INDIANAPOLIS -
They survive the battlefield, only to die in their barracks or here at home from suicide.
New figures from the Pentagon report 154 suicides among U.S. military members in the first 155 days of 2012, the most rapid pace for military suicides in the past 10 years. That includes 129 active duty forces and 15 reservists.
Suicide among soldiers is a national crisis and a personal tragedy Gregg Keesling lives every day.
"I am deeply saddened. I understand what those parents are going through, but I am not surprised," said Keesling.
Two years ago, Keesling's son Chance committed suicide while stationed in Iraq.
"I don't think, as a country, we've got our hands around the impact two long wars have had on these soldiers," Keesling said.
The combat engineer was on a suicide watch during his first combat tour, returned home, received treatment, and redeployed. Keesling admits that even he didn't realize how troubled his son was.
During their last phone call, Keesling recalls, "I'm the mean dad. I said be a man. Get over it. My last words were be a man, be a man."
The Indiana National Guard estimates that as many as 20 percent of returning soldiers have some type of behavioral health issues.
"That's anxiety, depression, PTSD," said Col. Ross Walthemath, Indiana National Guard.
Walthemath says he's not surprised by the numbers. He commands a 30-member unit responsible for helping veterans with issues as varied as mental health to unemployment and homelessness. Those problems are not easily or quickly solved and are likely to become worse as more soldiers return home.
"It's going to be 5-10 years, 20 years after the war for soldiers to get healthy," Walthemath said.
Since 2007, the National Guard says 20 of its soldiers have committed suicide. It is working with a growing statewide network of mental health counselors - professionals trained to see and treat the needs of veterans.
Help for veterans
Indiana National Guard
Family Programs: 1-800-237-2850 ext. 3192 or 317-247-3192
Family Programs on Facebook
24-hour Joint Operations Center: 1-800-237-2850 ext. 3242 or 317-247-3242
Behavioral Health support
Veterans Administration
A Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis 24-Hour Crisis Line: 317-251-7575 or Text CSIS to 838963
Chase Keesling committed suicide while away at war.
Nearly one soldier a day has committed suicide.
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