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Battle Buddy Response Team® Turns 6 Today!

Today marks six incredible years since the Battle Buddy Response Team® was founded. What began as one veteran’s mission to stand in the gap for others has grown into a national movement—saving lives, restoring hope, and honoring the commitment we all made to never leave a brother or sister behind.

In these six years, BBRT has:

• Responded to thousands of calls from veterans and their families in crisis.
• Traveled coast to coast to provide boots-on-the-ground support—day or night.
• Built trusted partnerships with law enforcement and mental health agencies.
• Created a national network of volunteers and supporters committed to the mission.
• Laid the foundation for long-term impact through our vision to stop and prevent all veteran suicide.

We’re not just an organization—we’re a family, built on the promise that no one fights alone.

To every volunteer, supporter, sponsor, and veteran who has stood with us: thank you. Your belief in our mission fuels every mile we drive and every life we touch.

Here’s to the next chapter—bigger, bolder, and more united than ever.

#battlebuddyresponseteam

www.battlebuddyresponseteam.org

April 2025

Moving Forward with Purpose

Over the last few weeks, Battle Buddy Response Team® has experienced challenges that tested our leadership and our mission. In that time, we’ve received both criticism and overwhelming support — and we are listening, learning, and moving forward with renewed focus.

BBRT was founded to serve veterans and their families in moments of crisis. That mission remains our priority. While emotions and mistakes are a part of being human, integrity, accountability, and service are part of being a leader — and we are committed to all three.

Our founder, Samuel Rock, will be stepping back from live videos temporarily to refocus and recharge — ensuring that when we speak, we do so with strength, clarity, and compassion. Behind the scenes, the mission continues: responding to crisis calls, supporting veteran families, and building the future of this organization.

We thank every single person who continues to stand with us. Your support fuels this team, and we are not done yet. We’re here for the long haul, and we remain dedicated to the vision we started with:

“Serving Veterans and their families. Stopping and preventing all veteran suicide.”

If you need us, we’re still here.

If you believe in our mission, walk with us.

Together, we press forward.

— The BBRT Team

battlebuddyresponseteam.org

#battlebuddyresponseteam

The Battle Buddy Response Team® (BBRT) has officially launched a national initiative aimed at achieving state-level legislative recognition in all 50 states. The goal is simple but powerful: to embed BBRT into state frameworks as an official, veteran-led crisis response organization, dedicated to preventing veteran suicide and supporting those in crisis.

Since 2019, BBRT has responded to hundreds of calls nationwide — traveling across state lines, working hand-in-hand with law enforcement, and offering veterans the trust, connection, and rapid assistance they often can’t find through traditional systems. With growing demand for peer-led mental health support, and staggering suicide rates among veterans, BBRT is stepping up to lead the charge for policy change that saves lives.

“BBRT is already doing the work — now we’re seeking to formalize it,” says founder Samuel Rock, a combat veteran himself. “We want to ensure that every state has the legal support and structure to activate veteran-led response teams when lives are on the line.”

BBRT is actively working with legislators and state departments across Texas, Florida, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, California, Tennessee, and more. But they aren’t stopping there.

If you know of a state representative, senator, or policymaker who would support this mission, please connect them with BBRT or send them our information:

Contact Information:

Samuel Rock

Email: info@battlebuddyresponseteam.org

Phone: (855) 777-BBRT

Website: https://battlebuddyresponseteam.org

Join us in the fight to bring BBRT into law — and bring hope back to those who’ve served.

At Battle Buddy Response Team®, every visit matters — especially when it’s in person.

While every veteran’s journey is unique, over the years we’ve developed a set of core recommendations and tips to support veterans facing various challenges. These resources have been shared during thousands of in-person visits across the country, helping us live out our mission: Serving Veterans and Their Families.

Here are some of the go-to recommendations our team makes during outreach efforts:

