation). DoDSERs were submitted by 

behavioral health providers, health care providers, 

DoDSER Items

DoDSER items were developed to provide a 

comprehensive set of information from a variety of 

sources to facilitate suicide prevention efforts and to 

enable surveillance across the DoD. Development of 

the current DoDSER content evolved from structured 

reviews of the Services’ historical surveillance items, 

workgroup deliberations with representation from all 

Services (including the SPPMs), and a systematic 

review of the suicide literature. Feedback on content 

from nationally recognized civilian and military experts 

was also integrated. In addition, suggestions from 

senior leaders and other stakeholders were provided 

by some workgroup members. Furthermore, a 

workgroup that includes representatives from all the 

Services meets each year to refine the items based 

on evolving needs. Variables were organized into 

categories for a theoretically meaningful presentation. 

Categories were organized as follows:

• Demographic characteristics

• Historical or developmental factors (e.g., 

 family history, prior suicide behaviors, 

 life events) 

• Contextual factors (e.g., access to firearms,

 place of residence, duty status)

• Clinical health factors (e.g., behavioral and 

 physical health diagnoses)

These categories were combined with a section 

on deployment history and a comprehensive set of 

questions related to the event to form the current 

DoDSER.

Data Collection Process

The DoDSERs were completed using a web form 

that is available via the Internet and submitted via 

a secure website. The DoDSER system is hosted 

at a DoD Information Assurance Certification and 

Accreditation Process approved facility. Basic data entry 

users do not have access to any DoDSER data that 

others submit. All other DoDSER users submit Health 

Insurance Portability and Accountability Act training 
17 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix A: Methods

or command-appointed representatives. Technicians 

were permitted to submit DoDSERs under the 

supervision of one of these professionals. 

DoDSER responses were derived from a review of 

all relevant records. Following a suicide, respondents 

reviewed medical and behavioral health records, 

personnel records, investigative agency records, and 

records related to the manner of death. Information 

was also collected from co-workers, the responsible 

investigative agency officer, and other professionals 

or family members. For nonfatal suicide behaviors, 

DoDSER respondents frequently conducted 

interviews with SMs to collect some of the required 

information. 

Data Quality Control Procedures

The DoDSER program enlisted several types of 

data quality control. These are listed below:

1. The data submission website minimized the 

possibility of data entry errors. The software used 

form field validation to request user clarification 

when data were not logically possible (e.g., date 

inconsistency). 

2. Data submission required a DoDSER account 

in which the user’s identity was confirmed with a 

common access card. The common access card 

contains basic information about the owner and is 

associated with a personal identification number 

required for login. Therefore, erroneous reports 

were not submitted by individuals not authorized to 

interface with the system. 

3. Suicide event reports were corroborated against 

data from the AFMES to ensure that a suicide 

DoDSER was valid. Corroboration involved the 

matching of the DoDSER record with the AFMES’s 

list of suicides for CY 2013 to validate a suicide 

record in the DoDSER. Any DoDSER suicide 

reports that did not match the AFMES’s list were 

not included in the analysis for the report. 

4. All DoDSERs were reviewed to ensure that 

multiple DoDSERs were not submitted for the same 

event. Potential duplicates were automatically 

flagged so the Service’s DoDSER Program 

Manager could determine which submission 

represented the most complete data.

5. Open-ended fields and “other” response categories 

were 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.

6. We used data from the AFMES and the DMDC 

to improve accuracy of data for several fields. 

The AFMES’s data informed event method and 

toxicology results for suicide reports. The DMDC 

data provided information on deployment history 

and demographic characteristics. Data provided 

by these external sources were awarded primacy 

in developing the analytic variables. For data fields 

from the external sources that were blank, data 

provided in the DoDSER were used to inform the 

variable, if available.

Rate Data

Case Identification and Demographics 

The AFMES compiled the official case listing of 

suicides that occurred among Active Component 

SMs and SELRES SMs who died while in a duty 

status from 2011 to 2013. Determination of duty 

status was based on information entered into the 

Defense Casualty Information Processing System. 

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. Suicide cases 

that occurred among SELRES SMs who were not 

in a duty status were obtained from the Servicespecific SPPMs for the Air Force, the Army, the 

Marine Corps, and the Navy. The suicide case 

numbers presented in this report were current as of 

June 30, 2014. Demographic data, which include 

sex, race, ethnicity, education, marital status, age, 

rank/grade, and Service affiliation, were collected 

from the DMDC for each of the suicide cases.

Rate Calculation

The rate methodology was developed through a 

consensus among the Services and other Office of 
18

Appendix A: Methods

1The Selected Reserve comprises SMs with a Reserve Component category designator code of S, T, or U in the Air National Guard, Army National Guard, 

Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Navy Reserve. 

the Secretary of Defense components facilitated 

by the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. Crude 

and stratified rates were calculated separately for 

the Active Component, the Reserve Component of 

the SELRES, and the National Guard Component 

of the SELRES. Crude rates were calculated for 

all Services combined and individually for each 

Service. Stratified rates were also calculated by 

sex, race, ethnicity, education, marital status, 

age, and rank/grade. To calculate the rates, the 

AFMES collaborated with the DMDC to ascertain 

the twelve monthly end strengths for each of the 

three Components. The numerator for the rate 

was the number of suicides that occurred during 

the CY in the respective Component, Service, 

and demographic category configuration. The 

denominator was the average of the twelve monthly 

end strength totals for the same Component, 

Service, and demographic category configuration. 

In the next section, the formula is presented 

to clarify the rate calculation method. All rates 

associated with fewer than 20 suicides were 

suppressed because of the statistical instability of 

rates derived from such a small numerator.
19 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix A: Methods

Formula

The following formula was used to calculate the 

unadjusted suicide rate for the Active Component 

and the Reserve and National Guard Components 

of the SELRES.

Active Component crude suicide rate =

where “average population for CY 2013” was the 

sum of the average of the 12 monthly end strengths 

for each population. The populations used in each 

rate calculation were as follows:

• Active Component suicide rate 

 o Air Force

 o Army

 o Marine Corps

 o Navy

• Reserve Component of the SELRES

 o Air Force Reserve

 o Army Reserve

 o Marine Corps Reserve

 o Navy Reserve

• National Guard Component of the SELRES

 o Air National Guard

 o Army National Guard

Number of suicides during CY 2013

Average population for CY 2013 

x 100,000
20

Appendix A: Methods

Additional DoDSER Data Sources

In addition to the aforementioned items collected 

in the DoDSER form, data were collected from 

enterprise sources to improve completeness and 

accuracy of several items. The AFMES provided 

data on toxicology and cause of death for the 

suicides included in the DoDSER chapter of this 

report. The DMDC queried data from the Defense 

Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to provide 

demographic information for all events submitted 

to the DoDSER system for CY 2013. In addition, 

the DMDC provided data from the Contingency 

Tracking System, which provided the official 

records for deployment. In the case of missing or 

unavailable data in the enterprise data sources for 

an individual, data from the DoDSER report were 

used in generating the final variables to use in the 

analysis.

Interpretive Considerations

This report provides a broad presentation of 

DoDSER items to support a wide variety of needs. 

Given that the surveillance system is designed to 

collect descriptive data and that we do not have a 

prior hypotheses related to potential risk factors, we 

did not engage in formal statistical comparisons of 

DoDSER variables between event types, Services, 

or years. Additional factors such as multiple 

comparisons, nonindependence of events (e.g., 

one person has more than one suicide attempt 

during the calendar year), and the difficulty in doing 

precise adjustment for all known (and unknown) 

differences between populations further precluded 

the use of formal statistical testing. 

The data presented in this report are useful 

to characterize the nature of reported suicide 

events. It is not possible to determine statistically 

whether a given DoDSER variable is a risk or 

protective factor for suicide by relying solely on 

the data presented in this report. The variables 

included in the data collection process relate to 

risk and protective factors discussed in the suicide 

literature. To make a statistical inference about 

the contribution of any of these factors to the risk 

of suicide using the descriptive data in this report, 

data on the distribution of these variables in the 

population that gave rise to the suicide cases are 

needed. It is also important to consider how the 

“data unavailable” option that is provided for most 

DoDSER items may influence the interpretation 

of the results. The information required to answer 

some DoDSER items may have been available only 

for some respondents who benefited from detailed 

medical records or interviews with SMs who were 

familiar with the decedent’s history. Therefore, “data 

unavailable” responses were expected for some 

items. Percentages for many 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 of proportions of 

“yes” responses can be misleading. The content 

area of an item of interest should be taken in 

to account when results are interpreted. Some 

DoDSER items were objective and very reliable, 

whereas others were subjective, and this report 

reflected the best data available. Standardized 

coding guidance was available to DoDSER form 

completers. 

Graphics

In this report, graphics were included to display the 

prevalence of certain risk factors over the years 

of data collection using the DoDSER system. To 

provide a visual gauge of precision, we included 

95% confidence intervals for each of the prevalence 

estimates shown in the figures. The observed 

prevalence estimates for each year (percent) 

represent the number 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, “Standardized DoD 

Suicide Data and Reporting.” March 14, 2014. 
21

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix B

SUICIDE RATE TABLES
22

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

Table B1. Suicide counts and rates for Active, Reserve, and National Guard Component suicides, all Services, 2011 - 2013

2013 2012 2011

Component Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

All Services Active 259 18.7 319 22.7 267 18.7

Reserve2 87 23.4 73 19.3 69 18.1

National Guard2 133 28.9 130 28.1 116 24.8

Air Force Active 48 14.4 50 15.0 43 12.9

Reserve2 12 -- 4 -- 11 --

National Guard2 14 -- 20 19.1 17 --

Army Active 123 23.0 164 29.6 141 24.8

Reserve2 60 30.1 50 24.7 44 21.4

National Guard2 119 33.4 110 30.8 99 27.4

Marine Corps Active 45 23.1 48 24.3 31 15.4

Reserve2 11 -- 11 -- 7 --

Navy Active 43 13.4 57 17.8 52 15.9

Reserve2 4 -- 8 -- 7 --

1Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

2Includes SMs irrespective of duty status.

Referenced page 2
23

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table B2. Demographic characteristics and rates of all Active Component suicides, all Services, 2011 - 2013

Continued >> 

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

All 259 18.7 319 22.7 267 18.7

Sex Male 244 20.7 295 24.6 253 20.7

Female 15 -- 24 11.7 14 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 6 -- 4 -- 6 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 8 -- 13 -- 14 --

Black/African American 33 14.2 44 18.7 31 12.9

White/Caucasian 193 20.2 244 25.1 194 19.6

Other/Unknown 19 -- 14 -- 22 19.8

Ethnicity Hispanic 21 13.3 27 17.2 15 --

Non-Hispanic 231 19.5 287 23.8 250 20.4

Unknown 7 -- 5 -- 2 --

Age 17 - 19 14 -- 10 -- 12 --

20 - 24 95 21.9 120 27.1 96 20.7

25 - 29 74 22.1 89 25.6 84 23.7

30 - 34 32 14.5 49 22.1 24 11.0

35 - 39 26 16.8 32 20.3 31 19.3

40 - 44 10 -- 11 -- 16 --

45 - 74 8 -- 8 -- 4 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 1 -- 2 -- 0 --

E1-E4 126 21.2 162 26.6 138 22.0

E5-E9 110 20.5 124 22.8 108 19.6

Warrant officer 0 -- 6 -- 0 --

Commissioned officer 22 10.1 25 11.4 21 9.6

Education Some high school, did not graduate 1 -- 3 -- 5 --

High school equivalent 18 -- 27 50.0 30 46.4

High school graduate 168 19.6 214 24.2 173 18.7

Some college, no degree 18 -- 16 -- 12 --

Degree, <4 years 16 -- 18 -- 16 --

4-year degree 22 13.3 23 14.2 17 --

Masters degree or greater 6 -- 9 -- 6 --

Unknown 10 -- 9 -- 8 --
24

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

Marital status Never Married 108 19.3 134 24.1 111 19.7

Married 125 16.4 171 21.8 144 18.0

Legally Separated 2 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 22 36.7 14 -- 11 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 1 --

Unknown 2 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

Table B2. Demographic characteristics and rates of all Active Component suicides, all Services, 2011 - 2013 (cont.)

Referenced page 2
25

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table B3. Demographic characteristics and rates of suicide in the Reserve Component1 of the Selected Reserves, all 

Services, 2011 - 2013

Continued >> 

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate2 Count Rate2 Count Rate2

All 87 23.4 73 19.3 69 18.1

Sex Male 80 27.3 66 22.1 60 20.0

Female 7 -- 7 -- 9 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 1 -- 0 -- 1 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 7 -- 3 -- 0 --

Black/African American 8 -- 6 -- 11 --

White/Caucasian 67 26.1 59 22.5 54 20.4

Other/Unknown 4 -- 5 -- 3 --

Ethnicity Hispanic 4 -- 10 -- 4 --

Non-Hispanic 81 25.6 63 19.6 62 19.1

Data Unavailable 2 -- 0 -- 3 --

Age 17 - 19 6 -- 4 -- 1 --

20 - 24 22 26.7 27 31.9 27 31.8

25 - 29 19 -- 16 -- 13 --

30 - 34 14 -- 9 -- 8 --

35 - 39 9 -- 4 -- 5 --

40 - 44 8 -- 5 -- 6 --

45 - 74 9 -- 8 -- 9 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

E1-E4 47 29.7 42 26.5 36 23.1

E5-E9 26 17.7 21 13.8 27 17.2

Warrant officer 1 -- 0 -- 0 --

Commissioned officer 13 -- 10 -- 6 --

Education Some high school, did not graduate 4 -- 3 -- 2 --

High school equivalent 5 -- 5 -- 3 --

High school graduate 46 21.4 44 20.1 49 22.1

Some college, no degree 5 -- 5 -- 1 --

Degree, <4 years 6 -- 1 -- 3 --

4-year degree 16 -- 12 -- 10 --

Masters degree or greater 4 -- 3 -- 1 --

Unknown 1 -- 0 -- 0 --
26

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

Table B3. Demographic characteristics and rates of suicide in the Reserve Component1 of the Selected Reserves, all Services, 

2011 - 2013 (cont.)

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate2 Count Rate2 Count Rate2

Marital status Never Married 39 23.3 41 24.5 34 20.4

Married 37 21.1 25 13.9 31 16.9

Legally Separated 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 10 -- 7 -- 4 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Unknown 1 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Includes SMs in the Reserve Component of the SELRES, irrespective of duty status. 2Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details. 

