FORT CARSON – A Fort Carson soldier died Wednesday when an improvised explosive device detonated in Ramadi, Iraq.
Sgt. Yevgeniy Ryndych, 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
Ryndych is the 175th soldier from Fort Carson to die since the war began in March 2003.
FORT CARSON
Senators seek probe of care allegations
Three senators on Thursday asked the Pentagon to open an investigation into allegations of inadequate treatment, and even punishment, of soldiers at Fort Carson who seek help or treatment for mental health problems after returning from Iraq.
The allegations were made by soldiers who said superiors refused to allow them to seek treatment for mental health problems. One was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer of California, Kit Bond of Missouri and Barack Obama of Illinois said the soldiers’ allegations, reported this week by National Public Radio, brought up a “grave concern” that soldiers weren’t receiving adequate treatment.
In the report, two sergeants said they often refused to allow soldiers under their command to attend mental health treatment sessions.
“It is tremendously problematic that Fort Carson officials take it upon themselves to make medical determinations without input from mental health professionals,” the senators said in the letter to Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
In the story, Winkenwerder said he would look into the soldiers’ allegations. He said the Pentagon is trying to ensure that all soldiers who need mental health care can receive it without fear of retaliation. He also said he makes “no distinction between mental and physical health.”
The senators also asked Winkenwerder to tell them whether commanders at Fort Carson have given a low priority to mental health treatment for soldiers suffering from service- connected problems.
