Tag: Suicidal Ideation

Healthcare Fail: From Toxic Families to Toxic Military Leadership to Toxic Small Town Police Departments Who Didn’t Give Two F*cks If We Lived or Died

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Military Policy, National Guard, Non Combat Death, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Suicide, Toxic Exposure, USAF, VeteransLeave a comment
Maine Deadly Force Review Panel Scrutinizes Police Shootings in Rural Maine (Oxford County)

We both have brain injuries and the lack of healthcare in Maine would render us helpless and dependent on the VA healthcare system until we found out what was wrong with us. The fact that we couldn’t get any treatment no matter how many times we begged for it created mental health issues out of our control until we got the treatment we needed to lower inflammation levels in the brain.

As a result of these disabilities, we were vulnerable to those who abused their power and treated someone with mental health struggles more like a drain on society as opposed to a person with traumatic experiences and mental health issues who needs help. Jennifer and Lee are two years into treatment in California where the brain inflammation was discovered by a rare disorder doctor specializing in autoimmune dysfunction.

The healthcare in California far surpasses the low quality healthcare in Maine.

Read more here: The Most Dangerous Moments of Our Life: Targeted by a Documented Abusive Cop with Impunity Who Shot A Suicidal Woman During a Mental Health Crisis Four Years Later

Our Story:
–Citizen Complaint to Attorney General: Overview of Police Officer’s Disturbing History Prior to Connection in Officer Involved Shooting of A Suicidal Woman With Mental Illness
–Maine Newspaper & Police Department Leaders Assist Documented Abusive Police Officer in Dehumanization of Disabled Veterans and Kids During a Mental Health Crisis
–“Veteran Advocates” Use Defamatory Newspaper Article & the Cops Who Created the Narrative to Bounce Medically Retired Disabled Veterans Out of Washington DC
–Maine Police Shootings of Individuals with Mental Illness: Recent Incidents and Concerns

Related Links:
Reportedly suicidal woman shot by Rumford cop
Deadly Force Review Panel Reports Archive
Pittsfield man killed after standoff with Maine State Police
Maine woman shot and killed by Topsham Police suffered gunshot wound to head
Maine man involved in police confrontation died of multiple gunshot wounds
Three police shootings in Maine ruled ‘justified’
Man shot by police in Mexico expected to survive
Armed man shot by police in Mexico, suspect expected to survive
October police shooting of armed man in Mexico ruled justified
Neighbors ‘frightened’ after second police shooting in 2 months in Mexico
A Maine Sheriff Resigned After Sexting His Officers. The Full Story Is Even Darker.

Veterans court offers redemption chance for former service members

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, National Guard, Navy, USAF, USCG, USMC, VeteransLeave a comment

“John Novotnak knew he needed help. The U.S. Army serviceman whose eight-year career included a tour of duty in Iraq, struggled after he was discharged from the military in 2008. Novotnak, 43, of North Huntingdon was charged in 2022 for the second time with drunken driving when he finally concluded he needed to make a lifestyle change.”

“That change came after he pleaded guilty last year and was enrolled in Westmoreland County’s Veterans Court program for former military members charged with crimes. The diversionary program allows veterans charged with what officials described as minor crimes a chance to avoid jail, receive shorter sentences or have their cases dismissed upon successful completion of the six-to-24-month program.”

“Veterans returning to civilian life can experience trauma related to their service that sometimes results in drug and alcohol addiction and criminal behavior. Nico Rogers, 35, of Greensburg said he needed the diversionary program, that includes intensive supervision, counseling and drug and alcohol treatment when necessary, to turn his life around.”

