Report: U.S. Army showing stress

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army appears to be under increased stress from repeated deployments of soldiers and inadequate support when they return home, an Army report concluded.

The report, commissioned by Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli and released Thursday, determined Army leaders have failed to recognize the problems associated with waging nine years of war -- including a growing suicide rate and more widespread use of prescription drugs among soldiers -- ABC News reported.

The report said the suicide rate among soldiers topped the civilian suicide rate in 2008 and use of prescriptions drugs tripled during the last five years, ABC reported. The investigation also concluded that crime and domestic abuse involving soldiers are increasing each year -- and non-combat deaths increased from 2001 to 2009, when more soldiers died due to accidents and "high risk behavior" than war.

"Simply stated, we are often more dangerous to ourselves than the enemy," the report concluded.

Army leaders realized the problems too late and failed to enforce discipline, the report found.

"Soldiers are taking more and more risks, and gaps in policies are allowing it to happen," it said. "Ultimately, it poses the question: 'Where has the Army's leadership in garrison gone?'"