Anti-bullying video spurs student to reach out to recruiter
By Lynn Kirby, Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion
March 17, 2014
When the Army Interactive Semi visited the Los Angeles Army Recruiting Battalion for two weeks in February, recruiters were eager to utilize the asset to generate potential leads. However, one recruiter discovered that this asset’s value far surpasses that of lead generation, it can save lives.
One of the first students from the North Hollywood High School to visit the semi approached Sgt. 1st Class Jason Ruiz of Burbank Recruiting Center, after watching the asset’s anti-bullying video. He started asking Ruiz questions about a career in the Army, but a short while later, the student revealed to Ruiz he was being bullied.
“My initial reaction was to befriend him,” Ruiz said. “I wanted to let him know that it will get better.”
While questioning the student about what exactly he was experiencing, the NCO heard a comment that changed everything.
“He quietly stated he was thinking about harming or killing himself,” Ruiz said.
Based on his Army suicide-prevention training, he asked the student if they could go to the principal’s office to continue the conversation. Once assistant principal Carrie Schwartz understood the situation, she called in the student psychologist.
Schwartz said she has always been able to count on Ruiz to assist at the school in whatever way is needed, and this situation was no exception.
“What he did was outstanding. He handled [the situation] very well, and we were able to get the young man the help he needed,” she said.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Holley, Burbank Center commander, said the combination of Ruiz’s personal awareness, semiannual suicide awareness training, and leadership and counseling strategies provided the recruiter with the intervention techniques needed to effectively minimize the risk of harm to the student and others.
“He recognized the student as having an issue and acted on it immediately,” Holley said. “He befriended the young man to allow him to seek help with the faculty and counseling office.”
Ruiz returned to the semi after leaving the student in the good care of Schwartz and the psychologist.
Schwartz later informed Ruiz the student was doing well.
A school counselor later commented to Holley about the effectiveness of the anti-bullying video and that Ruiz’s actions had saved the student’s life. She further requested to have the Army Interactive Semi and the anti-bullying campaign to return to the school in the future.
Holley said the training Soldiers receive serves a purpose greater than just ensuring the health of fellow Soldiers.
“Recognizing the signs or signals of someone in need extends beyond the reach of our ranks and allowed Sgt. 1st Class Ruiz to assist a young man in need within the community we work and live in,” he said.
To learn more about the Interactive Semi or the anti-bullying video, click here.
By Lynn Kirby, Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion
March 17, 2014
When the Army Interactive Semi visited the Los Angeles Army Recruiting Battalion for two weeks in February, recruiters were eager to utilize the asset to generate potential leads. However, one recruiter discovered that this asset’s value far surpasses that of lead generation, it can save lives.
One of the first students from the North Hollywood High School to visit the semi approached Sgt. 1st Class Jason Ruiz of Burbank Recruiting Center, after watching the asset’s anti-bullying video. He started asking Ruiz questions about a career in the Army, but a short while later, the student revealed to Ruiz he was being bullied.
“My initial reaction was to befriend him,” Ruiz said. “I wanted to let him know that it will get better.”
While questioning the student about what exactly he was experiencing, the NCO heard a comment that changed everything.
“He quietly stated he was thinking about harming or killing himself,” Ruiz said.
Based on his Army suicide-prevention training, he asked the student if they could go to the principal’s office to continue the conversation. Once assistant principal Carrie Schwartz understood the situation, she called in the student psychologist.
Schwartz said she has always been able to count on Ruiz to assist at the school in whatever way is needed, and this situation was no exception.
“What he did was outstanding. He handled [the situation] very well, and we were able to get the young man the help he needed,” she said.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Holley, Burbank Center commander, said the combination of Ruiz’s personal awareness, semiannual suicide awareness training, and leadership and counseling strategies provided the recruiter with the intervention techniques needed to effectively minimize the risk of harm to the student and others.
“He recognized the student as having an issue and acted on it immediately,” Holley said. “He befriended the young man to allow him to seek help with the faculty and counseling office.”
Ruiz returned to the semi after leaving the student in the good care of Schwartz and the psychologist.
Schwartz later informed Ruiz the student was doing well.
A school counselor later commented to Holley about the effectiveness of the anti-bullying video and that Ruiz’s actions had saved the student’s life. She further requested to have the Army Interactive Semi and the anti-bullying campaign to return to the school in the future.
Holley said the training Soldiers receive serves a purpose greater than just ensuring the health of fellow Soldiers.
“Recognizing the signs or signals of someone in need extends beyond the reach of our ranks and allowed Sgt. 1st Class Ruiz to assist a young man in need within the community we work and live in,” he said.
To learn more about the Interactive Semi or the anti-bullying video, click here.