Battle buddy
Battle Buddy is a partner assigned to each soldier of the United States Armed Forces that assists one another in and out of combat. There are pros and cons of having a battle buddy: security vs responsibility. Although there are downsides for battle buddies, most Army soldiers were satisfied and agreed to have the Army practice it. A battle buddy is not only for company (friend) but the reduction of suicide since each person watches each others actions; intervention of a battle buddy's negative thoughts and feelings can save a soldier's life.[1][2][3]
Advantages and Disadvantages
These are Advantages of a battle buddy:
- Keeps each other informed about instructions
- Reduces rates of suicide and sexual assaults
- Solves problems together
- Increase morale
- Encourages and motivate for more confidence
- Decrease stress
- Improves transition in the Army life
- Improves safety in training and in combat
- Eases transition to military lifestyle
- Better communication for is not fluent in English
- Better leadership skills[3][2][4]
These are Disadvantages of a battle buddy:
- Conflicting personalities
- Interference from desired activities
- Extra responsibilities
- Commitment of caring of another person[3][4][5]
Evaluations
Soldiers were asked to evaluate the "Battle Buddy Team Assignment Program" from their satisfaction to whether the assignment should be considered by the Army.[3] Surveys were created to asses:
- Variables of key personality
- Self assessments of success due to battle buddies
- Potential situational influences
- Buddy interactions/assessments[3]
This graph, for example, displays the satisfaction of soldiers' ratings on having a battle buddy:[3]
| Disliked Very Much | Disliked | Neither | Liked | Liked Very much |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 4% | 10% | 31% | 50% |
This graph, on the other hand, shows soldier's agreement that battle buddy is a good Army practice:[3]
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither agree nor disagree | Agree | Strongly agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 5% | 22% | 24% | 44% |
Suicide Prevention
Military Suicides
Assigning each soldier with a battle buddy is a way to decrease suicide rates. In 2006, the suicide rate of the United States Army increased by 37%. Furthermore, In 2009, there were 344 suicides from military soldiers (211 were from the Army). Military officials and law legislatures needed to find ways to decrease the suicide rates in the military and one effective program is the assignment of battle buddies.Military leaders spend billions of dollars for mental services promote mental health services. One way that prevents suicide is the assignment of each soldier to a battle buddy.[1][2]</ref>
Honorable Battle Buddies
Those soldiers who were saved from taking their own lives can thankful of their battle buddy. Specialist Albert Godding, for example, becomes a hero after saving the life of his battle buddy: specialist Joe Sander. Joe Sander's wife wanted a divorce which deeply affect Sanders. Stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Joe Sanders attempts to commit suicide by shooting an M-4 carbine under his chin and pulls the trigger but nothing happened. Sander's battle buddy, Specialist Albert Godding saved Sander's life by removing the firing pin beforehand which disarmed the M-4 Carbine.[6][7][8]
These are the words of Specialist Joe Sanders: "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have gotten to experience my fiancée. I wouldn't have gotten to lead troops, or attend schools and learn. Those are things I love to do."[8]
Specialist James V. Dunz helped out a soldier with a name of Eddie. Eddie was being bullied by other soldiers to the point where he is on the ground when James V. Dunz came and helped him up to his feet.[5] Years later, james and Eddie became battle buddies. When Eddie retired, he invited James to his ceremony. During Eddie's speech, he reveals that he was planning to commit suicide that weekend when he met James V. Dunz. He thanked Specialist James V. Dunz for the act of kindness;Eddie shows James his appreciation over the years spent together in the military.[5]
These were Eddie's words at his retirement ceremony speech: "Retirement is a time to thank those who helped you make it through all the tough years: your parents, your family, even your sergeants—but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a battle buddy to someone is the best gift you can give him."[5]
See Also
References
- ^ a b Duckworth, Tammy. "Mental Health in the Army." All Psychology Careers | The Psychology Career and Education Center. 2011. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/mental-health-army.html>
- ^ a b c >Neal, Bobby. "Why the Army Has the Battle Buddy System - by Bobby Neal - Helium." Helium - Where Knowledge Rules. Helium. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.helium.com/items/1353127-army-battle-buddy>.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ramsberger, Peter. "Evaluation of the Buddy Team Assignment Program." Army. Army.mil, Oct. 2002. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.hqda.army.mil/ari/pdf/SN-2003-01.pdf>
- ^ a b Allen, Reginald E. "Command Battle Buddy Program." Army. Army.mil. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.hood.army.mil/3d_acr/Regiment/PolicyLetters/Command%20Battle%20Buddy%20Program.pdf>.
- ^ a b c d Dunz, James V. "What It Means to Be a Battle Buddy." Army. Army.mil, July-Aug. 2010. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.wood.army.mil/engrmag/PDFs%20for%20May-Aug%2010/Dunz.pdf>
- ^ "Army Veteran Albert Godding Prevents Suicide Of Friend Joseph Sanders « More Than Coping." More Than Coping. 6 July 200. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://morethancoping.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/army-veteran-albert-godding-prevents-suicide-of-friend-joseph-sanders/>.
- ^ Drake, Bruce. "Army Suicides Grow, but This Soldier Was Saved." Politics News, Elections Coverage, Political Analysis and Opinion. Mar. 2010. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/12/army-suicides-grow-but-this-soldier-was-saved/>
- ^ a b Morgan, Zach. "Soldier Saves Battle Buddy's Life with Simple Act of Caring." The United States Army Homepage. 14 May 2010. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/05/14/39171-soldier-saves-battle-buddys-life-with-simple-act-of-caring/>.