Recruiter Helps Future Soldier Who Attempted Suicide
By Nicole Woods, USAREC, Baltimore Battalion
July 25, 2014
Shortly after arriving for work on the morning of Feb. 26, Sgt. Robert Dixon, a recruiter with the Winchester, Va., Center and former Future Soldier leader, received an emotionally-driven text message from one of his Future Soldiers. The 21-year-old had expressed feelings of worthlessness and not knowing whether or not if he’d be able to make it as a Soldier. Shortly after, Dixon received another message from the Future Soldier explaining that he had just attempted to kill himself.
“Once I heard that he had in fact tried to take his life by taking a combination of pills and cutting his arm, I knew I had to call and keep him on the phone until I got to his house,” said Dixon.
Emergency medical personnel was alerted right away by Dixon’s center commander, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Filipowski, who offered to drive Dixon to the Future Soldier’s home.
“As a non-commissioned officer you have to make quick and timely decisions, because you never know when someone's life may be on the line. We had to get to the house as soon as possible; we had to move fast,” said Filipowski.
The 20-minute drive seemed like forever as Dixon did his best to keep the Future Soldier calm over the phone. Once they arrived at the house they were able to sit and talk with the young man until the medical team arrived.
“He was an emotional mess because he was still under the affects of the pills,” said Dixon.
After the Future Soldier was taken to the hospital, Dixon contacted the young man’s mother, and much to his surprise, her first question was if her son would still be able to ship to basic training. Not once did she ask how her son was or if he was ok.
Shocked by the mother’s lack of concern for her son, Dixon said it was apparent there was trouble at home between the victim and his family. That had previously been a concern of Dixon’s and ultimately the reason for his constant contact with this particular Future Soldier.
“I even talked to his sister for a few minutes, because she was actually in the house the entire time this was going on and she didn’t even know it was happening – The two had absolutely no line of communication and she couldn’t even tell me how old her brother was,” said Dixon.
The scars of the young man’s self-inflicted wounds and the seriousness of his actions will likely linger on for him as a missed opportunity. With the possibility of concerns later down the road relating to the rigors of training and being able to handle the mental and physical challenges of being a Soldier; the Army was no longer an option for him.
“I really hate that he tried to do this to himself because he really needed the Army; The Army gives you a sense of family, a sense of belonging that you get from being a part of an organization like this,” said Dixon.
Dixon keeps in touch with the young man, calling him every so often and reports the former Future Soldier is in good health and is now working full-time at a local factory.
“Overall it seemed like he was doing much better,” said Dixon. “He’s someone I worked with for a few months and just because he is disqualified, doesn’t mean he is any less of a person and doesn’t mean I care any less.”
In this case, Dixon was not only able to leverage on his natural instincts but also the years of training he’s received from the Army in suicide awareness and prevention.
“If I had to do it all over again I would take the same steps; I was able to leverage the ACE card training – Ask, Care, Escort, because I truly believe that you have to genuinely care when someone is in a situation like this. Every life is precious and valuable, so you have to care, not just as a Soldier and a leader but as a human being,” said Dixon.
As a result of Dixon’s actions, he was awarded with an IMPACT award signed by Baltimore Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. David Dinkelman and presented by his Company Commander, Capt. Paul Lee. The purpose of the award is to show recognition and acknowledgement of an act of heroism or achievement while on duty.
“Sgt. Dixon's rapid and steadfast response to a real-life emergency was a key factor in the survival of one of his Future Soldiers and greatly deserving of this recognition,” said Dinkelman.
Dixon genuinely cares for his entire Future Soldier team and wants to make sure all of them are prepared for the new experience on which they are about to embark.
“I tried my best to talk to all of them as much as possible and I think because I actually cared enough to not just ask if they were ready to ship out, but more importantly, I asked them about what was going on in their lives. I think that’s the reason why he reached out to me. I try my best to establish that level of trust with all of my Future Soldiers,” said Dixon.
