Join American Legion Headquarters for a virtual session on the ‘Be The One: Buddy Check’ program on January 30 to explore ways to actively engage in supporting and looking out for other Veterans in the community.

The Buddy Check training session will be Tuesday, January 30, from 4 to 5 pm PST. The session will equip attendees with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct successful Buddy Checks. Register here.

Since its start in 2019, The American Legion’s Buddy Check program has seen over 1 million Veterans checked on by members of the Legion Family. The Internal Affairs and Membership Division is conducting its January Training Tuesday on Buddy Checks – their importance, how to conduct them, and their role in the Legion’s suicide prevention mission of Be the One.

The number of local American Legion posts conducting Buddy Check operations has grown from 3,683 to 4,456. Buddy Checks involve reaching out to Veterans in the community for a simple check-in, in an effort to understand their well-being and explore ways in which the local post can offer assistance. The contact information of American Legion members and former members is available on the MyLegion.org web platform.

In 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs introduced National Buddy Check Week, encouraging participation from local American Legion posts. Additionally, American Legion posts are strongly encouraged, through resolution, to conduct Buddy Check calls during Veterans Week (mid-November) and American Legion Birthday Week (mid-March).

To ensure consistent support, many American Legion posts have established Buddy Check teams that make calls on a monthly or even more frequent basis. These teams are encouraged to have a list of local resources readily available, including American Legion service officers, Vet Centers, VA healthcare facilities, and other organizations capable of providing assistance.

The American Legion has revamped its Buddy Check toolkit and introduced a new door hanger, allowing individuals to demonstrate their care for the well-being of Veterans. Visit legion.org/buddycheck to download a Buddy Check Toolkit and doorhanger, which can be customized as a leave-behind when Legion Family members visit a Veteran who is not at home.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.