Referenced page 2
27

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table B4. Demographic characteristics and rates of suicide in the National Guard Component1 of the Selected Reserves, Air Force & 

Army, 2011 - 2013

Continued >> 

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate2 Count Rate2 Count Rate2

All 133 28.9 130 28.1 116 24.8

Sex Male 127 32.9 123 31.6 112 28.3

Female 6 -- 7 -- 4 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 1 -- 1 -- 5 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 2 -- 3 -- 4 --

Black/African American 17 -- 9 -- 9 --

White/Caucasian 107 31.0 114 30.5 95 25.1

Other/Unknown 6 -- 3 -- 3 --

Ethnicity Hispanic 2 -- 4 -- 7 --

Non-Hispanic 130 30.7 126 29.6 109 25.3

Unknown 1 -- 0 -- 0 --

Age 17 - 19 6 -- 8 -- 5 --

20 - 24 44 38.7 37 32.1 35 30.0

25 - 29 34 37.6 24 26.5 30 32.5

30 - 34 18 -- 19 -- 14 --

35 - 39 10 -- 9 -- 9 --

40 - 44 13 -- 20 41.4 13 --

45 - 74 8 -- 13 -- 10 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

E1-E4 69 33.9 67 32.9 64 31.1

E5-E9 62 31.3 56 28.0 48 23.5

Warrant officer 0 -- 0 -- 2 --

Commissioned officer 2 -- 7 -- 2 --

Education Some high school, did not graduate 3 -- 4 -- 5 --

High school equivalent 20 65.3 14 -- 16 --

High school graduate 72 38.5 57 30.1 60 30.8

Some college, no degree 19 -- 28 25.3 23 19.5

Degree, <4 years 4 -- 5 -- 4 --

4-year degree 7 -- 13 -- 5 --

Masters degree or greater 1 -- 3 -- 1 --

Unknown 7 -- 6 -- 2 --

2013 2012 2011
28

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

Table B4. Demographic characteristics and rates of suicide in the National Guard Component1 of the Selected Reserves, Air Force & 

Army, 2011 - 2013 (cont.)

Count Rate2 Count Rate2 Count Rate2

Marital status Never Married 68 30.7 63 29.3 62 29.1

Married 54 26.0 55 25.6 48 21.8

Legally Separated 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 10 -- 12 -- 6 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Unknown 1 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Includes SMs in the National Guard Component of the SELRES, irrespective of duty status. SMs in the Inactive Ready Reserve were 

 not included.

2Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

Referenced page 2
29

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table B5. Demographic characteristics and rates of all Active Component Air Force suicides, 2011 - 2013

Continued >> 

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

All 48 14.4 50 15.0 43 12.9

Sex Male 44 16.3 45 16.7 39 14.4

Female 4 -- 5 -- 4 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 1 -- 1 -- 2 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 0 -- 3 -- 1 --

Black/African American 8 -- 1 -- 6 --

White/Caucasian 35 14.6 43 17.8 29 12.0

Other/Unknown 4 -- 2 -- 5 --

Ethnicity Hispanic 1 -- 0 -- 1 --

Non-Hispanic 45 14.5 49 15.7 42 13.4

Data Unavailable 2 -- 1 -- 0 --

Age 17 - 19 0 -- 2 -- 2 --

20 - 24 18 -- 24 25.3 18 --

25 - 29 17 -- 11 -- 13 --

30 - 34 5 -- 6 -- 1 --

35 - 39 5 -- 5 -- 7 --

40 - 45 3 -- 2 -- 2 --

46 - 79 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 1 -- 2 -- 0 --

E1-E4 22 18.3 26 21.7 21 17.7

E5-E9 22 15.3 20 13.8 16 --

Warrant officer 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Commissioned officer 3 -- 2 -- 6 --

Education Some high school, did not graduate 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

High school equivalent 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

High school graduate 38 20.6 35 18.5 31 16.1

Some college, no degree 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Degree, <4 years 5 -- 8 -- 5 --

4-year degree 2 -- 3 -- 4 --

Masters degree or greater 1 -- 2 -- 3 --

Data Unavailable 2 -- 2 -- 0 --

2013 2012 2011
30

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

Table B5. Demographic characteristics and rates of all Active Component Air Force suicides, 2011 - 2013 (cont.)

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

Marital status Never Married 21 17.7 29 24.5 16 --

Married 18 -- 16 -- 24 12.4

Legally Separated 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 8 -- 5 -- 3 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Unknown 1 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

Referenced page 2
31

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table B6. Demographic characteristics and rates of Active Component Army suicides, 2011 - 2013

Continued >> 

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

All 123 23.0 164 29.6 141 24.8

Sex Male 119 25.8 152 31.8 132 26.9

Female 4 -- 12 -- 9 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 3 -- 2 -- 0 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 5 -- 8 -- 10 --

Black/African American 17 -- 31 27.4 13 --

White/Caucasian 96 26.2 121 31.7 107 27.1

Other/Unknown 2 -- 2 -- 11 --

Ethnicity Hispanic 11 -- 10 -- 7 --

Non-Hispanic 112 24.2 153 31.8 134 27.1

Unknown 0 -- 1 -- 0 --

Age 17 - 19 5 -- 5 -- 7 --

20 - 24 45 29.0 49 30.4 45 26.6

25 - 29 37 28.8 51 36.7 48 33.3

30 - 34 15 -- 27 29.2 14 --

35 - 39 13 -- 21 32.3 15 --

40 - 44 3 -- 5 -- 11 --

45 - 79 5 -- 6 -- 1 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

E1-E4 67 28.9 81 32.9 77 29.4

E5-E9 44 22.1 64 31.4 55 26.8

Warrant officer 0 -- 6 -- 0 --

Commissioned officer 12 -- 13 -- 9 --

Education Some high school, did not graduate 1 -- 1 -- 4 --

High school equivalent 15 -- 23 57.0 22 45.3

High school graduate 68 22.8 100 31.4 82 23.8

Some college, no degree 14 -- 14 -- 9 --

Degree, <4 years 5 -- 6 -- 9 --

4-year degree 16 -- 13 -- 9 --

Masters degree or greater 2 -- 6 -- 1 --

Unknown 2 -- 1 -- 5 --

2013 2012 2011
32

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

Table B6. Demographic characteristics and rates of Active Component Army suicides, 2011 - 2013 (cont.)

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

Marital status Never Married 45 23.8 49 25.5 57 28.4

Married 66 21.1 106 32.3 75 22.5

Legally Separated 2 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 10 -- 9 -- 8 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 1 --

Unknown 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

Referenced page 2
33

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

All 45 23.1 48 24.3 31 15.4

Sex Male 42 23.3 45 24.5 31 16.5

Female 3 -- 3 -- 0 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 0 -- 1 -- 1 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 1 -- 1 -- 1 --

Black/African American 3 -- 8 -- 3 --

White/Caucasian 35 22.7 35 22.4 25 15.8

Other/Unknown 6 -- 3 -- 1 --

Ethnicity Hispanic 5 -- 5 -- 1 --

Non-Hispanic 40 24.4 43 25.5 30 17.3

Unknown 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Age 17 - 19 7 -- 3 -- 3 --

20 - 24 19 -- 27 31.1 19 --

25 - 29 10 -- 12 -- 6 --

30 - 34 6 -- 4 -- 2 --

35 - 39 1 -- 1 -- 0 --

40 - 44 1 -- 1 -- 0 --

45 - 74 1 -- 0 -- 1 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

E1-E4 27 23.4 36 31.4 20 17.1

E5-E9 16 -- 12 -- 9 --

Warrant officer 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Commissioned officer 2 -- 0 -- 2 --

Education Some high school, did not graduate 0 -- 2 -- 0 --

High school equivalent 2 -- 1 -- 4 --

High school graduate 35 21.9 40 24.7 24 14.5

Some college, no degree 2 -- 1 -- 0 --

Degree, <4 years 1 -- 1 -- 1 --

4-year degree 3 -- 0 -- 2 --

Masters degree or greater 2 -- 0 -- 0 --

Unknown 0 -- 3 -- 0 --

2013 2012 2011

Table B7. Demographic characteristics and rates of Active Component Marine Corps suicides, 2011 - 2013

Continued >> 
34

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

Marital status Never Married 19 -- 25 26.7 17 --

Married 22 24.1 23 24.0 14 --

Legally Separated 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 4 -- 0 -- 0 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Unknown 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

Table B7. Demographic characteristics and rates of Active Component Marine Corps suicides, 2011 - 2013 (cont.)

Referenced page 2
35

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Continued >> 

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

All 43 13.4 57 17.8 52 15.9

Sex Male 39 14.7 53 19.9 51 18.7

Female 4 -- 4 -- 1 --

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 2 -- 0 -- 3 --

Asian/Pacific Islander 2 -- 1 -- 2 --

Black/African American 5 -- 4 -- 9 --

White/Caucasian 27 14.0 45 23.3 33 16.6

Other/Unknown 7 -- 7 -- 5 --

Ethnicity Hispanic 4 -- 12 -- 6 --

Non-Hispanic 34 13.6 42 17.2 44 17.9

Unknown 5 -- 3 -- 2 --

Age 17 - 19 2 -- 0 -- 0 --

20 - 24 13 -- 20 19.8 14 --

25 - 29 10 -- 15 -- 17 --

30 - 34 6 -- 12 -- 7 --

35 - 39 7 -- 5 -- 9 --

40 - 44 3 -- 3 -- 3 --

45 - 74 2 -- 2 -- 2 --

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

E1-E4 10 -- 19 -- 20 15.2

E5-E9 28 20.7 28 21.0 28 20.4

Warrant officer 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Commissioned officer 5 -- 10 -- 4 --

Education Some high school, did not graduate 0 -- 0 -- 1 --

High school equivalent 1 -- 3 -- 4 --

High school graduate 27 12.5 39 18.0 36 16.2

Some college, no degree 2 -- 1 -- 3 --

Degree, <4 years 5 -- 3 -- 1 --

4-year degree 1 -- 7 -- 2 --

Masters degree or greater 1 -- 1 -- 2 --

Unknown 6 -- 3 -- 3 --

Table B8. Demographic characteristics and rates of Active Component Navy suicides, 2011 - 2013
36

Appendix B: Suicide Rate Tables

2013 2012 2011

Count Rate1 Count Rate1 Count Rate1

Marital status Never Married 23 14.8 31 20.5 21 13.8

Married 19 -- 26 15.5 31 17.8

Legally Separated 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Divorced 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Widowed 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

Unknown 1 -- 0 -- 0 --

1Rates per 100,000 SMs. All rates for categories with fewer than 20 categories were redacted from this report. See Appendix A for 

 more details.

Table B8. Demographic characteristics and rates of Active Component Navy suicides, 2011 - 2013 (cont.)

Referenced page 2
37

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix C 

TABLES FOR ALL 

SERVICES COMBINED
38

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 245 100.0 1,080 100.0

Sex Male 230 93.9 796 73.7

Female 15 6.1 284 26.3

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 4 1.6 17 1.6

Asian/Pacific Islander 9 3.7 50 4.6

Black/African American 33 13.5 171 15.8

White/Caucasian 185 75.5 799 74.0

Other/Unknown 14 5.7 43 4.0

Ethnicity Hispanic 19 7.8 122 11.3

Non-Hispanic 225 91.8 953 88.2

Data unavailable 1 0.4 5 0.5

Age Range 17 - 24 100 40.8 616 57.0

25 - 29 63 25.7 236 21.9

30 - 34 29 11.8 118 10.9

35 - 39 26 10.6 51 4.7

40 - 44 16 6.5 36 3.3

45 - 74 11 4.5 19 1.8

Data unavailable 0 0.0 4 0.4

Rank Cadet/Midshipman 1 0.4 2 0.2

E1-E4 112 45.7 737 68.2

E5-E9 109 44.5 299 27.7

Warrant officer 1 0.4 6 0.6

Commissioned officer 22 9.0 33 3.1

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 0.3

Component Active 224 91.4 1,030 95.4

Reserve 7 2.9 18 1.7

National Guard 14 5.7 32 3.0

Education Some high school, did not graduate 2 0.8 11 1.0

Alternative high school certification 13 5.3 70 6.5

High school graduate 161 65.7 803 74.4

Some college, no degree 36 14.7 129 11.9

Four-year degree 24 9.8 48 4.4

Masters degree or greater 8 3.3 14 1.3

Data unavailable 1 0.4 5 0.5

Table C1. Demographic characteristics1 of 2013 DoDSERs, all Services combined

Continued >> 
39

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Marital Status Never married 94 38.4 510 47.2

Married 125 51.0 499 46.2

Legally separated 2 0.8 5 0.5

Divorced 24 9.8 62 5.7

Widowed 0 0.0 1 0.1

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 0.3

1Demographic variables provided by the DMDC and augmented by the DoDSER for cases with unknown values in the DMDC's data. See 

 Appendix A for more information.

Table C1. Demographic characteristics1 of 2013 DoDSERs, all Services combined (cont.) 

Referenced page 4
40

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

Table C2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined

Continued >> 

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 245 100.0 1,080 100.0

Geographic location United States 221 90.2 937 86.8

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0

Afghanistan 7 2.9 23 2.1

Kuwait 1 0.4 3 0.3

Korea 2 0.8 19 1.8

Other Europe 2 0.8 4 0.4

North America 0 0.0 3 0.3

Japan 3 1.2 33 3.1

Germany 3 1.2 30 2.8

United Kingdom 2 0.8 3 0.3

Other 3 1.2 20 1.9

Data unavailable 1 0.4 5 0.5

Event setting Own residence 111 45.3 406 37.6

Barracks 39 15.9 465 43.1

Residence of friend or family 20 8.2 48 4.4

Work/jobsite 13 5.3 38 3.5

Automobile (away from residence) 27 11.0 46 4.3

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 7 0.6

Hotel 3 1.2 12 1.1

Other 32 13.1 54 5.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 4 0.4

Event method1,2 Drugs/alcohol 7 2.9 614 56.9

Hanging/asphyxiation 72 29.4 112 10.4

Poisoning 6 2.4 34 3.1

Firearm 149 60.8 79 7.3

Military issued firearm3,4 16 10.7 20 25.3

Not military issued firearm3,4 132 88.6 58 73.4

Firearm of unknown origin3,4 1 0.7 1 1.3

Falling/jumping 5 2.0 11 1.0

Sharp/blunt object5 -- -- 166 15.4

Other 6 2.4 52 4.8

Data unavailable 0 0.0 12 1.1

Alcohol used during event1 Yes 94 38.4 367 34.0

No 136 55.5 644 59.6

Data unavailable 15 6.1 69 6.4

Suicide Suicide Attempt
41

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table C2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services 

combined (cont.)

