The Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program was designed to address the many challenges citizen soldiers and Reservists may encounter throughout the deployment cycle.

Behind the Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program is a simple concept: Military service is unlike any other human experience. No one knows more about the issues facing a soldier – in combat or on the home front – than a fellow soldier.

Each service member’s situation is unique. Volunteer Veterans are trained to listen and connect each person with the support, assistance, and resources he or she needs throughout the deployment cycle. Volunteers can help service members address issues ranging from accessing financial, legal, benefit, or educational assistance to identifying mental health providers for emotional or relationship concerns. The primary goal is to intervene early, before identified concerns or stressors escalate into crises.

The Program was developed by a team of officers and staff specialists from the Michigan Army National Guard (MI ARNG) along with healthcare professionals from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.