When I was a Drill Sergeant one of the first things we did with every new group of trainees was to assign each of them a Battle Buddy. A Battle Buddy was a fellow trainee and somebody who was going to be sharing the 13-week experience of transitioning from the civilian world into becoming a soldier. Whether you’re aware of it or not, that transition can be a very stressful time.
A Battle Buddy served multiple roles during those 13 weeks. First, they were somebody that trainees could talk to when daily stresses became too much. They were also somebody who help them practice tasks that they may be struggling with. A Battle Buddy shared in their triumphs and encouraged them through their struggles. A great example of this is the relationship between Forrest and Bubba in the movie “Forrest Gump”.
A Battle Buddy is a great source of support when you are going through challenging times, but they’re also great thought partners. Someone to bounce ideas off when you are trying to determine what the next step in your journey might be. A Battle Buddy can often help you see things from a different perspective or assist you in fine-tuning your focus.
Selecting a spouse, significant other, or close family member may seem like a logical choice for a Battle Buddy. I strongly recommend that you select somebody who will not be directly impacted by your decisions and your emotions. Still, it should be somebody that you know you can depend on. It is also beneficial if the individual is experiencing the same or similar situation that you are currently facing. That way you can provide support and assist each other through the journey.
Once you have and are, a Battle Buddy there are commitments and ethical guidelines that need to be maintained. Make sure that you do a Buddy Check on a consistent basis. Be open with your Battle Buddy about what you are struggling with, the emotions you’re experiencing, and the concerns that you have. Above all respect the confidence of what you and your Battle Buddy discuss.
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