Count % Count %

Drugs used during event1 Yes 62 25.3 584 54.1

Illicit drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 32 5.5

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

4 6.5 17 2.9

Inhalants6,7 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 -- --

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

2 3.2 -- --

Prescription drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 7 11.3 366 62.7

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

34 54.8 74 12.7

OTC drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 1 1.6 168 28.8

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

22 35.5 35 6.0

No 169 69.0 455 42.1

Data unavailable 14 5.7 41 3.8

Both alcohol and drugs used during event1 Yes 21 8.6 215 19.9

No 207 84.5 783 72.5

Data unavailable 17 6.9 82 7.6

Communicated potential for self-harm Yes 68 27.8 247 22.9

Mode6 Written3 7 10.3 13 5.3

Verbal3 45 66.2 163 66.0

Electronic3 25 36.8 82 33.2

Other3 2 2.9 4 1.6

Number of types of recipients One3 51 75.0 195 78.9

Two3 14 20.6 38 15.4

Three or more3 3 4.4 13 5.3

Unknown number3 0 0.0 1 0.4

Recipients6 Supervisor3 3 4.4 38 15.4

Chaplain3 0 0.0 7 2.8

Mental Health Staff3 13 19.1 43 17.4

Friend3 26 38.2 92 37.2

Spouse/significant other3 29 42.6 86 34.8

Family3 8 11.8 25 10.1

Social Media3 1 1.5 6 2.4

Colleague3 2 2.9 6 2.4

Other3 8 11.8 11 4.5

No 149 60.8 752 69.6

Data unavailable 28 11.4 81 7.5

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 
42

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

Table C2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services 

combined (cont.)

Death risk gambling Yes 1 0.4 20 1.9

No 217 88.6 1,032 95.6

Data unavailable 27 11.0 28 2.6

Event planned Yes 106 43.3 280 25.9

No 71 29.0 660 61.1

Data unavailable 68 27.8 140 13.0

Event observable Yes 40 16.3 433 40.1

No 185 75.5 584 54.1

Data unavailable 20 8.2 63 5.8

Left suicide note Yes 72 29.4 135 12.5

No 140 57.1 894 82.8

Data unavailable 33 13.5 51 4.7

Residence Shared military living environment 55 22.4 478 44.3

Bachelor quarters 16 6.5 45 4.2

On-base family housing 25 10.2 79 7.3

Private residence 126 51.4 392 36.3

Ship 2 0.8 3 0.3

Other 12 4.9 50 4.6

Data unavailable 9 3.7 33 3.1

Married service member residence Not married 131 53.5 655 60.6

Married, resides with spouse 58 23.7 239 22.1

Married, not living together, relationship 

issues

26 10.6 111 10.3

Married, not living together, other reasons 21 8.6 57 5.3

Data unavailable 9 3.7 18 1.7

Service member resided alone Yes 81 33.1 423 39.2

No 147 60.0 583 54.0

Data unavailable 17 6.9 74 6.9

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 
43

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table C2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services 

combined (cont.)

Had minor children Yes, lived with SM 43 17.6 167 15.5

Yes, did not live with SM 48 19.6 170 15.7

No children 142 58.0 695 64.4

Data unavailable 12 4.9 48 4.4

Firearm in immediate environment Yes 130 53.1 146 13.5

No 72 29.4 830 76.9

Data unavailable 43 17.6 104 9.6

Duty status at time of event6 Permanent duty station 176 71.8 767 71.0

Leave 24 9.8 40 3.7

TDY 5 2.0 5 0.5

Deployed 13 5.3 37 3.4

Training 10 4.1 77 7.1

Psychiatric Hospitalization 1 0.4 9 0.8

Medical Hold 9 3.7 36 3.3

Other 30 12.2 108 10.0

Data unavailable 12 4.9 59 5.5

1Data on cause of death and toxicology provided by the AFMES for suicide decedents.

2Event method categories were aligned with the National Center for Health Statistics' standard for cause of death categories. 

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4Data on the source of the firearm are from the DoDSER reports filed for the suicide decedents.

5This category is specific to nonfatal events since it is not a unique reporting category per the National Center for Health Statistics.

6SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

7Inhalants were reported as a separate category of drug use for suicides in the toxicology data but were not a separate reporting category in 

 the DoDSER for any event type.

Referenced page 4
44

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

Continued >> 

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 245 100.0 1,080 100.0

Behavioral health diagnosis Yes 97 39.6 637 59.0

Number of diagnoses One1 51 52.6 317 49.8

Two1 32 33.0 242 38.0

Three or more1 14 14.4 78 12.2

Specific diagnoses Mood disorder1,2 58 59.8 382 60.0

Bipolar1,2 4 6.9 23 6.0

Major depression1,2 32 55.2 270 70.7

Dysthymic1,2 7 12.1 28 7.3

Other mood disorder1,2 20 34.5 86 22.5

Unspecified mood disorder1,2 6 10.3 26 6.8

Anxiety disorder1,2 37 38.1 320 50.2

Posttraumatic stress1,2 15 40.5 176 55.0

Panic1,2 0 0.0 20 6.3

Generalized anxiety1,2 10 27.0 92 28.8

Acute stress1,2 2 5.4 14 4.4

Other anxiety disorder1,2 19 51.4 86 26.9

Unspecified anxiety disorder1,2 2 5.4 14 4.4

Personality disorder1,2 5 5.2 78 12.2

Psychotic disorder1,2 4 4.1 11 1.7

Adjustment disorder1,2 55 56.7 253 39.7

No 140 57.1 410 38.0

Data unavailable 8 3.3 33 3.1

Sleep disorder Yes 30 12.2 135 12.5

No 204 83.3 889 82.3

Data unavailable 11 4.5 56 5.2

History of substance abuse Yes 52 21.2 313 29.0

No 176 71.8 704 65.2

Data unavailable 17 6.9 63 5.8

Traumatic brain injury Yes 12 4.9 66 6.1

No 222 90.6 961 89.0

Data unavailable 11 4.5 53 4.9

Table C3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 suicide 

and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined
45

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

History of prior self-injury Yes 24 9.8 303 28.1

Number of prior self injuries One prior event1 15 62.5 164 54.1

More than one prior event1 8 33.3 138 45.5

Unknown number of events1 1 4.2 1 0.3

Current event similar to prior self 

injury1

6 25.0 163 53.8

No 194 79.2 698 64.6

Data unavailable 27 11.0 79 7.3

Family history of behavioral health conditions Yes 33 13.5 315 29.2

No 121 49.4 627 58.1

Data unavailable 91 37.1 138 12.8

Ever taken psychotropic medications Yes 65 26.5 447 41.4

No 151 61.6 571 52.9

Data unavailable 29 11.8 62 5.7

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days Yes 47 19.2 371 34.4

Antidepressants1,2 35 74.5 306 82.5

Anxiolytics1,2 24 51.1 153 41.2

Antimanics1,2 2 4.3 9 2.4

Anticonvulsants1,2 3 6.4 11 3.0

Antipsychotics1,2 6 12.8 39 10.5

Sleep medications1,2 24 51.1 190 51.2

No 168 68.6 647 59.9

Data unavailable 30 12.2 62 5.7

Pain medication at time of the event Yes 24 9.8 168 15.6

Opioids, last 90 days1 10 41.7 51 30.4

No 176 71.8 830 76.9

Data unavailable 45 18.4 82 7.6

Polypharmacy at time of the event Yes 22 9.0 128 11.9

No 184 75.1 854 79.1

Data unavailable 39 15.9 98 9.1

Table C3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 suicide 

and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined (cont.)

Continued >> 
46

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Accession of medical/support services, last 90 

days

Yes 141 57.6 747 69.2

Military Treatment Facility1,2 131 92.9 559 74.8

Substance Abuse Services1,2 18 12.8 144 19.3

Family Advocacy Program1,2 12 8.5 41 5.5

Outpatient behavioral health1,2 74 52.5 546 73.1

Inpatient behavioral health1,2 14 9.9 151 20.2

No 102 41.6 314 29.1

Data unavailable 2 0.8 19 1.8

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table C3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 suicide 

and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined (cont.)

Referenced page 5
47

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Continued >> 

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 245 100.0 1,080 100.0

Failed relationship, last 90 days Yes 110 44.9 442 40.9

Failed intimate relationship1,2 95 86.4 398 90.0

Failed non-intimate relationship1,2 36 32.7 113 25.6

No 111 45.3 589 54.5

Data unavailable 24 9.8 49 4.5

Loss or illness of a loved one, last 90 days Yes 15 6.1 119 11.0

Death of spouse or family member1,2 6 40.0 53 44.5

Death of friend1,2 3 20.0 33 27.7

Family/spouse illness1,2 6 40.0 53 44.5

No 200 81.6 898 83.1

Data unavailable 30 12.2 63 5.8

History of suicide of friend or family members, 

any time

Yes 25 10.2 170 15.7

Spouse suicide1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Family suicide1,2 17 68.0 86 50.6

Friend suicide1,2 9 36.0 100 58.8

No 205 83.7 873 80.8

Data unavailable 15 6.1 37 3.4

History of administrative/legal issues, last 90 

days

Yes 74 30.2 329 30.5

Courts martial proceedings1,2 12 16.2 23 7.0

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment1,2 26 35.1 135 41.0

Administrative separation1,2 12 16.2 93 28.3

AWOL1,2 8 10.8 27 8.2

Medical evaluation board1,2 15 20.3 88 26.7

Civil legal problems1,2 23 31.1 60 18.2

Non-selection for promotion1,2 11 14.9 36 10.9

Under investigation1,2 11 14.9 9 2.7

No 163 66.5 726 67.2

Data unavailable 8 3.3 25 2.3

Any financial or workplace difficulties, last 90 

days

Yes 58 23.7 420 38.9

Excessive debt or bankruptcy1,2 13 22.4 73 17.4

Job problems1,2 40 69.0 278 66.2

Supervisor/coworker issues1,2 21 36.2 254 60.5

Poor performance review1,2 18 31.0 129 30.7

Unit/workplace hazing1,2 2 3.4 49 11.7

No 166 67.8 596 55.2

Data unavailable 21 8.6 64 5.9

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table C4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace conflicts, 

and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined 
48

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

Count % Count %

Abuse victimization history, any time Yes 23 9.4 362 33.5

Physical abuse1,2 17 73.9 217 59.9

Sexual abuse1,2 8 34.8 190 52.5

Emotional abuse1,2 14 60.9 234 64.6

Sexual harassment1,2 1 4.3 50 13.8

No 187 76.3 645 59.7

Data unavailable 35 14.3 73 6.8

Abuse perpetration history, any time Yes 34 13.9 91 8.4

Physical abuse1,2 18 52.9 48 52.7

Sexual abuse1,2 17 50.0 17 18.7

Emotional abuse1,2 8 23.5 43 47.3

Sexual harassment1,2 4 11.8 8 8.8

No 180 73.5 918 85.0

Data unavailable 31 12.7 71 6.6

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table C4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace conflicts, 

and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined (cont.)

Referenced page 5
49

Appendix C: Tables for All Services Combined

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 245 100.0 1,080 100.0

History of deployment1 Yes 163 66.5 510 47.2

Number of deployments One3 82 50.3 243 47.6

Two3 43 26.4 170 33.3

Three or more3 38 23.3 97 19.0

No 80 32.7 542 50.2

Data unavailable 2 0.8 28 2.6

Ever deployed OIF/OEF/OND1 Yes 159 64.9 498 46.1

Iraq3,4 62 39.0 226 45.4

Afghanistan3,4 86 54.1 283 56.8

Kuwait3,4 81 50.9 302 60.6

No 81 33.1 550 50.9

Data unavailable 5 2.0 32 3.0

Events in theater1 Yes 13 5.3 37 3.4

Afghanistan3 7 53.8 22 59.5

Kuwait3 1 7.7 2 5.4

Other theater location3 5 38.5 13 35.1

No 230 93.9 1,015 94.0

Data unavailable 2 0.8 28 2.6

History of direct combat2 Yes 36 14.7 210 19.4

Wounded others combat3,4 18 50.0 157 74.8

Service member wounded in 

combat3,4

4 11.1 65 31.0

Witnessed killing3,4 11 30.6 164 78.1

Saw bodies of other soldiers3,4 9 25.0 157 74.8

Killed others in combat3,4 6 16.7 98 46.7

No 140 57.1 737 68.2

Data unavailable 69 28.2 133 12.3

1Deployment data provided by the DMDC for all event types.

2Data on combat exposure were reported in the DoDSER.

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table C5. Deployment and direct combat history for all 2013 suicide and suicide attempt DoDSERs, all Services combined

Referenced page 5
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
51

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix D 

AIR FORCE DODSER 

TABLES
52

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 43 100.0 259 100.0

Sex Male 39 90.7 162 62.5

Female 4 9.3 97 37.5

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 0 0.0 2 0.8

Asian/Pacific Islander 0 0.0 8 3.1

Black/African American 7 16.3 43 16.6

White/Caucasian 34 79.1 188 72.6

Other/Unknown 2 4.7 18 6.9

Ethnicity Hispanic 1 2.3 16 6.2

Non-Hispanic 42 97.7 242 93.4

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

Age Range 17 - 24 18 41.9 141 54.4

25 - 29 15 34.9 59 22.8

30 - 34 3 7.0 33 12.7

35 - 39 3 7.0 14 5.4

40 - 44 4 9.3 8 3.1

45 - 74 0 0.0 4 1.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Rank Cadet/Midshipman 1 2.3 2 0.8

E1-E4 21 48.8 167 64.5

E5-E9 19 44.2 78 30.1

Warrant officer 0 0.0 0 0.0

Commissioned officer 2 4.7 12 4.6

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Component Active 40 93.0 253 97.7

Reserve 1 2.3 0 0.0

National Guard 2 4.7 6 2.3

Education Some high school, did not graduate 0 0.0 1 0.4

Alternative high school certification 0 0.0 2 0.8

High school graduate 33 76.7 191 73.7

Some college, no degree 7 16.3 42 16.2

Four-year degree 1 2.3 15 5.8

Masters degree or greater 1 2.3 7 2.7

Data unavailable 1 2.3 1 0.4

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table D1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs

Continued >> 
53

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

Marital Status Never married 19 44.2 130 50.2

Married 15 34.9 108 41.7

Legally separated 1 2.3 0 0.0

Divorced 8 18.6 21 8.1

Widowed 0 0.0 0 0.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

1Demographic variables provided by the DMDC and augmented by the DoDSER for cases with unknown values in the DMDC’s data. See 

 Appendix A for more information.

