Suicide risk is a top clinical and research priority in male military populations, with interpersonal strain identified as a key risk factor. Masculine gender role stress, which is stress induced by perceptions that one is failing to meet masculine gender ideals of stoicism, physical ability and strength, and power, may be an interpersonal strain risk factor. This stress may be particularly notable in this population given the high prescription of these beliefs within military culture. Stress derived from perceived failure to meet these ideals could increase negative affect or depressive symptoms, thereby increasing risk for suicide death. The current study examined the association of higher gender role stress with suicide risk and depression in 508 male service members and veterans. Participants completed self-report measures of gender role stress, suicide risk, depression, exposure to military sexual trauma (MST), and a demographic inventory. Factor analysis confirmed the latent structure of gender role stress. Suicide risk was regressed on depression severity, gender role stress, and covariates of MST exposure, being discharged from service, and non-minority race. An indirect effect of depression was specified. The regression accounted for 36 % of the variance. Higher gender role stress was associated with higher depression severity, and higher depression severity, in turn, was associated with higher suicide risk. Limitations include the use of cross-sectional data to assess potential mediator effects. Efforts to reduce suicide risk may consider distress tolerance for perceiving norm violations. Results are drawn from cross-sectional data so findings should be considered cautiously.