Read more: triblive.com/local/westmoreland/veterans-court-offers-redemption-chance-for-former-service-members/

RELATED LINKS:
Veterans Treatment Courts: A Second Chance for Vets Who Have Lost Their Way

Lackland Basic Military Training Instructor, SSgt Craig LeBlanc, Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Unprofessional Relationships, Adultery

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

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SSgt Craig LeBlanc, US Air Force

SSgt Craig LeBlanc was a Basic Military Training Instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He is also one of the 35 instructors courts martialed after a base-wide investigation into sexual abuse claims referred to as the Lackland Sex Scandal. He was accused of having inappropriate relationships with recruits, adultery, and sexual assault. He was found not guilty of sexual assault. Nonetheless, SSgt LeBlanc was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in February 2013. Although the actions for which he was found guilty were unprofessional and in fact Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) infractions, they were not criminal in nature yet he got prison time for consensual sex and adultery, a law that doesn’t exist in the civilian world. The Air Force gave SSgt LeBlanc the fourth longest prison sentence. SSgt Eddy Soto was sentenced to four years for the rape of a trainee but a year and a half later, the Air Force Criminal Court of Appeals overturned the conviction and set aside the original prison sentence. The rape charge lacked evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. SSgt Luis Walker and MSgt Michael Silva were both sentenced to twenty years for rape and sexual assault convictions. SSgt LeBlanc attempted to appeal his sentence but the military appeals court denied it.

“The dismissal of these two specifications does not dramatically change the penalty landscape; in fact, only the maximum confinement authorized would change. Without the convictions on these two specifications, the confinement exposure is reduced from 22 years and 1 month to 18 years and 1 month. The appellant was sentenced to confinement for 30 months. Having considered the totality of the circumstances, we would reassess the appellant’s sentence to the same sentence approved by the convening authority.” -USAF Court of Criminal Appeals (March 2015)

Related Links:
Another Lackland trainer referred to court-martial
Former Military Instructor’s Court-Martial Set
Court-Martial Begins for Lackland Air Force Instructor
Lackland trainer’s bragging is cited
Lackland trainer bragged of sex, witnesses say
Lackland court-martial trial continues
Lackland trainer jailed after release
Lackland trainer pleads guilty on two charges
LeBlanc guilty of all but one charge
LeBlanc Acquitted Of Sexual Assault, Sentenced For Other Charges
Lackland trainer gets prison for sexual misconduct
US v. SSgt CRAIG A. LEBLANC, US Air Force, ACM 38396, M.J., 26 March 2015
A Complete List of the 35 Basic Military Training Instructors Court Martialed in the Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal

Army SSG John Russell Killed Five Fellow Soldiers at a Mental Health Clinic in Iraq; Found Guilty of Premeditated Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison (May 11, 2009)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Military PolicyLeave a comment

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Honoring the Victims:

  1. Major Matthew Houseal, 54, U.S. Army
  2. Commander Keith Springle, 52, U.S. Navy
  3. Sergeant Christian Bueno-Galdos, 25, U.S. Army
  4. Specialist Jacob Barton, 20, U.S. Army
  5. Private First Class Michael Yates, 19, U.S. Army

On May 11, 2009, SSG John Russell gunned down five of his fellow comrades at a mental health clinic at Camp Liberty in Iraq with his M-16. It was revealed that he had an argument with someone at the clinic, left, and came back with his gun. His crimes were determined to be premeditated. He was arrested and subsequently charged with murder and aggravated assault of another soldier that was seriously injured. Days before the killings witnesses noticed that he was distant and having suicidal thoughts. He was also scheduled to leave Iraq in a few days. He was tried for the murders of his fellow comrades and found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison on May 16, 2013. But his family feels that the Army should also take responsibility for their actions. The family believes that John was broken and not treated for the injuries he sustained in combat, in the line of duty. SSG Russell was being treated for symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress with medications but it is believed that the psychotropics the military psychiatrists prescribed to him may have played a role in his actions. He was described as a kind, caring man up until the day he committed the unforeseen murders against his fellow soldiers.

