Posted on Oct 2, 2018
CH (MAJ) William Beaver
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I recently was corrected by different superiors on different occasions when I used the term ‘battle buddies.’ I was told I should use “warrior companions” now. Battle buddy is now a faux pas. When did this change? I said roger but later tried to learn why the change but nobody knew why, and apparently many had not heard of the change. Were several superiors pulling my leg on different occasions? Or is “battle buddy” now offensive? I call folks my “battle.” But if I call them my “companion” it begs the question what sort of companion? Has “battle buddy” gone the way of “good buddy?” Did it gain some sexual innuendo that I’m not aware of? Or is it offensive to those who have not been to a real battle? What about those “warrior companions” who have not yet been to real war? To be sure I’ve never had a person to complain when I called them my battle buddy. They knew what I meant. I feel a SHARP complaint coming if I call someone my companion. Mybe not so much warrior companion. I have searched for the memo or regulation but cannot find it anywhere. Am I the only one who has heard of this change?
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Responses: 25
SGM Jeff Mccloud
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It started out a joke ALARACT written by the guy that created the Bob on the Fob comic strip: https://www.stripes.com/blogs-archive/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/remember-the-warrior-companion-rumor-here-s-the-backstory-1.149701#.W7NoMRRRfI0
But it did pick up traction all over the Army. As recently as last year you could find memos at Bliss mentioning "Warrior Companion".
In my BN, we prefer the term "Combat Lifestyle Partner".
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SFC Michael Hasbun
SFC Michael Hasbun
7 y
I'm so stealing that..
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CH (MAJ) William Beaver
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COL Otolaryngologist
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A joke?
I think not.
Who else, besides your warrior companion, should you send for a spool of flight line or a bucket of rotor wash?
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SFC Harry H.
SFC Harry H.
7 y
AT4 blank adapters
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SFC Steven Borders
SFC Steven Borders
7 y
In the the IT world having SM's spell out a ID10T error worked great. LOL
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SFC Jim Ruether
SFC Jim Ruether
7 y
I would send them for lanyard grease and grid squares but I am an Artilleryman!
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Cpl Chris Rhodes
Cpl Chris Rhodes
7 y
Don't forget to send them to get chem light batteries.
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Cpl Jeff N.
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Honestly, both of them sound lame. "battle buddy" or "warrior companion", I would use neither. I think soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman to address each other sounds far more professional than
"battle buddy".
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CW3 Michael Bodnar
CW3 Michael Bodnar
7 y
Absolutely. I had a bunk/rack mate at Parris Island and every time one of us went to the quarterdeck, the other followed. We were tight and I'm still in contact with him today.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
CW3 Kevin Storm
7 y
I hated battle buddy, warrior companion sounds beyond lame.
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Cpl Jeff N.
Cpl Jeff N.
7 y
CW3 Kevin Storm - We used "hey (add your expletive here)". The more the other person liked you, the worse the expletive was, usually.
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SFC Jim Ruether
SFC Jim Ruether
7 y
I agree 100%. If you are in my fighting position you are Carter, Erickson, O'Connel, or Peterson whatever.......... so if I get shot and need a battle dressing you aren't returning my request with a dumb look wondering if I mean you Battle Companion. I would seriously beat anyone up that called me that to my face!
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Why the change from using the term “battle buddies” to “warrior companions”?
Maj John Bell
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Ever notice how the new Company Commander has to re-arrange the furniture in his office, no matter what. I think It's like that.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
7 y
Establish dominance.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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Warrior Companions is an urban legend that started as a satirical practical joke.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Could be worse...in a way. Here in Honduras, they are known as Travel Companion.
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SSG Environmental Specialist
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They started changing allot of terminology back in 2005 when I was a cadre at Ft. Jackson, they corrected me and told us we could not say double tap and the reactive fire range and all kinds of stuff. Somebody at TRADOC has to earn a living somehow.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
SFC Ralph E Kelley
7 y
I will raise you one. Triple-Tap.
It reduces your ammo weight.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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No BS this was something that started as a trolling joke. A couple of dudes started it and it got a life of its own when some people thought this was real. Next thing you know, it was adopted by Facebook leadership groups and it got so big that even Army leaders were forced to address it. This was a couple of years ago, so it's surprising anyone still believes it.
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SCPO William Akin
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And the winner is.... "Combat Lifestyle Partner"
Thank You SGM (Verify To See)
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SPC Mike Davis
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Reason for change....some girly general getting a complaint from some butt hurt girl.
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