Table D1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 7
54

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

Table D2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs 

Continued >> 

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 43 100.0 259 100.0

Geographic location United States 41 95.3 213 82.2

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0

Afghanistan 0 0.0 1 0.4

Kuwait 0 0.0 1 0.4

Korea 0 0.0 8 3.1

Other Europe 0 0.0 2 0.8

North America 0 0.0 1 0.4

Japan 0 0.0 7 2.7

Germany 0 0.0 10 3.9

United Kingdom 2 4.7 3 1.2

Shipboard 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other 0 0.0 12 4.6

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

Event setting Own residence 20 46.5 127 49.0

Barracks 5 11.6 82 31.7

Residence of friend or family 5 11.6 13 5.0

Work/jobsite 0 0.0 7 2.7

Automobile (away from residence) 8 18.6 13 5.0

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 2 0.8

Hotel 2 4.7 6 2.3

Other 3 7.0 9 3.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Event method1,2 Drugs/alcohol 3 7.0 156 60.2

Hanging/asphyxiation 9 20.9 22 8.5

Poisoning 3 7.0 6 2.3

Firearm 27 62.8 13 5.0

Military issued firearm3,4 1 3.7 2 15.4

Not military issued firearm3,4 26 96.3 10 76.9

Firearm of unknown origin3,4 0 0.0 1 7.7

Falling/jumping 0 0.0 3 1.2

Sharp/blunt object5 -- -- 44 17.0

Other 1 2.3 10 3.9

Data unavailable 0 0.0 5 1.9

Suicide Suicide Attempt
55

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table D2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs (cont.)

Count % Count %

Alcohol used during event1 Yes 23 53.5 107 41.3

No 16 37.2 145 56.0

Data unavailable 4 9.3 7 2.7

Drugs used during event1 Yes 13 30.2 157 60.6

Illicit drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 9 5.7

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

0 0.0 1 0.6

Inhalants6,7 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 -- --

Used, not cause of death/no overdose3 0 0.0 -- --

Prescription drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 4 30.8 101 64.3

Used, not cause of death/no overdose3 6 46.2 19 12.1

OTC drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 46 29.3

Used, not cause of death/no overdose3 4 30.8 13 8.3

No 26 60.5 98 37.8

Data unavailable 4 9.3 4 1.5

Both alcohol and drugs used during event1 Yes 6 14.0 68 26.3

No 32 74.4 183 70.7

Data unavailable 5 11.6 8 3.1

Communicated potential for self-harm Yes 10 23.3 85 32.8

Mode6 Written3 2 20.0 2 2.4

Verbal3 6 60.0 59 69.4

Electronic3 4 40.0 31 36.5

Other3 0 0.0 3 3.5

Number of types of recipients One3 8 80.0 64 75.3

Two3 2 20.0 17 20.0

Three or more3 0 0.0 3 3.5

Unknown number3 0 0.0 1 1.2

Recipients6 Supervisor3 1 10.0 9 10.6

Chaplain3 0 0.0 3 3.5

Mental Health Staff3 2 20.0 12 14.1

Friend3 3 30.0 39 45.9

Spouse/significant other3 3 30.0 25 29.4

Family3 1 10.0 12 14.1

Social Media3 0 0.0 2 2.4

Colleague3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other3 2 20.0 5 5.9

No 28 65.1 163 62.9

Data unavailable 5 11.6 11 4.2

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 
56

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

Death risk gambling Yes 0 0.0 6 2.3

No 40 93.0 250 96.5

Data unavailable 3 7.0 3 1.2

Event planned Yes 22 51.2 64 24.7

No 13 30.2 176 68.0

Data unavailable 8 18.6 19 7.3

Event observable Yes 4 9.3 90 34.7

No 37 86.0 160 61.8

Data unavailable 2 4.7 9 3.5

Left suicide note Yes 19 44.2 45 17.4

No 21 48.8 204 78.8

Data unavailable 3 7.0 10 3.9

Residence Shared military living environment 4 9.3 84 32.4

Bachelor quarters 1 2.3 11 4.2

On-base family housing 3 7.0 25 9.7

Private residence 32 74.4 127 49.0

Ship 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other 3 7.0 9 3.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 1.2

Married Service member residence Not married 29 67.4 172 66.4

Married, resides with spouse 11 25.6 49 18.9

Married, not living together, relationship 

issues

3 7.0 24 9.3

Married, not living together, other reasons 0 0.0 13 5.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

Service member resided alone Yes 17 39.5 145 56.0

No 26 60.5 109 42.1

Data unavailable 0 0.0 5 1.9

Had minor children Yes, lived with SM 8 18.6 42 16.2

Yes, did not live with SM 6 14.0 26 10.0

No children 29 67.4 184 71.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 7 2.7

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Table D2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs (cont.)

Continued >> 
57

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Firearm in immediate environment Yes 23 53.5 39 15.1

No 18 41.9 209 80.7

Data unavailable 2 4.7 11 4.2

Duty status at time of event6 Permanent duty station 34 79.1 215 83.0

Leave 5 11.6 11 4.2

TDY 1 2.3 0 0.0

Deployed 0 0.0 5 1.9

Training 1 2.3 3 1.2

Psychiatric Hospitalization 0 0.0 2 0.8

Medical Hold 0 0.0 6 2.3

Other 8 18.6 23 8.9

Data unavailable 0 0.0 6 2.3

1Data on cause of death and toxicology provided by the AFMES for suicide decedents.

2Event method categories were aligned with the National Center for Health Statistics’ standard for cause of death categories. 

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4Data on the source of the firearm are from the DoDSER reports filed for the suicide decedents.

5This category is specific to nonfatal events since it is not a unique reporting category per the National Center for Health Statistics.

6SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

7Inhalants were reported as a separate category of drug use for suicides in the toxicology data but were not a separate reporting category in 

 the DoDSER for any event type.

Table D2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 7
58

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 43 100.0 259 100.0

Behavioral health diagnosis Yes 17 39.5 163 62.9

Number of diagnoses One1 11 64.7 80 49.1

Two1 4 23.5 60 36.8

Three or more1 2 11.8 23 14.1

Specific diagnoses Mood disorder1,2 8 47.1 91 55.8

Bipolar1,2 0 0.0 5 5.5

Major depression1,2 4 50.0 61 67.0

Dysthymic1,2 3 37.5 10 11.0

Unspecified mood disorder1,2 1 12.5 25 27.5

Other mood disorder1,2 0 0.0 5 5.5

Anxiety disorder1,2 8 47.1 80 49.1

Posttraumatic stress1,2 2 25.0 43 53.8

Panic1,2 0 0.0 5 6.3

Generalized anxiety1,2 2 25.0 20 25.0

Acute stress1,2 1 12.5 4 5.0

Other anxiety disorder1,2 5 62.5 26 32.5

Unspecified anxiety disorder1,2 0 0.0 3 3.8

Personality disorder1,2 2 11.8 24 14.7

Psychotic disorder1,2 0 0.0 2 1.2

Adjustment disorder1,2 8 47.1 73 44.8

No 26 60.5 95 36.7

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

Sleep disorder Yes 6 14.0 27 10.4

No 36 83.7 227 87.6

Data unavailable 1 2.3 5 1.9

History of substance abuse Yes 8 18.6 65 25.1

No 35 81.4 191 73.7

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 1.2

Traumatic brain injury Yes 0 0.0 6 2.3

No 42 97.7 248 95.8

Data unavailable 1 2.3 5 1.9

Table D3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 Air Force 

DoDSERs

Continued >> 
59

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Family history of behavioral health conditions Yes 11 25.6 89 34.4

No 20 46.5 149 57.5

Data unavailable 12 27.9 21 8.1

History of prior self-injury Yes 1 2.3 71 27.4

One prior event1 1 100.0 42 59.2

More than one prior event1 0 0.0 29 40.8

Unknown number of events1 0 0.0 0 0.0

Current event similar to prior self 

injury1

1 100.0 31 43.7

No 37 86.0 177 68.3

Data unavailable 5 11.6 11 4.2

Ever taken psychotropic medications Yes 14 32.6 128 49.4

No 28 65.1 128 49.4

Data unavailable 1 2.3 3 1.2

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days Yes 9 20.9 103 39.8

Antidepressants1,2 8 88.9 81 78.6

Anxiolytics1,2 5 55.6 47 45.6

Antimanics1,2 0 0.0 2 1.9

Anticonvulsants1,2 0 0.0 1 1.0

Antipsychotics1,2 1 11.1 7 6.8

Sleep medications1,2 4 44.4 54 52.4

No 32 74.4 153 59.1

Data unavailable 2 4.7 3 1.2

Pain medication at time of the event Yes 3 7.0 44 17.0

Opioids, last 90 days1 1 33.3 14 31.8

No 32 74.4 206 79.5

Data unavailable 8 18.6 9 3.5

Polypharmacy at time of the event Yes 3 7.0 24 9.3

No 36 83.7 219 84.6

Data unavailable 4 9.3 16 6.2

Table D3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 Air Force 

DoDSERs (cont.)

Continued >> 
60

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Accession of medical/support services, last 90 

days

Yes 33 76.7 197 76.1

Military Treatment Facility1,2 33 100.0 178 90.4

Substance Abuse Services1,2 4 12.1 36 18.3

Family Advocacy Program1,2 3 9.1 10 5.1

Outpatient behavioral health1,2 14 42.4 128 65.0

Inpatient behavioral health1,2 1 3.0 36 18.3

No 10 23.3 62 23.9

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table D3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 Air Force 

DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 8
61

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 43 100.0 259 100.0

Failed relationship, last 90 days Yes 23 53.5 123 47.5

Failed intimate relationship1,2 21 91.3 103 83.7

Failed non-intimate relationship1,2 9 39.1 35 28.5

No 16 37.2 132 51.0

Data unavailable 4 9.3 4 1.5

Loss or illness of a loved one, last 90 days Yes 3 7.0 38 14.7

Death of spouse or family member 1,2 0 0.0 14 36.8

Death of friend1,2 0 0.0 9 23.7

Family/spouse illness1,2 3 100.0 19 50.0

No 38 88.4 217 83.8

Data unavailable 2 4.7 4 1.5

History of suicide of friend or family members Yes 2 4.7 43 16.6

Spouse suicide1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Family suicide1,2 0 0.0 25 58.1

Friend suicide1,2 2 100.0 26 60.5

No 40 93.0 213 82.2

Data unavailable 1 2.3 3 1.2

History of administrative/legal issues, last 90 

days

Yes 12 27.9 79 30.5

Courts martial proceedings1,2 4 33.3 6 7.6

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment1,2 5 41.7 26 32.9

Administrative separation1,2 1 8.3 21 26.6

AWOL1,2 4 33.3 2 2.5

Medical evaluation board1,2 1 8.3 22 27.8

Civil legal problems1,2 5 41.7 23 29.1

Non-selection for promotion1,2 1 8.3 12 15.2

Under investigation1,2 4 33.3 3 3.8

No 30 69.8 179 69.1

Data unavailable 1 2.3 1 0.4

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table D4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs

Continued >> 
62

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

Count % Count %

Any financial or workplace difficulties, last 90 

days

Yes 14 32.6 111 42.9

Excessive debt or bankruptcy1,2 6 42.9 21 18.9

Job problems1,2 9 64.3 73 65.8

Supervisor/coworker issues1,2 6 42.9 64 57.7

Poor performance review1,2 4 28.6 32 28.8

Unit/workplace hazing1,2 1 7.1 9 8.1

No 28 65.1 144 55.6

Data unavailable 1 2.3 4 1.5

Abuse victimization history Yes 7 16.3 95 36.7

Physical abuse1,2 5 71.4 49 51.6

Sexual abuse1,2 5 71.4 57 60.0

Emotional abuse1,2 4 57.1 54 56.8

Sexual harassment1,2 1 14.3 18 18.9

No 33 76.7 157 60.6

Data unavailable 3 7.0 7 2.7

Abuse perpetration history Yes 7 16.3 29 11.2

Physical abuse1,2 3 42.9 16 55.2

Sexual abuse1,2 2 28.6 7 24.1

Emotional abuse1,2 3 42.9 9 31.0

Sexual harassment1,2 0 0.0 3 10.3

No 32 74.4 222 85.7

Data unavailable 4 9.3 8 3.1

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table D4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 8
63

Appendix D: Air Force Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 43 100.0 259 100.0

History of deployment1 Yes 22 51.2 105 40.5

Number of deployments One3 12 54.5 45 42.9

Two3 5 22.7 30 28.6

Three or more3 5 22.7 30 28.6

No 20 46.5 148 57.1

Data unavailable 1 2.3 6 2.3

Ever deployed OIF/OEF/OND1 Yes 20 46.5 100 38.6

Iraq3,4 4 20.0 34 34.0

Afghanistan3,4 5 25.0 20 20.0

Kuwait3,4 4 20.0 25 25.0

No 20 46.5 151 58.3

Data unavailable 3 7.0 8 3.1

Events in theater1 Yes 0 0.0 5 1.9

Afghanistan3 0 0 1 20.0

Kuwait3 0 0 0 0.0

Other theater location3 0 0 4 80.0

No 43 100.0 248 95.8

Data unavailable 0 0.0 6 2.3

History of direct combat2 Yes 2 4.7 24 9.3

Wounded others combat3,4 1 50.0 13 54.2

Service member wounded in 

combat3,4

1 50.0 2 8.3

Witnessed killing3,4 0 0.0 16 66.7

Saw bodies of other soldiers3,4 0 0.0 15 62.5

Killed others in combat3,4 0 0.0 6 25.0

No 33 76.7 213 82.2

Data unavailable 8 18.6 22 8.5

1Deployment data provided by the DMDC for all event types.

2Data on combat exposure were reported in the DoDSER.

