Nolan Stites
Cause of Death:
“My son PV2 Nolan Stites died from suicide during basic training after being subjected to fifteen days of mental abuse on unit suicide watch. Nolan’s problems started with a heat injury which developed into clinical depression and upon my advice sought help for his illness. Instead of receiving professional care my son was placed on unit suicide watch. Against all professional standards, confidentially with the brigade chaplain was broken when Nolan’s problems were broadcast to his peers.” (Article 3)
My son, Nolan Edward Stites, was an Army Reservist assigned to the 52nd Combat Engineer Battalion on Fort Carson, Colorado. He successfully completed nine months in the Army Reserve “delayed entry” program with the 52nd Engineers and received a promotion due to his excellent performance. In the summer of 2000 he reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Basic Combat Training where he became ill with clinical depression shortly thereafter. Nolan sought help for his illness and was a patient under care of the U.S. Army when he died during his seventh week on the Missouri army post. (Article 2)
Through the Army’s Delayed Entry Program for high school seniors, Nolan enlisted early in his senior year and within weeks was drilling on weekends with a local reserve unit, the 52nd Engineers, at nearby Fort Carson.