SSG John Russell, U.S. Army

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
Army IDs Sgt. John M. Russell as the shooter who killed 5 fellow soldiers at Iraq base
U.S. soldier charged with murder in Iraq shooting deaths
Army Sgt. that killed 5 comrades in Iraq a Sherman native
Father: Army ‘Broke’ Soldier Held in Kilings
Did Doctors Deny Iraq Shooter’s Stress?
U.S. Soldier Charged in Baghdad Shooting Was Due to Leave Iraq Soon
Horror and stresses of Iraq duty led US sergeant to kill comrades
When PTSD Comes Marching Home
Military Mental Health Crisis Exposed With Camp Liberty Killings
Trial date set in case of officer’s murder
Wait for court-martial in fratricide case frustrates victim’s family
Army judge orders soldier who killed five in Iraq to be hypnotised
Army sergeant pleads guilty to 2009 killing of fellow soldiers
US soldier ‘coolly smoked a cigarette’ before shooting dead five of his comrades in Iraq, court hears
US soldier who shot five troops was ‘broken’ by counsellors
Judge: Soldier premeditated murder of 5 at Iraq combat stress clinic
U.S. soldier found guilty of 5 premeditated killings in Iraq
Sgt. John Russell: Wrenching testimony in penalty phase
Soldier who killed fellow U.S. troops in Iraq gets life sentence
US army sergeant jailed for life over Iraq killings
Psychiatry in the Military: The Hidden Enemy—Full Documentary
Violent Crime at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Army SSG John Russell Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Premeditated Murders of Five Fellow Soldiers at a Mental Health Clinic in Iraq (May 16, 2013)

Marine Corps Veteran Carri Goodwin Died of Alcohol Poisoning in Alliance, Ohio; Dad Finds Evidence of Military Rape & Suicidal Thoughts in Journals (February 28, 2009)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, Stateside Death, USMC, Veterans1 Comment

Carri Goodwin
Carri Leigh Goodwin, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

My original efforts were inspired by Carri Leigh Goodwin, LaVena Johnson, and the many other servicemembers who did not survive as a result of their service to this country. In honor of these men and women, we pledge to fight for justice on their behalf, amplify their voices, and support the families who deserve to know the truth.

In August 2007 at the age of eighteen (18), Carri Leigh Goodwin of Alliance, Ohio enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to make her Marine Corps veteran father proud. During her short time in the Marine Corps, Carri was sexually assaulted by two different men while serving, reported the crimes, and instead of being taking seriously was discharged with a mental health diagnosis and misconduct discharge. Like most rape survivors, Carri had acute Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) from the brutal assaults she endured. Carri Leigh Goodwin died on February 28, 2009 from alcohol poisoning only a few days after being discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. Gary Noling wants to honor her and all the families who have lost their child to the sexual assault and violence epidemic in the U.S. military. Gary wrote about his experience with the tragic loss of his daughter in the New York Times in August 2016: What the Military Owes Rape Survivors Like My Daughter.

Related Links:
Carri Leigh Goodwin (1989 – 2009)
Carri Leigh Goodwin MST
More charges in court brawl
Speaking Out: US Military Sexual Violence and Trauma Against Women
In Harm’s Way: Non-combat deaths of Ohio soldiers raise questions about U.S. military’s treatment of female members
The Tragic Case of Maria Lauterbach
Military Sexual Trauma: Is this how we treat women in the military?
Military Sexual Trauma: The Women’s War
Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Services: The Invisible War
Military Fails to Protect Service Members from Rape— Class Action Lawsuit filed against the Pentagon
Why suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day
Tammi Sue Goodwin-Smith Obituary
What the Military Owes Rape Survivors Like My Daughter | NY Times
What the Military Owes Rape Survivors Like My Daughter | SOFREP
Petition: Support Victims Of Military Sexual Assault
RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT are Dirty Little Secrets for the Military, Especially the US Navy
‘Military Sexual Trauma’: the victims behind allegations of abuse in the U.S. Armed Forces
Carri Leigh Goodwin | Wikipedia