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table D5. Deployment and direct combat history for all 2013 Air Force DoDSERs

Referenced page 8
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
65

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix E 

ARMY DoDSER 

TABLES
66

Appendix E: Army Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

All 115 100.0 491 100.0 231 100.0 989 100.0

Sex Male 111 96.5 381 77.6 165 71.4 791 80.0

Female 4 3.5 110 22.4 66 28.6 198 20.0

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 2 1.7 6 1.2 3 1.3 15 1.5

Asian/Pacific Islander 6 5.2 27 5.5 11 4.8 62 6.3

Black/African American 18 15.7 89 18.1 46 19.9 192 19.4

White/Caucasian 85 73.9 362 73.7 166 71.9 708 71.6

Other/Unknown 4 3.5 7 1.4 5 2.2 12 1.2

Ethnicity Hispanic 9 7.8 52 10.6 26 11.3 122 12.3

Non-Hispanic 106 92.2 436 88.8 202 87.4 859 86.9

Unknown 0 0 3 0.6 3 1.3 8 0.8

Age Range 17 - 24 41 35.7 246 50.1 131 56.7 512 51.8

25 - 29 29 25.2 119 24.2 53 22.9 218 22.0

30 - 34 15 13.0 64 13.0 28 12.1 114 11.5

35 - 39 15 13.0 28 5.7 15 6.5 71 7.2

40 - 44 7 6.1 21 4.3 3 1.3 47 4.8

45 - 74 8 7.0 13 2.6 1 0.4 27 2.7

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Rank Cadet/Midshipman 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

E1-E4 55 47.8 320 65.2 175 75.8 672 67.9

E5-E9 47 40.9 145 29.5 44 19.0 263 26.6

Warrant officer 1 0.9 6 1.2 3 1.3 10 1.0

Commissioned officer 12 10.4 17 3.5 8 3.5 40 4.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 0.6 1 0.4 4 0.4

Component Active 98 85.2 456 92.9 213 92.2 906 91.6

Reserve 5 4.3 9 1.8 6 2.6 28 2.8

National Guard 12 10.4 26 5.3 12 5.2 55 5.6

Education Some high school, did not 

graduate

2 1.7 7 1.4 5 2.2 18 1.8

Alternative high school 

certification

10 8.7 61 12.4 41 17.7 97 9.8

High school graduate 65 56.5 315 64.2 144 62.3 680 68.8

Some college, no degree 20 17.4 76 15.5 24 10.4 116 11.7

Four-year degree 16 13.9 26 5.3 15 6.5 60 6.1

Masters degree or greater 2 1.7 6 1.2 2 0.9 15 1.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 0.3

Table E1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Army DoDSERs

Continued >> 
67

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Marital Status Never married 35 30.4 178 36.3 109 47.2 444 44.9

Married 68 59.1 274 55.8 97 42.0 487 49.2

Legally separated 1 0.9 4 0.8 0 0.0 1 0.1

Divorced 11 9.6 34 6.9 24 10.4 55 5.6

Widowed 0 0.0 1 0.2 1 0.4 1 0.1

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.1

1Demographic variables provided by the DMDC and augmented by the DoDSER for cases with unknown values in the DMDC’s data. See 

 Appendix A for more information.

Table E1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Army DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 9
68

Appendix E: Army Tables

Continued >> 

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

All 115 100.0 491 100.0 231 100.0 989 100.0

Geographic location United States 102 89.6 439 89.4 199 86.1 863 87.3

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.1

Afghanistan 4 3.5 13 2.7 0 0.0 13 1.3

Kuwait 1 0.9 1 0.2 0 0.0 2 0.2

Korea 2 1.7 11 2.2 15 6.5 40 4.0

Other Europe 0 0.0 1 0.2 0 0.0 3 0.3

North America 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.4 1 0.1

Japan 1 0.9 1 0.2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Germany 3 2.6 19 3.9 14 6.1 53 5.4

United Kingdom 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Shipboard 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other 1 0.9 4 0.8 0 0.0 6 0.6

Data unavailable 1 0.9 2 0.4 2 0.9 7 0.7

Event setting Own residence 56 48.7 181 36.9 82 35.5 292 29.5

Barracks 21 18.3 213 43.4 101 43.7 366 37.0

Residence of friend or 

family

8 7.0 21 4.3 10 4.3 28 2.8

Work/jobsite 4 3.5 13 2.6 8 3.5 83 8.4

Automobile (away from 

residence)

14 12.2 22 4.5 5 2.2 27 2.7

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 3 0.6 1 0.4 3 0.3

Hotel 0 0.0 5 1.0 1 0.4 5 0.5

Other 12 10.4 30 6.1 21 9.1 178 18.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 0.6 2 0.9 7 0.7

Event method1,2 Drugs/alcohol 3 2.6 284 57.8 -- -- -- --

Hanging/asphyxiation 34 29.6 48 9.8 -- -- -- --

Poisoning 3 2.6 16 3.3 -- -- -- --

Firearm 71 61.7 50 10.2 -- -- -- --

Military issued 

firearm3,4

5 7.0 14 28.0 -- -- -- --

Not military firearm3 65 91.5 36 72.0 -- -- -- --

Firearm of unknown origin31 1.4 0 0.0 -- -- -- --

Falling/jumping 1 0.9 6 1.2 -- -- -- --

Sharp/blunt object.5 -- -- 61 12.4 -- -- -- --

Other 3 2.6 22 4.5 -- -- -- --

Data unavailable 0 0.0 4 0.8 -- -- -- --

Alcohol used during 

event1

Yes 39 33.9 147 29.9 68 29.4 135 13.7

No 69 60.0 328 66.8 151 65.4 807 81.6

Data unavailable 7 6.1 16 3.3 12 5.2 47 4.8

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Table E2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Army DoDSERs
69

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Drugs used during event Yes 29 25.2 255 51.9 83 35.9 44 4.4

Illicit drugs6 Used, cause of 

death/overdose3

0 0.0 16 6.3 4 4.8 1 2.3

Used, not cause of 

death/no overdose3

2 6.9 10 3.9 8 9.6 21 47.7

Inhalants6,7 Used, cause of 

death/overdose3

0 0.0 -- -- -- -- -- --

Used, not cause of 

death/no overdose3

2 6.9 -- -- -- -- -- --

Prescription 

drugs6

Used, cause of 

death/overdose3

2 6.9 162 63.5 44 53.0 10 22.7

Used, not cause of 

death/no overdose3

18 62.1 43 16.9 29 34.9 19 43.2

OTC drugs6 Used, cause of 

death/overdose3

0 0.0 57 22.4 11 13.3 1 2.3

Used, not cause of 

death/no overdose3

8 27.6 16 6.3 6 7.2 5 11.4

No 80 69.6 223 45.4 138 59.7 897 90.7

Data unavailable 6 5.2 13 2.6 10 4.3 48 4.9

Both alcohol and drugs 

used during event1

Yes 8 7.0 83 16.9 30 13.0 14 1.4

No 99 86.1 387 78.8 187 81.0 920 93.0

Data unavailable 8 7.0 21 4.3 14 6.1 55 5.6

Communicated intent Yes 26 22.6 117 23.8 53 22.9 473 47.8

Mode6 Written3 3 11.5 9 7.7 3 5.7 16 3.4

Verbal3 19 73.1 76 65.0 41 77.4 427 90.3

Electronic3 6 23.1 36 30.8 11 20.8 42 8.9

Other3 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 1.9 3 0.6

Number 

of types of 

recipients

One3 18 69.2 91 77.8 42 79.2 385 81.4

Two3 5 19.2 17 14.5 9 17.0 66 14.0

Recipients6

Three or more3 3 11.5 9 7.7 2 3.8 21 4.4

Unknown number3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.2

Supervisor3 1 3.8 23 19.7 13 24.5 128 27.1

Chaplain3 0 0.0 3 2.6 6 11.3 21 4.4

Mental Health Staff3 8 30.8 22 18.8 11 20.8 222 46.9

Friend3 9 34.6 37 31.6 13 24.5 88 18.6

Spouse/significant 

other3

13 50.0 47 40.2 15 28.3 77 16.3

Family3 3 11.5 11 9.4 1 1.9 12 2.5

Social Media3 0 0.0 3 2.6 0 0.0 0 0.0

Colleague3 2 7.7 5 4.3 1 1.9 10 2.1

Other3 3 11.5 3 2.6 6 11.3 26 5.5

No 69 60.0 339 69.0 156 67.5 462 46.7

Data unavailable 20 17.4 35 7.1 22 9.5 54 5.5

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Continued >> 

Table E2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Army DoDSERs (cont.)
70

Appendix E: Army Tables

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Death risk gambling Yes 1 0.9 12 2.4 3 1.3 16 1.6

No 96 83.5 467 95.1 217 93.9 941 95.1

Data unavailable 18 15.7 12 2.4 11 4.8 32 3.2

Event planned Yes 50 43.5 126 25.7 24 10.4 177 17.9

No 24 20.9 310 63.1 172 74.5 693 70.1

Data unavailable 41 35.7 55 11.2 35 15.2 119 12.0

Event observable Yes 20 17.4 192 39.1 106 45.9 322 32.6

No 79 68.7 271 55.2 101 43.7 497 50.3

Data unavailable 16 13.9 28 5.7 24 10.4 170 17.2

Left suicide note Yes 31 27.0 63 12.8 6 2.6 27 2.7

No 58 50.4 410 83.5 213 92.2 920 93.0

Data unavailable 26 22.6 18 3.7 12 5.2 42 4.2

Residence Shared military living 

environment

30 26.1 233 47.5 124 53.7 495 50.1

Bachelor quarters 4 3.5 0 0.0 2 0.9 10 1.0

On-base family housing 13 11.3 36 7.3 23 10.0 91 9.2

Private residence 59 51.3 177 36.0 63 27.3 293 29.6

Ship 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other 1 0.9 30 6.1 13 5.6 54 5.5

Data unavailable 8 7.0 15 3.1 6 2.6 46 4.7

Married service 

member residence

Not married 56 48.7 261 53.2 153 66.2 575 58.1

Married, resides with 

spouse

25 21.7 140 28.5 40 17.3 232 23.5

Married, not living together, 

relationship issues

11 9.6 55 11.2 19 8.2 83 8.4

Married, not living together, 

other reasons

14 12.2 27 5.5 13 5.6 85 8.6

Data unavailable 9 7.8 8 1.6 6 2.6 14 1.4

Service member 

resided alone

Yes 38 33.0 194 39.5 72 31.2 323 32.7

No 60 52.2 278 56.6 144 62.3 605 61.2

Data unavailable 17 14.8 19 3.9 15 6.5 61 6.2

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Continued >> 

Table E2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Army DoDSERs (cont.)
71

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Had minor children Yes, lived with SM 19 16.5 85 17.3 23 10.0 143 14.5

Yes, did not live with SM 24 20.9 105 21.4 41 17.7 178 18.0

No children 60 52.2 280 57.0 151 65.4 612 61.9

Data unavailable 12 10.4 21 4.3 16 6.9 56 5.7

Firearm in immediate 

environment

Yes 57 49.6 78 15.9 16 6.9 124 12.5

No 26 22.6 370 75.4 194 84.0 739 74.7

Data unavailable 32 27.8 43 8.8 21 9.1 126 12.7

Duty status at time of 

event6 Permanent duty station 94 81.7 361 73.5 167 72.3 741 74.9

Leave 9 7.8 14 2.9 3 1.3 15 1.5

TDY 1 0.9 1 0.2 1 0.4 2 0.2

Deployed 6 5.2 14 2.9 0 0.0 15 1.5

Training 1 0.9 28 5.7 22 9.5 81 8.2

Psychiatric Hospitalization 0 0.0 4 0.8 0 0.0 2 0.2

Medical Hold 4 3.5 7 1.4 3 1.3 8 0.8

Other 5 4.3 57 11.6 31 13.4 105 10.6

Data unavailable 4 3.5 26 5.3 10 4.3 53 5.4

1Data on cause of death and toxicology provided by the AFMES for suicide decedents.

2Event method categories were aligned with the National Center for Health Statistics’ standard for cause of death categories. 

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4Data on the source of the firearm are from the DoDSER reports filed for the suicide decedents.

5This category is specific to nonfatal events since it is not a unique reporting category per the National Center for Health Statistics.

6SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

7Inhalants were reported as a separate category of drug use for suicides in the toxicology data but were not a separate reporting category in 

 the DoDSER for any event type.

Table E2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Army DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 10
72

Appendix E: Army Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

All 115 100.0 491 100.0 231 100.0 989 100.0

Behavioral health 

diagnosis

Yes 52 45.2 304 61.9 140 60.6 553 55.9

Number of 

diagnoses

One1 30 57.7 157 51.6 75 53.6 276 49.9

Two1 15 28.8 111 36.5 39 27.9 191 34.5

Three or more1 7 13.5 36 11.8 26 18.6 86 15.6

Mood disorder1,2 29 55.8 186 61.2 81 57.9 346 62.6

Specific 

diagnoses

Bipolar1,2 3 10.3 14 7.5 7 8.6 31 9.0

Major 

depression1,2

18 62.1 141 75.8 51 63.0 271 78.3

Dysthymic1,2 2 6.9 5 2.7 5 6.2 15 4.3

Other mood 

disorder1,2

10 34.5 37 19.9 22 27.2 64 18.5

Unspecified 

mood 

disorder1,2

2 6.9 14 7.5 6 7.4 24 6.9

Anxiety disorder1,2 18 34.6 170 55.9 67 47.9 286 51.7

Posttraumatic 

stress1,2

8 44.4 91 53.5 38 56.7 169 59.1

Panic1,2 0 0.0 15 8.8 7 10.4 26 9.1

Generalized 

anxiety1,2

4 22.2 53 31.2 23 34.3 87 30.4

Acute 

stress1,2

1 5.6 9 5.3 4 6.0 21 7.3

Other anxiety 

disorder1,2

10 55.6 39 22.9 18 26.9 57 19.9

Unspecified 

anxiety 

disorder1,2

0 0.0 11 6.5 7 10.4 26 9.1

Personality 

disorder1,2

1 1.9 18 5.9 21 15.0 33 6.0

Psychotic 

disorder1,2

2 3.8 6 2.0 1 0.7 9 1.6

Adjustment 

disorder1,2

31 59.6 112 36.8 66 47.1 253 45.8

No 58 50.4 174 35.4 81 35.1 397 40.1

Data unavailable 5 4.3 13 2.6 10 4.3 39 3.9

Sleep disorder Yes 16 13.9 82 16.7 34 14.7 136 13.8

No 93 80.9 388 79.0 179 77.5 794 80.3

Data unavailable 6 5.2 21 4.3 18 7.8 59 6.0

History of substance 

abuse

Yes 30 26.1 157 32.0 69 29.9 243 24.6

No 70 60.9 319 65.0 143 61.9 651 65.8

Data unavailable 15 13.0 15 3.1 19 8.2 95 9.6

Table E3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 

Army DoDSERs

Continued >> 
73

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Traumatic brain injury Yes 9 7.8 44 9.0 13 5.6 70 7.1

