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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."