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User:Paolo1337/Battle Buddy

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Battle Buddy is a partnership between soldiers in the military that helps one another in and out of combat physically and psychologically. The partnership are usually between two people but varies depending on a given situation. The assignment of battle buddies are designed to balance out each others strengths and weaknesses. A soldier who is not fluent in English for example will be assigned to a battle buddy who's native language is English.[1]Battle buddies are important for the U.S. military missions in Iraq. It doesn't matter if a soldier is a veteran or has been serving the military for 20 years and has more experience than the rest of the group[2]


File:Http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4748766022 bd6846a23f z.jpg

These are the advantages of having a battle buddy:



These are the disadvantages of having a battle buddy:


  • Conflicting personalities
  • Extra responsibility by looking out for another soldier[3]

Statistics

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This graph shows the satisfaction of soldiers' ratings on having a battle buddy:

Disliked Very Much Disliked Neither Liked Liked Very much
5% 4% 10% 31% 50%


Soldier's agreement that Battle Buddy is a good Army practice:[4]

Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree
5% 5% 22% 24% 44%

Suicide Prevention

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===Military Suicides===

In the year 2009, there was 344 suicides from military soldiers in which 211 were from the Army. The suicide rates of the United States Army increased by 37% as of 2006. Battle buddies exists to look out for one another to promote mental health and prevent suicides.[5]

===Honorable Battle Buddies===
Specialist Albert Godding 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. [6]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.[7] Sander's battle buddy, Specialist Albert Godding removed the firing pin which disarmed the M-4 Carbine.[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."[9]


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. Years later they become battle buddies and when Eddie retired, he invited James to his ceremony. Eddie reveals that he was about to suicide the weekend when he met James V. Dunz but the simple act of kindness of James and the years spent as battle buddies changed his attitude positively.


These were Eddies 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." [10]

References

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  1. ^ 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>.
  2. ^ Mendoza, James. "Commentary - 'Who's Got My Back?' - Your Battle Buddy!" Balad - Home. 19 Aug. 2010. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <http://www.balad.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123218334>.
  3. ^ 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>.
  4. ^ 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>
  5. ^ 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>.
  6. ^ Morgan, Zach. "Soldier Saves Battle Buddy's Life with Simple Act of Caring." The United States Army Homepage. May-June 2011. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/05/14/39171-soldier-saves-battle-buddys-life-with-simple-act-of-caring/>
  7. ^ 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/>
  8. ^ "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/>.
  9. ^ 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/>.
  10. ^ 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>

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,158010,00.html

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