No 98 85.2 425 86.6 206 89.2 858 86.8

Data unavailable 8 7.0 22 4.5 12 5.2 61 6.2

Family history of 

behavioral health 

conditions

Yes 13 11.3 135 27.5 53 22.9 259 26.2

No 57 49.6 307 62.5 149 64.5 591 59.8

Data unavailable 45 39.1 49 10.0 29 12.6 139 14.1

History of prior selfinjuryYes 12 10.4 131 26.7 58 25.1 206 20.8

One prior event1,2 6 50.0 74 56.5 29 50.0 116 56.3

More than one 

prior event1,2

5 41.7 56 42.7 29 50.0 86 41.7

Unknown number 

of events1,2

1 8.3 1 0.8 0 0.0 4 1.9

Current event 

similar to prior self 

injury1,2

3 25.0 67 51.1 34 58.6 -- --

No 84 73.0 326 66.4 145 62.8 692 70.0

Data unavailable 19 16.5 34 6.9 28 12.1 91 9.2

Ever taken psychotropic 

medications

Yes 33 28.7 196 39.9 83 35.9 304 30.7

No 62 53.9 260 53.0 138 59.7 601 60.8

Data unavailable 20 17.4 35 7.1 10 4.3 84 8.5

Use of psychotropic 

medications, last 90 

days

Yes 26 22.6 165 33.6 69 29.9 227 23.0

Antidepressants1,2 18 69.2 135 81.8 59 85.5 196 86.3

Anxiolytics1,2 13 50.0 76 46.1 31 44.9 113 49.8

Antimanics1,2 1 3.8 3 1.8 7 10.1 5 2.2

Anticonvulsants1,2 2 7.7 4 2.4 6 8.7 9 4.0

Antipsychotics1,2 3 11.5 15 9.1 5 7.2 26 11.5

Sleep 

medications1,2

11 42.3 90 54.5 35 50.7 116 51.1

No 69 60.0 291 59.3 152 65.8 675 68.3

Data unavailable 20 17.4 35 7.1 10 4.3 87 8.8

Pain medication at time 

of the event

Yes 14 12.2 89 18.1 31 13.4 123 12.4

Opioids, last 90 

days1

6 42.9 23 25.8 4 12.9 28 22.8

No 74 64.3 370 75.4 181 78.4 770 77.9

Data unavailable 27 23.5 32 6.5 19 8.2 96 9.7

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Continued >> 

Table E3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 

Army DoDSERs (cont.)
74

Appendix E: Army Tables

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Polypharmacy at time 

of the event

Yes 12 10.4 74 15.1 19 8.2 78 7.9

No 82 71.3 377 76.8 190 82.3 802 81.1

Data unavailable 21 18.3 40 8.1 22 9.5 109 11.0

Accession of medical/

support services, last 

90 days

Yes 68 59.1 364 74.1 158 68.4 750 75.8

Military Treatment 

Facility1,2

63 92.6 251 69.0 105 66.5 587 78.3

Substance Abuse 

Services1,2

8 11.8 83 22.8 33 20.9 104 13.9

Family Advocacy 

Program1,2

5 7.4 23 6.3 9 5.7 38 5.1

Outpatient 

behavioral 

health1,2

39 57.4 278 76.4 119 75.3 529 70.5

Inpatient behavioral 

health1,2

9 13.2 78 21.4 37 23.4 108 14.4

No 45 39.1 124 25.3 70 30.3 227 23.0

Data unavailable 2 1.7 3 0.6 3 1.3 12 1.2

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table E3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 

Army DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 10
75

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

All 115 100.0 491 100.0 231 100.0 989 100.0

Failed relationship, last 

90 days

Yes 48 41.7 193 39.3 71 30.7 271 27.4

Failed intimate 

relationship1,2

43 89.6 182 94.3 63 88.7 243 89.7

Failed non-intimate 

relationship1,2

13 27.1 48 24.9 22 31.0 86 31.7

No 48 41.7 287 58.5 152 65.8 678 68.6

Data unavailable 19 16.5 11 2.2 8 3.5 40 4.0

Loss or illness of a 

loved one, last 90 days

Yes 6 5.2 65 13.2 26 11.3 107 10.8

Death of spouse or 

family member1,2

4 66.7 34 52.3 15 57.7 33 30.8

Death of a friend1,2 1 16.7 19 29.2 6 23.1 25 23.4

Family / Spouse 

illness1,2

1 16.7 26 40.0 10 38.5 60 56.1

No 85 73.9 402 81.9 195 84.4 835 84.4

Data unavailable 24 20.9 24 4.9 10 4.3 47 4.8

History of suicide 

of friend or family 

members

Yes 6 5.2 87 17.7 25 10.8 145 14.7

Spouse suicide1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 2.1

Family suicide1,2 5 83.3 39 44.8 11 44.0 62 42.8

Friend suicide1,2 1 16.7 55 63.2 17 68.0 101 69.7

No 96 83.5 392 79.8 201 87.0 810 81.9

Data unavailable 13 11.3 12 2.4 5 2.2 34 3.4

History of 

administrative/legal 

issues, last 90 days

Yes 39 33.9 151 30.8 72 31.2 297 30.0

Courts martial 

proceedings1,2

5 12.8 12 7.9 3 4.2 21 7.1

Article 15/

Non-judicial 

punishment1,2

15 38.5 61 40.4 29 40.3 127 42.8

Administrative 

separation1,2

9 23.1 43 28.5 31 43.1 94 31.6

AWOL1,2 1 2.6 13 8.6 4 5.6 28 9.4

Medical evaluation 

board1,2

8 20.5 50 33.1 16 22.2 77 25.9

Civil legal 

problems1,2

12 30.8 22 14.6 9 12.5 51 17.2

Non-selection for 

promotion1,2

5 12.8 14 9.3 3 4.2 32 10.8

Under 

investigation1,2

6 15.4 2 1.3 2 2.8 6 2.0

No 69 60.0 332 67.6 154 66.7 671 67.8

Data unavailable 7 6.1 8 1.6 5 2.2 21 2.1

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Continued >> 

Table E4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Army DoDSERs
76

Appendix E: Army Tables

Count % Count % Count % Count %

Any financial or 

workplace difficulties, 

last 90 days

Yes 25 21.7 198 40.3 80 34.6 345 34.9

Excessive debt or 

bankruptcy1,2

2 8.0 38 19.2 10 12.5 64 18.6

Job problems1,2 21 84.0 124 62.6 52 65.0 221 64.1

Supervisor/coworker 

issues1,2

9 36.0 130 65.7 53 66.3 195 56.5

Poor performance 

review1,2

9 36.0 60 30.3 34 42.5 107 31.0

Unit/workplace 

hazing1,2

1 4.0 33 16.7 8 10.0 52 15.1

No 70 60.9 271 55.2 139 60.2 601 60.8

Data unavailable 20 17.4 22 4.5 12 5.2 43 4.3

Abuse victimization 

history

Yes 8 7.0 170 34.6 77 33.3 294 29.7

Physical abuse1,2 7 87.5 102 60.0 50 64.9 168 57.1

Sexual abuse1,2 0 0.0 80 47.1 47 61.0 145 49.3

Emotional abuse1,2 8 100.0 127 74.7 52 67.5 192 65.3

Sexual 

harassment1,2

0 0.0 25 14.7 17 22.1 45 15.3

No 84 73.0 296 60.3 145 62.8 652 65.9

Data unavailable 23 20.0 25 5.1 9 3.9 43 4.3

Abuse perpetration 

history

Yes 17 14.8 43 8.8 9 3.9 60 6.1

Physical abuse1,2 8 47.1 21 48.8 7 77.8 38 63.3

Sexual abuse1,2 9 52.9 8 18.6 2 22.2 17 28.3

Emotional abuse1,2 2 11.8 26 60.5 2 22.2 14 23.3

Sexual 

harassment1,2

3 17.6 4 9.3 0 0.0 11 18.3

No 75 65.2 428 87.2 211 91.3 885 89.5

Data unavailable 23 20.0 20 4.1 11 4.8 44 4.4

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table E4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Army DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 10
77

Appendix E: Army Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt Self-harm Ideation

Count % Count % Count % Count %

All 115 100.0 491 100.0 231 100.0 989 100.0

History of deployment1 Yes 84 73.0 293 59.7 101 43.7 476 48.1

Number of 

deployments

One3 46 54.8 140 47.8 53 52.5 220 46.2

Two3 21 25.0 103 35.2 30 29.7 137 28.8

Three or more3 17 20.2 50 17.1 18 17.8 119 25.0

No 31 27.0 185 37.7 119 51.5 491 49.6

Data unavailable 0 0.0 13 2.6 11 4.8 22 2.2

Ever deployed OIF/

OEF/OND1

Yes 83 72.2 289 58.9 101 43.7 475 48.0

Iraq3,4 41 49.4 153 52.9 55 54.5 272 57.3

Afghanistan3,4 45 54.2 192 66.4 70 69.3 312 65.7

Kuwait3,4 58 69.9 235 81.3 81 80.2 392 82.5

No 31 27.0 188 38.3 101 43.7 492 49.7

Data unavailable 1 0.9 14 2.9 11 4.8 22 2.2

Events in theater1 Yes 6 5.2 19 3.9 0 0.0 17 1.7

Afghanistan3 4 66.7 13 68.4 0 0.0 11 64.7

Kuwait3 1 16.7 1 5.3 0 0.0 2 11.8

Other theater 

location3

1 16.7 5 26.3 0 0.0 4 23.5

No 109 94.8 459 93.5 220 95.2 950 96.1

Data unavailable 0 0.0 13 2.6 11 4.8 22 2.2

History of direct 

combat2

Yes 18 15.7 159 32.4 44 19.0 204 20.6

Wounded others 

combat3,4

10 55.6 127 79.9 34 77.3 143 70.1

Service member 

wounded in 

combat3,4

3 16.7 58 36.5 12 27.3 60 29.4

Witnessed killing3,4 8 44.4 129 81.1 33 75.0 147 72.1

Saw bodies of other 

soldiers3,4

7 38.9 126 79.2 29 65.9 140 68.6

Killed others in 

combat3,4

3 16.7 82 51.6 24 54.5 90 44.1

No 48 41.7 275 56.0 152 65.8 630 63.7

Data unavailable 49 42.6 57 11.6 35 15.2 155 15.7

1Deployment data provided by the DMDC for all event types.

2Data on combat exposure were reported in the DoDSER.

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table E5. Deployment and direct combat history for all 2013 Army DoDSERs

Referenced page 10
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
79

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix F 

DoDSER MARINE 

CORPS TABLES
80

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 45 100.0 229 100.0

Sex Male 42 93.3 176 76.9

Female 3 6.7 53 23.1

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 0 0.0 5 2.2

Asian/Pacific Islander 1 2.2 9 3.9

Black/African American 3 6.7 26 11.4

White/Caucasian 39 86.7 186 81.2

Other/Unknown 2 4.4 3 1.3

Ethnicity Hispanic 5 11.1 29 12.7

Non-Hispanic 39 86.7 199 86.9

Data unavailable 1 2.2 1 0.4

Age Range 17 - 24 26 57.8 173 75.5

25 - 29 10 22.2 36 15.7

30 - 34 5 11.1 10 4.4

35 - 39 1 2.2 4 1.7

40 - 44 2 4.4 2 0.9

45 - 74 1 2.2 0 0.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 4 1.7

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 0.0 0 0.0

E1-E4 27 60.0 186 81.2

E5-E9 15 33.3 42 18.3

Warrant Officer 0 0.0 0 0.0

Commissioned Officer 3 6.7 1 0.4

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Component Active 45 100.0 226 98.7

Reserve 0 0.0 3 1.3

Education Some high school, did not graduate 0 0.0 1 0.4

Alternative high school certification 2 4.4 5 2.2

High school graduate 35 77.8 217 94.8

Some college, no degree 2 4.4 3 1.3

Four-year degree 3 6.7 2 0.9

Masters degree or greater 3 6.7 0 0.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table F1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs

Continued >> 
81

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

Marital Status Never married 19 42.2 141 61.6

Married 22 48.9 80 34.9

Legally separated 0 0.0 1 0.4

Divorced 4 8.9 6 2.6

Widowed 0 0.0 0 0.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

1Demographic variables provided by the DMDC and augmented by the DoDSER for cases with unknown values in the DMDC’s data. See 

 Appendix A for more information.

Table F1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 11
82

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 45 100.0 229 100.0

Geographic location United States 40 88.9 196 85.6

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0

Afghanistan 3 6.7 3 1.3

Kuwait 0 0.0 0 0.0

Korea 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other Europe 0 0.0 0 0.0

North America 0 0.0 2 0.9

Japan 1 2.2 24 10.5

Germany 0 0.0 0 0.0

United Kingdom 0 0.0 0 0.0

Shipboard 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other 1 2.2 3 1.3

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 0.4

Event setting Own residence 14 31.1 59 25.8

Barracks 8 17.8 133 58.1

Residence of friend or family 6 13.3 9 3.9

Work/jobsite 4 8.9 6 2.6

Automobile (away from residence) 4 8.9 8 3.5

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 1 0.4

Hotel 0 0.0 1 0.4

Other 9 20.0 12 5.2

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Event method1,2 Drugs/alcohol 0 0.0 127 55.5

Hanging/asphyxiation 14 31.1 28 12.2

Poisoning 0 0.0 9 3.9

Firearm 30 66.7 12 5.2

Military issued firearm3,4 6 20.0 4 33.3

Not military issued firearm3,4 24 80.0 8 66.7

Firearm of unknown origin3,4 0 0.0 0 0.0

Falling/jumping 1 2.2 1 0.4

Sharp/blunt object5 -- -- 41 17.9

Other 0 0.0 11 4.8

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Alcohol used during event1 Yes 19 42.2 84 36.7

No 23 51.1 112 48.9

Data unavailable 3 6.7 33 14.4

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table F2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs 

Continued >> 
83

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

Drugs used during event1 Yes 12 26.7 123 53.7

Illicit drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 6 4.9

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

2 16.7 4 3.3

Inhalants6,7 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 -- --

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

0 0.0 -- --

Prescription drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 78 63.4

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

6 50.0 6 4.9

OTC drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 46 37.4

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

6 50.0 3 2.4

No 30 66.7 91 39.7

Data unavailable 3 6.7 15 6.6

Both alcohol and drugs used during event1 Yes 5 11.1 49 21.4

No 37 82.2 142 62.0

Data unavailable 3 6.7 38 16.6

Communicated intent Yes 16 35.6 31 13.5

Mode6 Written3 1 6.3 1 3.2

Verbal3 8 50.0 17 54.8

Electronic3 9 56.3 13 41.9

Other3 2 12.5 0 0.0

Number of types of recipients One3 13 81.3 29 93.5

Two3 3 18.8 2 6.5

Three3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Four or more3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Recipients6 Supervisor3 1 6.3 4 12.9

Chaplain3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Mental Health Staff3 0 0.0 4 12.9

Friend3 9 56.3 11 35.5

Spouse/significant other3 6 37.5 10 32.3

Family3 0 0.0 2 6.5

Social Media3 1 6.3 1 3.2

Colleague3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other3 2 12.5 1 3.2

No 26 57.8 178 77.7

Data unavailable 3 6.7 20 8.7

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 

Table F2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)
84

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

Death risk gambling Yes 0 0.0 2 0.9

No 43 95.6 219 95.6

Data unavailable 2 4.4 8 3.5

Event planned Yes 14 31.1 64 27.9

No 21 46.7 115 50.2

Data unavailable 10 22.2 50 21.8

Event observable Yes 6 13.3 115 50.2

No 39 86.7 94 41.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 20 8.7

Left suicide note Yes 7 15.6 16 7.0

No 35 77.8 197 86.0

Data unavailable 3 6.7 16 7.0

Residence Shared military living environment 15 33.3 129 56.3

Bachelor quarters 5 11.1 26 11.4

On-base family housing 5 11.1 11 4.8

Private residence 14 31.1 48 21.0

Ship 1 2.2 0 0.0

Other 4 8.9 8 3.5

Data unavailable 1 2.2 7 3.1

Married Service member residence Not married 23 51.1 154 67.2

Married, resides with spouse 10 22.2 35 15.3

Married, not living together, relationship 

issues

8 17.8 26 11.4

Married, not living together, other reasons 4 8.9 8 3.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 6 2.6

Service member resided alone Yes 12 26.7 50 21.8

No 33 73.3 145 63.3

Data unavailable 0 0.0 34 14.8

Had minor children Yes, lived with SM 7 15.6 26 11.4

Yes, did not live with SM 9 20.0 30 13.1

No children 29 64.4 162 70.7

Data unavailable 0 0.0 11 4.8

Firearm in immediate environment Yes 28 62.2 19 8.3

No 11 24.4 178 77.7

Data unavailable 6 13.3 32 14.0

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 

Table F2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)
85

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Duty status at time of event6 Permanent duty station 22 48.9 151 65.9

Leave 6 13.3 10 4.4

TDY 2 4.4 3 1.3

Deployed 3 6.7 8 3.5

Training 3 6.7 31 13.5

Psychiatric Hospitalization 0 0.0 1 0.4

Medical Hold 4 8.9 11 4.8

Other 10 22.2 13 5.7

Data unavailable 5 11.1 13 5.7

1Data on cause of death and toxicology provided by the AFMES for suicide decedents.