1. Addiction Support:
   If a veteran is struggling with addiction, we strongly recommend reaching out to Warriors Heart. They specialize in healing for veterans battling addiction, PTSD, and other trauma-related issues in a safe, peer-based environment.
   Website: https://www.warriorsheart.com
2. PTSD Recovery:
   For those navigating PTSD, we guide veterans to the Warrior PATHH program by Boulder Crest Foundation. This transformative program helps veterans learn how to grow through trauma and find peace after service.
   Website: https://bouldercrest.org
3. Financial Hardship:
   When a veteran is facing financial difficulties, we recommend first connecting with local veteran membership organizations within their town or state. For post-9/11 veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project offers an emergency fund to help cover essential bills during difficult times.
   Website: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
4. Home Repairs:
   If a veteran we’re visiting requires home repairs, our team will reach out to local businesses and contractors, using our nonprofit status to seek support and assistance on their behalf whenever possible.
5. Prayer and Spiritual Support:
   When a veteran requests prayer, we do more than just recommend it — we pray with them. Spiritual connection is powerful, and we believe in standing shoulder to shoulder in faith and hope.
6. Back Pain and Physical Wellness:
   For those dealing with chronic back pain, we recommend a holistic and healthy approach:
   – Improve your diet
   – Stay active with regular exercise
   – Incorporate daily planks (20 seconds a day)
   – Consider massage therapy
   – Visit a quality chiropractor
   Importantly, we do not recommend alcohol or any form of drugs as a solution to physical or emotional pain.

Each situation is different, and our support is tailored to the needs of the veteran in front of us. Whether it’s mental health, housing, physical wellness, or spiritual care — we meet them where they are. And while phone calls and emails are valuable tools, there’s no substitute for showing up in person. A visit from someone who truly cares can make all the difference.

#battlebuddyresponseteam

Learn more or get involved at: https://battlebuddyresponseteam.org

Managing Anxiety with the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Simple, Grounding Tools to Calm the Mind and Body

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but there are simple, science-backed tools that help us slow down and regain control. One of the most effective techniques is the 4-7-8 breathing method—a calming exercise that helps regulate your nervous system, lower stress levels, and ease anxious thoughts.

What is 4-7-8 Breathing?

4-7-8 breathing is a mindful breathwork technique that uses a specific rhythm to calm the body and mind. It’s easy to learn, can be done anywhere, and only takes a few minutes.

Here’s how it works:

1. Exhale fully through your mouth to empty your lungs.

2. Inhale slowly through your mouth for 4 Mississippis.

3. Hold your breath for 7 Mississippis.

4. Exhale gently through your mouth for 8 Mississippis.

5. Repeat this cycle 3 times.

Tip: Try to stay relaxed in your jaw and shoulders. Don’t worry if you can’t hold your breath for the full count—this gets easier with practice.

Grounding Techniques That Enhance the Experience

While 4-7-8 breathing is powerful on its own, combining it with grounding practices can deepen the calming effects and help you stay more present.

1. Seated Grounding Posture

One of the simplest ways to ground yourself is through body posture:

• Sit on the edge of a chair

• Keep your feet flat on the floor

• Sit up tall with your back straight

• Let your hands rest gently on your knees

• Relax your shoulders

• Close your eyes if comfortable, and begin your 4-7-8 breathing

This position naturally calms the body and signals your nervous system that you’re safe and supported.

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Before or after breathing, identify:

• 5 things you can see

• 4 things you can touch

• 3 things you can hear

• 2 things you can smell

• 1 thing you can taste

3. Feet Awareness

Focus on the feeling of your feet pressing into the floor. Imagine the stress slowly draining out of your body and into the earth.

4. Hold a Grounding Object

Use a small object like a textured stone, soft fabric, or stress ball. Focus fully on how it feels in your hand.

5. Temperature Awareness

Hold something warm (like a mug of tea) or cold (like an ice pack). Let the temperature center you in the now.

Practice and Routine Make a Difference

The more you practice 4-7-8 breathing, the easier it becomes. Try adding it to your morning routine, practicing it before bed, or using it in moments of high stress. Whether done alone or paired with grounding, it’s a quick and powerful tool to support your mental well-being.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, reach out. You’re not alone—and there are always tools, support, and people ready to walk beside you.

#battlebuddyresponseteam

War doesn’t end when the guns go silent.

For over two centuries, American service members have stood on the front lines—from the trenches of Europe and the jungles of Vietnam, to the deserts of the Middle East and mountains of Afghanistan. They’ve fought with honor, followed orders, and sacrificed their youth, limbs, minds, and in many cases, their lives.

But for millions, the deepest wounds were carried home—unseen, unspoken, and untreated.

At the Battle Buddy Response Team®, we know this reality all too well. We’ve built our mission around one core truth: most of the suffering veterans endure doesn’t come from war—it comes from what happens after.

A Legacy of Silence

From the Civil War to Operation Inherent Resolve, U.S. military history is filled with tales of heroism. But there’s a parallel story—one of betrayal, neglect, and silence.

