Soldier’s Battle Buddy now a Smartphone Application
March 13, 2014
By Cathy Pauley, U.S. Army Recruiting Command PAO
As a Soldier, a Battle Buddy is more than a partner offering assistance on and off the battlefield. Battle Buddies intervene if their partner has thoughts of depression or suicide, and other crises including sexual assault. A Battle Buddy tool is now an application for the Smartphone.
Designed by Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), the intention of this App is easy-access information and steps to take to assist a Battle Buddy during a crisis. The App logo features it as a U.S. Army Reserve App but it is designed for all Soldiers.
“It gives Soldiers quick access in the event of a possible suicide or sexual assault situation,” said Sgt. 1stClass James Nelson, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Chaplain NCOIC.
According to an Army report released in May 2013, the military (active duty, Reserve and National Guard) is on pace of one suicide about every 18 hours. The Army alone sustained 109 reported suicides during the first four months of 2013.
All Soldiers are required to carry an ACE suicide-prevention card that addresses three steps in suicide prevention: Ask, Care and Escort. The App includes the ACE steps and additional tools such as open-ended questions you can ask your Battle Buddy you suspect is suicidal.
A Battle Buddy can also intervene in a sexual harassment/sexual assault situation as well. In 2010, the Army introduced its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) program to the field. The SHARP program and “I A.M. Strong” campaign that focuses on intervention, action and motivation are annual mandatory training Army wide. The App breaks down the two reporting systems for victims of sexual assault and a crisis intervention line you can connect to your Battle Buddy.
Nelson notes that a Soldier’s Battle Buddy is the first line of defense against suicide. He felt the App was an important tool, enough so that he sent the information to higher echelons.
“It gives the App validity by sending it to TRADOC and IMCOM chaplain’s assistant sergeants major,” said Nelson. “The sergeants major raved about it and forwarded the information down to the field.”
The Battle Buddy App features ACE, SHARP, national and local resources, “get help now” crisis phone lines, talking points, reading lists and other resources. For additional information, click here or the Play Store on your Smartphone and enter “Battle Buddy App."
March 13, 2014
By Cathy Pauley, U.S. Army Recruiting Command PAO
As a Soldier, a Battle Buddy is more than a partner offering assistance on and off the battlefield. Battle Buddies intervene if their partner has thoughts of depression or suicide, and other crises including sexual assault. A Battle Buddy tool is now an application for the Smartphone.
Designed by Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), the intention of this App is easy-access information and steps to take to assist a Battle Buddy during a crisis. The App logo features it as a U.S. Army Reserve App but it is designed for all Soldiers.
“It gives Soldiers quick access in the event of a possible suicide or sexual assault situation,” said Sgt. 1stClass James Nelson, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Chaplain NCOIC.
According to an Army report released in May 2013, the military (active duty, Reserve and National Guard) is on pace of one suicide about every 18 hours. The Army alone sustained 109 reported suicides during the first four months of 2013.
All Soldiers are required to carry an ACE suicide-prevention card that addresses three steps in suicide prevention: Ask, Care and Escort. The App includes the ACE steps and additional tools such as open-ended questions you can ask your Battle Buddy you suspect is suicidal.
A Battle Buddy can also intervene in a sexual harassment/sexual assault situation as well. In 2010, the Army introduced its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) program to the field. The SHARP program and “I A.M. Strong” campaign that focuses on intervention, action and motivation are annual mandatory training Army wide. The App breaks down the two reporting systems for victims of sexual assault and a crisis intervention line you can connect to your Battle Buddy.
Nelson notes that a Soldier’s Battle Buddy is the first line of defense against suicide. He felt the App was an important tool, enough so that he sent the information to higher echelons.
“It gives the App validity by sending it to TRADOC and IMCOM chaplain’s assistant sergeants major,” said Nelson. “The sergeants major raved about it and forwarded the information down to the field.”
The Battle Buddy App features ACE, SHARP, national and local resources, “get help now” crisis phone lines, talking points, reading lists and other resources. For additional information, click here or the Play Store on your Smartphone and enter “Battle Buddy App."