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Derrick Van Orden: “I've had over 21 of my friends, actually 21. Sorry, commit…”

Featuring: Derrick Van Orden, Republican | U.S. House, Wisconsin, District 3

Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing

Published September 10, 2024 | Video Starts at 01:27

We're just not. It's no secret to anyone, as a former seal, fixing the TAP program for our transitioning service members is something I'm very passionate about. I've had over 21 of my friends, actually 21. Sorry, commit suicide. Navy SEALs that you never heard about. and, you know, one is too many. 21 is very troubling. We've made improvements in the transition assistance program one of my top priorities during the Congress and have advanced numerous bills to in. (01:27–01:33)

CLAIM

Asserts that 21 Navy SEALs known to him have committed suicide.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Derrick Van Orden

“Scourge of suicide takes an average of 17 veterans lives a day.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 01:58-02:04
“In 2020, the suicide rate for veterans who had transitioned from the military just one year prior was twice as high as the national average.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 02:51-02:57
“The In Transition program...is not connecting with service members about 70% of the time, according to the the Government Accountability…”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 03:56-04:14
“In Transition has successfully a successful contact rate of 2%.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 04:13-04:18
“The first field hearing for the entire committee was done in ranking member Levin's district.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 00:06-00:12
“I believe that number [17 veterans suicides a day] is not accurate. I believe it's much higher because the way the Veterans Administration…”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 02:03-02:10
“The Government Accountability Office has identified numerous ways that we're failing to connect our service member with mental health…”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 03:31-03:38
“I'm very frustrated by DoD's failure to respond to the GAO's recommendations immediately.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 04:31-04:37
“That would have 0.07%. Okay. Where I come from, that's failure.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 06:22-06:29
“The Department of Defense writ large is failing our service members.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 08:52-08:58
“The DoD's recruiting is horrible now, worse since the Vietnam War.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 09:37-09:43
“They think if they give our service members a smooth transition to the civilian world, it's going to increase people getting out of the…”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 09:43-09:54
“Our veterans are killing themselves because they have seven bosses.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 11:51-11:57
“Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.”
Rep. Van Orden Questions Witnesses on Veteran Suicide Prevention in VA EO Subcommittee Hearing | Uploaded September 10, 2024 | 12:00-12:03