2Event method categories were aligned with the National Center for Health Statistics’ standard for cause of death categories. 

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4Data on the source of the firearm are from the DoDSER reports filed for the suicide decedents.

5This category is specific to nonfatal events since it is not a unique reporting category per the National Center for Health Statistics.

6SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

7Inhalants were reported as a separate category of drug use for suicides in the toxicology data but were not a separate reporting category in 

 the DoDSER for any event type.

Table F2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 12
86

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 45 100.0 229 100.0

Behavioral health diagnosis Yes 14 31.1 121 52.8

Number of diagnoses One1 4 28.6 51 42.1

Two1 8 57.1 56 46.3

Three or more1 2 14.3 14 11.6

Specific diagnoses Mood disorder1,2 11 78.6 74 61.2

Bipolar1,2 0 0.0 3 4.1

Major depression1,2 3 27.3 47 63.5

Dysthymic1,2 2 18.2 9 12.2

Other mood disorder1,2 4 36.4 18 24.3

Unspecified mood disorder1,2 3 27.3 5 6.8

Anxiety disorder1,2 7 50.0 55 45.5

Posttraumatic stress1,2 2 28.6 34 61.8

Panic1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Generalized anxiety1,2 2 28.6 14 25.5

Acute stress1,2 0 0.0 1 1.8

Other anxiety disorder1,2 2 28.6 17 30.9

Unspecified anxiety disorder1,2 2 28.6 0 0.0

Personality disorder1,2 1 7.1 29 24.0

Psychotic disorder1,2 1 7.1 2 1.7

Adjustment disorder1,2 6 42.9 47 38.8

No 30 66.7 98 42.8

Data unavailable 1 2.2 10 4.4

Sleep disorder Yes 5 11.1 18 7.9

No 39 86.7 196 85.6

Data unavailable 1 2.2 15 6.6

History of substance abuse Yes 11 24.4 67 29.3

No 33 73.3 131 57.2

Data unavailable 1 2.2 31 13.5

Traumatic brain injury Yes 3 6.7 13 5.7

No 41 91.1 201 87.8

Data unavailable 1 2.2 15 6.6

Family history of behavioral health conditions Yes 5 11.1 61 26.6

No 20 44.4 126 55.0

Data unavailable 20 44.4 42 18.3

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table F3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 

Marine Corps DoDSERs

Continued >> 
87

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

History of prior self-injury Yes 7 15.6 74 32.3

One prior event1 6 85.7 35 47.3

More than one prior event1 1 14.3 39 52.7

Unknown number of events1 0 0.0 0 0.0

Current event similar to prior self 

injury1

2 28.6 45 60.8

No 36 80.0 136 59.4

Data unavailable 2 4.4 19 8.3

Ever taken psychotropic medications Yes 10 22.2 91 39.7

No 29 64.4 125 54.6

Data unavailable 6 13.3 13 5.7

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days Yes 7 15.6 79 34.5

Antidepressants1,2 6 85.7 68 86.1

Anxiolytics1,2 5 71.4 20 25.3

Antimanics1,2 0 0.0 3 3.8

Anticonvulsants1,2 0 0.0 3 3.8

Antipsychotics1,2 1 14.3 15 19.0

Sleep medications1,2 5 71.4 36 45.6

No 32 71.1 137 59.8

Data unavailable 6 13.3 13 5.7

Pain medication at time of the event Yes 5 11.1 26 11.4

Opioids, last 90 days1 2 40.0 10 38.5

No 37 82.2 177 77.3

Data unavailable 3 6.7 26 11.4

Polypharmacy at time of the event Yes 5 11.1 22 9.6

No 34 75.6 184 80.3

Data unavailable 6 13.3 23 10.0

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Continued >> 

Table F3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 

Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)
88

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

Count % Count %

Accession of medical/support services, last 90 

days

Yes 24 53.3 139 60.7

Military Treatment Facility1,2 20 83.3 93 66.9

Substance Abuse Services1,2 6 25.0 19 13.7

Family Advocacy Program1,2 4 16.7 6 4.3

Outpatient behavioral health1,2 11 45.8 110 79.1

Inpatient behavioral health1,2 0 0.0 28 20.1

No 21 46.7 83 36.2

Data unavailable 0 0.0 7 3.1

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table F3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 

Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 12
89

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 45 100.0 229 100.0

Failed relationship, last 90 days Yes 23 51.1 87 38.0

Failed intimate relationship1,2 17 73.9 80 92.0

Failed non-intimate relationship1,2 9 39.1 17 19.5

No 22 48.9 123 53.7

Data unavailable 0 0.0 19 8.3

Loss or illness of a loved one, last 90 days Yes 3 6.7 11 4.8

Death of spouse or family member1,2 2 66.7 3 27.3

Death of friend1,2 0 0.0 4 36.4

Family/spouse illness1,2 1 33.3 5 45.5

No 40 88.9 201 87.8

Data unavailable 2 4.4 17 7.4

History of suicide of friend or family members Yes 8 17.8 29 12.7

Spouse suicide1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Family suicide1,2 7 87.5 17 58.6

Friend suicide1,2 2 25.0 13 44.8

No 36 80.0 190 83.0

Data unavailable 1 2.2 10 4.4

History of administrative/legal issues, last 90 

days

Yes 11 24.4 73 31.9

Courts martial proceedings1,2 1 9.1 4 5.5

Article 15/Non-judicial punishment1,2 5 45.5 37 50.7

Administrative separation1,2 0 0.0 27 37.0

AWOL1,2 1 9.1 10 13.7

Medical evaluation board1,2 3 27.3 11 15.1

Civil legal problems1,2 4 36.4 9 12.3

Non-selection for promotion1,2 1 9.1 7 9.6

Under investigation1,2 0 0.0 3 4.1

No 34 75.6 149 65.1

Data unavailable 0 0.0 7 3.1

Any financial or workplace difficulties, last 90 

days

Yes 10 22.2 79 34.5

Excessive debt or bankruptcy1,2 4 40.0 12 15.2

Job problems1,2 3 30.0 57 72.2

Supervisor/coworker issues1,2 2 20.0 42 53.2

Poor performance review1,2 3 30.0 24 30.4

Unit/workplace hazing1,2 0 0.0 6 7.6

No 35 77.8 126 55.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 24 10.5

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table F4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs

Continued >> 
90

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

Count % Count %

Abuse victimization history Yes 5 11.1 69 30.1

Physical abuse1,2 4 80.0 47 68.1

Sexual abuse1,2 2 40.0 36 52.2

Emotional abuse1,2 1 20.0 32 46.4

Sexual harassment1,2 0 0.0 5 7.2

No 35 77.8 137 59.8

Data unavailable 5 11.1 23 10.0

Abuse perpetration history Yes 5 11.1 15 6.6

Physical abuse1,2 2 40.0 9 60.0

Sexual abuse1,2 3 60.0 2 13.3

Emotional abuse1,2 1 20.0 7 46.7

Sexual harassment1,2 1 20.0 0 0.0

No 39 86.7 189 82.5

Data unavailable 1 2.2 25 10.9

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table F4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 12
91

Appendix F: Marine Corps Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 45 100.0 229 100.0

History of deployment1 Yes 32 71.1 73 31.9

Number of deployments One3 18 56.3 37 50.7

Two3 9 28.1 22 30.1

Three or more3 5 15.6 14 19.2

No 13 28.9 150 65.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 6 2.6

Ever deployed OIF/OEF/OND1 Yes 32 71.1 73 31.9

Iraq3,4 13 40.6 29 39.7

Afghanistan3,4 28 87.5 62 84.9

Kuwait3,4 11 34.4 32 43.8

No 13 28.9 150 65.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 6 2.6

Events in theater1 Afghanistan 3 6.7 8 3.5

Kuwait 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other theater location 0 0.0 0 0.0

History of direct combat2 Yes 15 33.3 24 10.5

Wounded others combat3,4 6 40.0 15 62.5

Service member wounded in 

combat3,4

0 0.0 4 16.7

Witnessed killing3,4 2 13.3 16 66.7

Saw bodies of other soldiers3,4 1 6.7 13 54.2

Killed others in combat3,4 2 13.3 8 33.3

No 25 55.6 171 74.7

Data unavailable 5 11.1 34 14.8

1Deployment data provided by the DMDC for all event types.

2Data on combat exposure were reported in the DoDSER.

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table F5. Deployment and direct combat history for all 2013 Marine Corps DoDSERs

Referenced page 12
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
93

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix G 

NAVY DoDSER 

TABLES
94

Appendix G: Navy Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 42 100.0 101 100.0

Sex Male 38 90.5 77 76.2

Female 4 9.5 24 23.8

Race American Indian/Alaskan Native 2 4.8 4 4.0

Asian/Pacific Islander 2 4.8 6 5.9

Black/African American 5 11.9 13 12.9

White/Caucasian 29 69.0 63 62.4

Other/Unknown 4 9.5 15 14.9

Ethnicity Hispanic 4 9.5 25 24.8

Non-Hispanic 38 90.5 76 75.2

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Age Range 17 - 24 15 35.7 56 55.4

25 - 29 9 21.4 22 21.8

30 - 34 6 14.3 11 10.9

35 - 39 7 16.7 5 5.0

40 - 44 3 7.1 5 5.0

45 - 74 2 4.8 2 2.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Rank Cadet/Midshipmen 0 0.0 0 0.0

E1-E4 9 21.4 64 63.4

E5-E9 28 66.7 34 33.7

Warrant Officer 0 0.0 0 0.0

Commissioned Officer 5 11.9 3 3.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 0 0.0

Component Active 41 97.6 95 94.1

Reserve 1 2.4 6 5.9

Education Some high school, did not graduate 0 0.0 2 2.0

Alternative high school certification 1 2.4 2 2.0

High school graduate 28 66.7 80 79.2

Some college, no degree 7 16.7 8 7.9

Four-year degree 4 9.5 5 5.0

Masters degree or greater 2 4.8 1 1.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 3.0

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table G1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Navy DoDSERs

Continued >> 
95

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

Marital Status Never married 21 50.0 61 60.4

Married 20 47.6 37 36.6

Legally separated 0 0.0 0 0.0

Divorced 1 2.4 1 1.0

Widowed 0 0.0 0 0.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 2 2.0

1Demographic variables provided by the DMDC and augmented by the DoDSER for cases with unknown values in the DMDC’s data. See 

 Appendix A for more information.

Table G1. Demographic characteristics1 of all 2013 Navy DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 13
96

Appendix G: Navy Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 42 100.0 101 100.0

Geographic location United States 38 90.5 95 94.1

Iraq 0 0.0 0 0.0

Afghanistan 0 0.0 0 0.0

Kuwait 0 0.0 1 1.0

Korea 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other Europe 2 4.8 1 1.0

North America 0 0.0 0 0.0

Japan 1 2.4 1 1.0

Germany 0 0.0 1 1.0

United Kingdom 0 0.0 0 0.0

Shipboard 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other 1 2.4 1 1.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 1.0

Event setting Own residence 21 50.0 39 38.6

Barracks 5 11.9 37 36.6

Residence of friend or family 1 2.4 5 5.0

Work/jobsite 5 11.9 12 11.9

Automobile (away from residence) 1 2.4 3 3.0

Inpatient medical facility 0 0.0 1 1.0

Hotel 1 2.4 0 0.0

Other 8 19.0 3 3.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 1 1.0

Event method1,2 Drugs/alcohol 1 2.4 47 46.5

Hanging/asphyxiation 15 35.7 14 13.9

Poisoning 0 0.0 3 3.0

Firearm 21 50.0 4 4.0

Military issued firearm3,4 4 19.0 0 0.0

Not military issued firearm3,4 17 81.0 4 100.0

Firearm of unknown origin3,4 0 0.0 0 0.0

Falling/jumping 3 7.1 1 1.0

Sharp/blunt object5 -- -- 20 19.8

Other 2 4.8 9 8.9

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 3.0

Alcohol used during event1 Yes 13 31.0 29 28.7

No 28 66.7 59 58.4

Data unavailable 1 2.4 13 12.9

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Continued >> 

Table G2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs
97

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

Drugs used during event1 Yes 8 19.0 49 48.5

Illicit drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 1 2.0

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

0 0.0 2 4.1

Inhalants6,7 Used, cause of death/overdose3 0 0.0 -- --

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

0 0.0 -- --

Prescription drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 1 12.5 25 51.0

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

4 50.0 6 12.2

OTC drugs6 Used, cause of death/overdose3 1 12.5 19 38.8

Used, not cause of death/no 

overdose3

4 50.0 3 6.1

No 33 78.6 43 42.6

Data unavailable 1 2.4 9 8.9

Both alcohol and drugs used during event1 Yes 2 4.8 15 14.9

No 39 92.9 71 70.3

Data unavailable 1 2.4 15 14.9

Communicated intent Yes 16 38.1 14 13.9

Mode6 Written3 1 6.3 1 7.1

Verbal3 12 75.0 11 78.6

Electronic3 6 37.5 2 14.3

Other3 0 0.0 1 7.1

Number of types of recipients One3 12 75.0 11 78.6

Two3 4 25.0 2 14.3

Three or more3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Unknown number 0 0.0 1 7.1

