Via Alternet, but originally from Melina Hussein Ripcoco at Brilliant at Breakfast, I found a gut wrenching story about one of Gen. Petraeus' and Fil's direct commanders, Col. Ted Westhusing, who at the time of his suicide was the highest ranking suicide during the Iraq War.
His story is one of the ethical soldier who believes in the honor of service, but in just one year in Iraq, becomes so disillusioned with the corruption and greed of all parties, including those above him in the chain of command, that he takes his own life. Death before dishonor.
Ted Westhusing, the soldier, philosopher and ethicist, was given a guaranteed lifetime teaching position and West Point by the time he had finished with his service and his education. he felt like he could do more for his country by trying to shape the minds coming out of the academy that were the ones that would be military commanders. He had settled into that life with his wife and kids, when in 2004 he volunteered for active duty in Iraq, feeling like the experience would help his teaching. He had missed combat in his active duty and it seemed like an important piece for someone who not only philosophized about war, but who was also preparing the military's future leaders.
Col. Westhusing was one of the guys that made sure that our soldiers knew right from wrong and how to act in the military with honor. He believed in the mission - trusted what Colin Powell presented at the UN - and went to Iraq. He was part of the group that trained the Iraqi soldiers. Or more accurately, oversaw the contractors that were training the Iraqi soldiers, since we outsourced our military functions.
What he found was greed and corruption but not just under him, also above him. And that is not that many layers up above him.
Upon reporting to his commanding officers, he realized that not only did the problems stretch to the level above him, but that they were systemic.
To these commanders the only real problem was the fact that they had a deeply honorable soldier in their command that was likely to rock the cash cow.
He could not live with himself being part of a dishonorable situation and found himself living a life where he trusted no one. In his 4 page suicide note to General Fil and Petraeus, he wrote:
Thanks for telling me it was a good day until I briefed you. [Redacted name]--You are only interested in your career and provide no support to your staff--no msn [mission] support and you don't care. I cannot support a msn that leads to corruption, human right abuses and liars. I am sullied--no more. I didn't volunteer to support corrupt, money grubbing contractors, nor work for commanders only interested in themselves. I came to serve honorably and feel dishonored. I trust no Iraqi. I cannot live this way. All my love to my family, my wife and my precious children. I love you and trust you only. Death before being dishonored any more.
I urge you to read the article and to look at the links to other sources.
The book Blood Money by T. Christian Miller looks at this story as well in a chapter called "Man of Honor".