Thus far in 2012, there have been more U.S. military deaths from suicide than from combat.
U.S. troop suicides have outnumbered combat deaths during periods in 2008 and 2009 as well, according to the BBC.
At the start of June 2012, 154 troops had taken their own lives so far this year. At a rate of roughly one suicide per day, it is much higher than the 130 suicides that occurred by this time last year.
How should we as a country feel about this?
Something is clearly wrong with morale if troops would rather take their own lives than go to war. This isn’t necessarily the case, but the numbers don’t paint a pretty picture.
The United States spent more than $700 billion on defense in 2011, putting us comfortably at No. 1 on the list of the world’s biggest military spenders.
China sits at No. 2, despite spending four and a half times less than the United States.
Russia, the United Kingdom and France come in at third, fourth and fifth, respectively, all spending less than $100 billion.
Clearly, we reign supreme – but we fall short when it comes to taking care of our veterans.
In 2007, one in four homeless people were veterans, according to USA Today. With a nationwide homeless population of roughly 650,000, that leaves 160,000 veterans on the streets or in shelters.
We are a country that spends excessive amounts of money in the wrong departments.
If we are spending tons more than every other nation on our military, why not allocate more toward veterans affairs? The number being spent now is clearly not enough. 
The Department of Veterans Affairs has asked for $140.3 billion for the 2013 fiscal year. This is an increase of $2.7 billion from the current year’s budget.
To put it in perspective, the government spends slightly less on veterans than China spends on its entire military annually.
Granted, this is likely more than other countries spend on their respective veterans, but it’s not getting the job done. If more money is not the answer, then perhaps the VA needs to allocate its budget to better suit veterans.
This country needs to look after veterans like they look after the American people. If that means spending a little less on manufacturing tanks, guns and aerial drones, so be it.
We are at the cusp of a new era where military operations will be largely unmanned. This doesn’t mean we can forget those who served when we needed soldiers.
Anyone who is willing to put their life on the line for the rest of us deserves to be taken care of during and after the fact. Under no circumstances should suicide be a common occurrence in the military.
Parker Cramer is a 21-year-old political science senior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_pcramer.