The characteristics of patients who attempted suicide in a military setting are described & the differences between the attempters & a group of non-suicidal, affective disorder patients are examined. 51 consecutive cases of suicide attempt were compared with a control group with no history of attempted suicide. 60.8% of attempters were under the age of 30 years. Depression & acute stress reaction were the most common diagnoses. Military personnel most often used more violent methods but none used firearms. Suicide attempters were more likely to be single & to have a family history of mental disorder but less likely to have experienced a parent’s death before the age of 18. (22 refs.) JA