• After World War I, soldiers returned with “shell shock,” misunderstood and often labeled weak.

• In Vietnam, combat veterans came home to protests and stigma instead of parades and healing.

• Post-9/11 veterans, despite modern medicine and mental health awareness, still fall through the cracks—many dealing with PTSD, TBI, depression, and survivor’s guilt in silence.

The VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report found that 6,392 veterans died by suicide in 2021 alone—an average of 17 per day. Many were not in combat roles. Many had no diagnosis. But they carried the weight of war all the same.

Source: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp

War Doesn’t Care About Your MOS

One of the biggest misconceptions is that only combat veterans experience trauma. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Mechanics. Medics. Truck drivers. Communications. Admin. Countless veterans in non-combat roles were mortared, ambushed, or thrust into chaotic situations with no preparation—and no recognition afterward.

Their trauma was dismissed because it didn’t fit neatly into a definition. Their injuries weren’t visible. Their battles weren’t documented.

We’ve heard it again and again:

“I wasn’t in combat, so I didn’t think I deserved help.”

“I was in a convoy, we got hit, and no report was ever filed.”

“They said it didn’t qualify for a Purple Heart.”

But war doesn’t care about job titles. Trauma is trauma. Pain is pain. And it’s time we stop pretending otherwise.

Failed by the System

Veterans across generations report a system that fails to recognize their sacrifice:

• World War II and Korea veterans often internalized their trauma for decades, fearing shame or dishonor.

• Vietnam veterans were denied benefits or labeled malingerers, especially when PTSD was still being debated.

• Iraq and Afghanistan veterans faced red tape, long VA waitlists, and an overwhelming sense that nobody was listening.

In some cases, soldiers declined the Purple Heart, saying they didn’t deserve it because they could walk, while their brothers couldn’t. Others never got the chance—their TBIs, psychological trauma, or moral injuries weren’t considered “worthy” enough.

https://www.propublica.org/article/soldiers-with-brain-trauma-denied-purple-hearts-adding-insult-to-injury

When the Truth Gets Buried

There are stories the military and government don’t want to talk about. Like the Nisour Square massacre.

Or the under-armored Humvees sent into IED zones.

Or the whistleblowers, like Scott Thomas Beauchamp, who tried to tell the truth and were shut down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Thomas_Beauchamp_controversy

Even now, countless veterans suffer in silence, wondering if anyone will believe them, or if their story is worth telling.

We’re here to say: It is. And we’re listening.

This Is Why We Exist

At Battle Buddy Response Team®, we aren’t here to blame—we’re here to break the silence.

We step in when others back away.

We listen when no one else will.

And we respond when the system doesn’t.

We serve veterans from all eras and all MOS backgrounds because the battlefield doesn’t end at the border. The trauma often begins once the uniform comes off.

If you’re a veteran with a story that was never told, or pain that was never validated—you’re not alone.

We see you. We believe you. And we’re here to fight beside you.

Verified Resources for Support & Information

• VA Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Data

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp

• Wounded Warrior Project

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

• VA Iraq & Afghanistan Veteran Research

https://www.research.va.gov/topics/oef-oif.cfm

• PTSD in Non-Combat Veterans – Reddit

PTSD in non combat vets
byu/bloodmoon529 inVeterans

• Collateral Murder – Iraq War Footage

https://collateralmurder.wikileaks.org

• Nisour Square Massacre – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisour_Square_massacre

• Scott Thomas Beauchamp Story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Thomas_Beauchamp_controversy

• Under-Armored Vehicle Reports – NYT

https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/world/middleeast/29armor.html

• Journal of Psychiatric Research – PTSD Study

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4168809

• VA Combat Veteran Eligibility

https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp

• ProPublica – Purple Heart Denials

https://www.propublica.org/article/soldiers-with-brain-trauma-denied-purple-hearts-adding-insult-to-injury

• Retroactive Purple Heart – Reddit Thread

Applying for Retroactive Purple Heart
byu/TheRabbitReddit inVeterans

We’re not just another veteran nonprofit—we’re a family of warriors, standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight to heal what war broke.

If you need help, want to share your story, or just want to be heard—reach out. We’re here.

Contact Us:

https://battlebuddyresponseteam.org

info@battlebuddyresponseteam.org

(855) 777-BBRT

#battlebuddyresponseteam

#truthinservice

#veteransmatter

#traumaistrauma

#invisiblewounds

#supportallveterans