Posted on Sep 19, 2016
SGT David Ortiz-González
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LTC Stephen Conway
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Don't forget sobriety to your buddies. Drinking, alcohol and drugs often result in depressed soldiers and civilians killing themselves.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
Great point! Usually That is one of the main reasons service members continue to go down that dark path.

Do you happen to do the Buddy Check?
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Cpl Justin Goolsby
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I don't call, but I do keep in touch via facebook. If I get a hint something might be wrong, then I would call, but otherwise facebook is the easy way to communicate with people on different timezones and work schedules.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
Whatever works is fine. Thanks for sharing!
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PO2 Administrative Assistant
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as often as I can. We started off not knowing each other to becoming a close nit family/unit.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
That's he we all start out. By the end we are brothers for life.
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How often do you call your fellow service members to make sure if they are doing fine?
SFC George Smith
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i Text IM/PM and Email and Facebook with about 125 to 150 a day
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
Wow! That's a lot of soldiers.

How much impact do you think this has on the wellbeing of others?
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PO1 Heather Morgan
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Often, if possible. I use FB messenger if needed
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
Whatever works. Some of my buddies are not too big on social media so I have to go old school and call them. Thanks for sharing!
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PO3 Sandra Gomke
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Great reminder!!
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
That's one of the reasons I posted it. The other was to find out how effective those calls actually were. Thanks for commenting!
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SGT Shawn Volkmann
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I think that this is something most of us forget to do. I'm guilty of it way too much
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
To be honest, I wanted to create a little conscience for those of us (I'm guilty as well) that forget to separate a couple of minutes for our buddies.
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PFC Jay Miner
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I check in on my guys about once a month, there are only a few I keep in contact with.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
How helpful do you think that is for that small group?
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PFC Jay Miner
PFC Jay Miner
9 y
I think it helps a lot, we keep tabs on each other and we look forward to the calls....gives us some catch-up time and depending on your level of comfort with the individual you can "vent" to an understanding ear w/out fear of alienation.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
The venting part is so important. Especially for those who really don't have anyone else that can relate to their experiences.

Thanks for sharing!
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PFC Jay Miner
PFC Jay Miner
9 y
Absolutely.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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Buddy called me on Saturday when he heard about NJ bombing. Knew I was a runner and wanted to make sure I kept my head on a swivel for my race on Sunday (Navy Air Force 1/2).

I try to check in with a few folks about once a month. I make phone calls when I drive. It breaks up up the monotony. Driving reminds me of all the driving I did while in. So it reminds me of family and friends.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
I have a couple of buddies that I call on that afternoon drive back home as well. It really helps out to stay connected with those who know exactly what you've gone through away.

Thanks for sharing!
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Stephen R Mills
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Once to twice a month is the call frequency and listening is the most frequent roll for me.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
Do you feel that being available for them keeps them hopeful?
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Stephen R Mills
Stephen R Mills
9 y
Yes. Even more valuable is their perception that someone cares (evidenced through actions) because they have made a positive difference in the world by their life and will again.
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SGT David Ortiz-González
SGT David Ortiz-González
9 y
At the end of the day that's what they really want, for people to show genuine care and appreciation for all their sacrifices.
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