Recipients6 Supervisor3 0 0.0 2 14.3

Chaplain3 0 0.0 1 7.1

Mental Health Staff3 3 18.8 5 35.7

Friend3 5 31.3 5 35.7

Spouse/significant other3 7 43.8 4 28.6

Family3 4 25.0 0 0.0

Social Media3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Colleague3 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other3 1 6.3 2 14.3

No 26 61.9 72 71.3

Data unavailable 0 0.0 15 14.9

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 

Table G2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs (cont.)
98

Appendix G: Navy Tables

Death risk gambling Yes 0 0.0 0 0.0

No 38 90.5 96 95.0

Data unavailable 4 9.5 5 5.0

Event planned Yes 20 47.6 26 25.7

No 13 31.0 59 58.4

Data unavailable 9 21.4 16 15.8

Event observable Yes 11 26.2 36 35.6

No 29 69.0 59 58.4

Data unavailable 2 4.8 6 5.9

Left suicide note Yes 15 35.7 11 10.9

No 27 64.3 83 82.2

Data unavailable 0 0.0 7 6.9

Residence Shared military living environment 6 14.3 32 31.7

Bachelor quarters 6 14.3 8 7.9

On-base family housing 4 9.5 7 6.9

Private residence 22 52.4 40 39.6

Ship 1 2.4 3 3.0

Other 3 7.1 3 3.0

Data unavailable 0 0.0 8 7.9

Married service member residence Not married 22 52.4 68 67.3

Married, resides with spouse 12 28.6 15 14.9

Married, not living together, relationship 

issues

4 9.5 6 5.9

Married, not living together, other reasons 4 9.5 9 8.9

Data unavailable 0 0.0 3 3.0

Service member resided alone Yes 14 33.3 34 33.7

No 28 66.7 51 50.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 16 15.8

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 

Table G2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs (cont.)
99

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Had minor children Yes, lived with SM 9 21.4 14 13.9

Yes, did not live with SM 9 21.4 9 8.9

No children 24 57.1 69 68.3

Data unavailable 0 0.0 9 8.9

Firearm in immediate environment Yes 22 52.4 10 9.9

No 17 40.5 73 72.3

Data unavailable 3 7.1 18 17.8

Duty status at time of event6 Permanent duty station 26 61.9 40 39.6

Leave 4 9.5 5 5.0

TDY 1 2.4 1 1.0

Deployed 4 9.5 5 5.0

Training 5 11.9 15 14.9

Psychiatric Hospitalization 1 2.4 2 2.0

Medical Hold 1 2.4 12 11.9

Other 7 16.7 15 14.9

Data unavailable 3 7.1 14 13.9

1Data on cause of death and toxicology provided by the AFMES for suicide decedents.

2Event method categories were aligned with the National Center for Health Statistics’ standard for cause of death categories. 

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4Data on the source of the firearm are from the DoDSER reports filed for the suicide decedents.

5This category is specific to nonfatal events since it is not a unique reporting category per the National Center for Health Statistics.

6SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

7Inhalants were reported as a separate category of drug use for suicides in the toxicology data but were not a separate reporting category in 

 the DoDSER for any event type.

Table G2. Event location, event method, and event context for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 13
100

Appendix G: Navy Tables

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 42 100.0 101 100.0

Behavioral health diagnosis Yes 14 33.3 49 48.5

Number of diagnoses One1 6 42.9 29 59.2

Two1 5 35.7 15 30.6

Three or more1 3 21.4 5 10.2

Specific diagnoses Mood disorder1,2 10 71.4 31 63.3

Bipolar1,2 1 10.0 1 3.2

Major depression1,2 7 70.0 21 67.7

Dysthymic1,2 0 0.0 4 12.9

Other mood disorder1,2 5 50.0 6 19.4

Unspecified mood disorder1,2 1 10.0 2 6.5

Anxiety disorder1,2 4 28.6 15 30.6

Posttraumatic stress1,2 3 75.0 8 53.3

Panic1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Generalized anxiety1,2 2 50.0 5 33.3

Acute stress1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Other anxiety disorder1,2 2 50.0 4 26.7

Unspecified anxiety disorder1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Personality disorder1,2 1 7.1 7 14.3

Psychotic disorder1,2 1 7.1 1 2.0

Adjustment disorder1,2 10 71.4 21 42.9

No 26 61.9 43 42.6

Data unavailable 2 4.8 9 8.9

Sleep disorder Yes 3 7.1 8 7.9

No 36 85.7 78 77.2

Data unavailable 3 7.1 15 14.9

History of substance abuse Yes 3 7.1 24 23.8

No 38 90.5 63 62.4

Data unavailable 1 2.4 14 13.9

Traumatic Brain Injury Yes 0 0.0 3 3.0

No 41 97.6 87 86.1

Data unavailable 1 2.4 11 10.9

Family history of behavioral health conditions Yes 4 9.5 30 29.7

No 24 57.1 45 44.6

Data unavailable 14 33.3 26 25.7

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table G3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 Navy 

DoDSERs

Continued >> 
101

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Count % Count %

History of prior self-injury Yes 4 9.5 27 26.7

One prior event1 2 50.0 13 48.1

More than one prior event1 2 50.0 14 51.9

Unknown number of events1 0 0.0 0 0.0

Current event similar to prior self injury1 0 0.0 20 74.1

No 37 88.1 59 58.4

Data unavailable 1 2.4 15 14.9

Ever taken psychotropic medications Yes 8 19.0 32 31.7

No 32 76.2 58 57.4

Data unavailable 2 4.8 11 10.9

Use of psychotropic medications, last 90 days Yes 5 11.9 24 23.8

Antidepressants1,2 3 60.0 22 91.7

Anxiolytics1,2 1 20.0 10 41.7

Antimanics1,2 1 20.0 1 4.2

Anticonvulsants1,2 1 20.0 3 12.5

Antipsychotics1,2 1 20.0 2 8.3

Sleep medications 1,2 4 80.0 10 41.7

No 35 83.3 66 65.3

Data unavailable 2 4.8 11 10.9

Pain medication at time of the event Yes 2 4.8 9 8.9

Opioids, last 90 days1 1 50.0 4 44.4

No 33 78.6 77 76.2

Data unavailable 7 16.7 15 14.9

Polypharmacy at time of the event Yes 2 4.8 8 7.9

No 32 76.2 74 73.3

Data unavailable 8 19.0 19 18.8

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

Continued >> 

Table G3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 Navy 

DoDSERs (cont.)
102

Appendix G: Navy Tables

Accession of medical/support services, last 90 

days

Yes 16 38.1 47 46.5

Military Treatment Facility1,2 15 93.8 37 78.7

Substance Abuse Services1,2 0 0.0 6 12.8

Family Advocacy Program1,2 0 0.0 2 4.3

Outpatient behavioral health1,2 10 62.5 30 63.8

Inpatient behavioral health1,2 4 25.0 9 19.1

No 26 61.9 45 44.6

Data unavailable 0 0.0 9 8.9

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table G3. Behavioral health history, accession of medical and social services, and prescription medication usage for all 2013 Navy 

DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 14
103

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 42 100.0 101 100.0

Failed relationship, last 90 days Yes 16 38.1 39 38.6

Failed intimate relationship1,2 14 87.5 33 84.6

Failed non-intimate relationship1,2 5 31.3 13 33.3

No 25 59.5 47 46.5

Data unavailable 1 2.4 15 14.9

Loss or illness of a loved one, last 90 days Yes 3 7.1 5 5.0

Death of spouse or family 

member1,2

0 0.0 2 40.0

Death of friend1,2 2 66.7 1 20.0

Family/spouse illness1,2 1 33.3 3 60.0

No 36 85.7 78 77.2

Data unavailable 3 7.1 18 17.8

History of suicide of friend or family members, 

any time

Yes 9 21.4 11 10.9

Spouse suicide1,2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Family suicide1,2 5 55.6 5 45.5

Friend suicide1,2 4 44.4 6 54.5

No 33 78.6 78 77.2

Data unavailable 0 0.0 12 11.9

History of administrative/legal issues, last 90 

days

Yes 12 28.6 26 25.7

Courts martial proceedings1,2 2 16.7 1 3.8

Article 15/Non-judicial 

punishment1,2

1 8.3 11 42.3

Administrative separation1,2 2 16.7 2 7.7

AWOL1,2 2 16.7 2 7.7

Medical evalauation board1,2 3 25.0 5 19.2

Civil legal problems1,2 2 16.7 6 23.1

Non-selection for promotion1,2 4 33.3 3 11.5

Under investigation1,2 1 8.3 1 3.8

No 30 71.4 66 65.3

Data unavailable 0 0.0 9 8.9

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Table G4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs

Continued >> 
104

Appendix G: Navy Tables

Count % Count %

Any financial or workplace difficulties, last 90 

days

Yes 9 21.4 32 31.7

Excessive debt or bankruptcy1,2 1 11.1 2 6.3

Job problems1,2 7 77.8 24 75.0

Supervisor/coworker issues1,2 4 44.4 18 56.3

Poor performance review1,2 2 22.2 13 40.6

Unit/workplace hazing1,2 0 0.0 1 3.1

No 33 78.6 55 54.5

Data unavailable 0 0.0 14 13.9

Abuse victimization history, any time Yes 3 7.1 28 27.7

Physical abuse1,2 2 66.7 19 67.9

Sexual abuse1,2 1 33.3 17 60.7

Emotional abuse1,2 1 33.3 21 75.0

Sexual harassment1,2 0 0.0 2 7.1

No 35 83.3 55 54.5

Data unavailable 4 9.5 18 17.8

Abuse perpetration history, any time Yes 5 11.9 4 4.0

Physical abuse1,2 4 80.0 2 50.0

Sexual abuse1,2 3 60.0 0 0.0

Emotional abuse1,2 2 40.0 1 25.0

Sexual harassment1,2 0 0.0 1 25.0

No 34 81.0 79 78.2

Data unavailable 3 7.1 18 17.8

1Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

2SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table G4. Antecedent stressors related to family and relationship issues, administrative or legal issues, financial or workplace 

conflicts, and abuse victimization or perpetration for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs (cont.)

Referenced page 14
105

Appendix G: Navy Tables

CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suicide Suicide Attempt

Count % Count %

All 42 100.0 101 100.0

History of deployment1 Yes 25 59.5 39 38.6

Number of deployments One3 6 24.0 21 53.8

Two3 8 32.0 15 38.5

Three or more3 11 44.0 3 7.7

No 16 38.1 59 58.4

Data unavailable 1 2.4 3 3.0

Ever deployed OIF/OEF/OND1 Yes 24 57.1 36 35.6

Iraq3,4 4 16.7 10 27.8

Afghanistan3,4 8 33.3 9 25.0

Kuwait3,4 8 33.3 10 27.8

No 17 40.5 61 60.4

Data unavailable 1 2.4 4 4.0

Events in theater1 Afghanistan 0 0.0 0 0.0

Kuwait 0 0.0 1 1.0

Other theater location 4 9.5 4 4.0

History of direct combat2 Yes 1 2.4 3 3.0

Wounded others combat3,4 1 100.0 2 66.7

Service member wounded in 

combat3,4

0 0.0 1 33.3

Witnessed killing3,4 1 100.0 3 100.0

Saw bodies of other soldiers3,4 1 100.0 3 100.0

Killed others in combat3,4 1 100.0 2 66.7

No 34 81.0 78 77.2

Data unavailable 7 16.7 20 19.8

1Deployment data provided by the DMDC for all event types.

2Data on combat exposure were reported in the DoDSER.

3Percents for these variables are based on the number of positive responses to the superordinate category.

4SMs could be classified into multiple categories in the same set.

Table G5. Deployment and direct combat history for all 2013 Navy DoDSERs

Referenced page 14
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107 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix H: Glossary

Appendix H 

GLOSSARY
108

Appendix H: Glossary

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.”

A provision under the Uniform Code of Military Justice which gives 

commanding officers ability to impose nonjudicial punishment upon 

soldiers who commit minor offenses within their units.

Any game of chance with death or serious injury as a potential outcome. 

Examples include “Russian roulette.”

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.” SMs 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,” 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 10oN latitude and west of the 68oE longitude 

and the air space over all countries and sea boundaries listed above.

SMs 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, SMs of the Selected Reserve are in a duty status if they are 

identified as currently engaged in Drill or Training, or being in the 

Simultaneous Membership Program, Active Guard/Reserve, or Full-Time 

Support.

Active Component

Article 15

death-risk gambling

deployment

duty status
109 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix H: Glossary

Informal proceeding evaluating the medical history of a SM 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 

SM unfit for duty.

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.).

Being prescribed any four or more medications taken concurrently 

with any one of them being a psychotropic or central nervous system 

depressant.

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.

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...This category includes all Guard and 

Reserve personnel who have Selected Reserve agreements, whether 

trained or not. 

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). 

Any self-reported thoughts of engaging in suicide-related behaviors.

Self-inflicted death with evidence (either explicit or implicit) of intent to die.

A self-inflicted potentially injurious behavior with a non-fatal outcome for 

which there is evidence (either explicit or implicit) of intent to die.

medical evaluation board

planned and/or premeditated

polypharmacy

psychotropic medications 

self-harm (without intent to die)

Selected Reserve 

suicidal ideation 

suicide

suicide attempt
110

Appendix H: Glossary

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 following 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 transient Intracranial lesion.

used to treat disorders such as depression or bipolar.

traumatic brain injury
111 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix I: Acronyms

Appendix I 

ACRONYMS
112

Appendix I: Acronyms

Armed Forces Medical Examiner System

Absent without official leave

Confidence interval

Calendar year

Defense Manpower Data Center

Department of Defense

Department of Defense Suicide Event Report

Medical treatment facility

Operation Enduring Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation New Dawn

Over the counter

Selected Reserve

Service member

Suicide Prevention Program Manager

National Center for Telehealth & Technology

Temporary duty

AFMES

AWOL

CI

CY

DMDC

DoD

DoDSER

MTF

OEF

OIF

OND

OTC

SELRES 

SM

SPPM

T2

TDY
113 CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Appendix J: Feedback & Suggestions

Appendix J 

FEEDBACK & 

SUGGESTIONS
114

Appendix J: Feedback & Suggestions

In a continuing effort to provide an annual DoDSER 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.

National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2)

9933 West Hayes, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98431

Fax: 253.968.4192

suicide.reporting@us.army.mil

Please return your completed survey by mail, fax, or email to:

Strongly 

Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

I found the information in the 2013 DoDSER 

Annual Report helpful.

What other statistics or comparisons would you like to have in future annual DoDSER reports?

How did/will you use this report?

Do you have any other feedback or suggestions?

Name: Title:

Organization:

Email: Phone:

Optional
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CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT CALENDAR YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2)

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health 

& Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE)

t2.health.mil