By Nicole Woods, USAREC, Baltimore Battalion
July 25, 2014
Shortly after arriving for work on the morning of Feb. 26, Sgt. Robert Dixon, a recruiter with the Winchester, Va., Center and former Future Soldier leader, received an emotionally-driven text message from one of his Future Soldiers. The 21-year-old had expressed feelings of worthlessness and not knowing whether or not if he’d be able to make it as a Soldier. Shortly after, Dixon received another message from the Future Soldier explaining that he had just attempted to kill himself.
“Once I heard that he had in fact tried to take his life by taking a combination of pills and cutting his arm, I knew I had to call and keep him on the phone until I got to his house,” said Dixon.
Emergency medical personnel was alerted right away by Dixon’s center commander, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Filipowski, who offered to drive Dixon to the Future Soldier’s home.
“As a non-commissioned officer you have to make quick and timely decisions, because you never know when someone's life may be on the line. We had to get to the house as soon as possible; we had to move fast,” said Filipowski.
The 20-minute drive seemed like forever as Dixon did his best to keep the Future Soldier calm over the phone. Once they arrived at the house they were able to sit and talk with the young man until the medical team arrived.
“He was an emotional mess because he was still under the affects of the pills,” said Dixon.
After the Future Soldier was taken to the hospital, Dixon contacted the young man’s mother, and much to his surprise, her first question was if her son would still be able to ship to basic training. Not once did she ask how her son was or if he was ok.
Shocked by the mother’s lack of concern for her son, Dixon said it was apparent there was trouble at home between the victim and his family. That had previously been a concern of Dixon’s and ultimately the reason for his constant contact with this particular Future Soldier.
“I even talked to his sister for a few minutes, because she was actually in the house the entire time this was going on and she didn’t even know it was happening – The two had absolutely no line of communication and she couldn’t even tell me how old her brother was,” said Dixon.
The scars of the young man’s self-inflicted wounds and the seriousness of his actions will likely linger on for him as a missed opportunity. With the possibility of concerns later down the road relating to the rigors of training and being able to handle the mental and physical challenges of being a Soldier; the Army was no longer an option for him.
“I really hate that he tried to do this to himself because he really needed the Army; The Army gives you a sense of family, a sense of belonging that you get from being a part of an organization like this,” said Dixon.
Dixon keeps in touch with the young man, calling him every so often and reports the former Future Soldier is in good health and is now working full-time at a local factory.
“Overall it seemed like he was doing much better,” said Dixon. “He’s someone I worked with for a few months and just because he is disqualified, doesn’t mean he is any less of a person and doesn’t mean I care any less.”
In this case, Dixon was not only able to leverage on his natural instincts but also the years of training he’s received from the Army in suicide awareness and prevention.
“If I had to do it all over again I would take the same steps; I was able to leverage the ACE card training – Ask, Care, Escort, because I truly believe that you have to genuinely care when someone is in a situation like this. Every life is precious and valuable, so you have to care, not just as a Soldier and a leader but as a human being,” said Dixon.
As a result of Dixon’s actions, he was awarded with an IMPACT award signed by Baltimore Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. David Dinkelman and presented by his Company Commander, Capt. Paul Lee. The purpose of the award is to show recognition and acknowledgement of an act of heroism or achievement while on duty.
“Sgt. Dixon's rapid and steadfast response to a real-life emergency was a key factor in the survival of one of his Future Soldiers and greatly deserving of this recognition,” said Dinkelman.
Dixon genuinely cares for his entire Future Soldier team and wants to make sure all of them are prepared for the new experience on which they are about to embark.
“I tried my best to talk to all of them as much as possible and I think because I actually cared enough to not just ask if they were ready to ship out, but more importantly, I asked them about what was going on in their lives. I think that’s the reason why he reached out to me. I try my best to establish that level of trust with all of my Future Soldiers,” said Dixon.