The relationship between Battle Buddies does not compare to that of a father and son or mother and child, best friend, romantic or even sibling. This relationship is much deeper than each of those relationships because your life is in the hands of your Battle Buddy and theirs is in yours.
If someone slacks, slips or does not pay attention, that can be not just one, but multiple lives. The trust between battles is unspoken and pure. This trust is earned through hours and hours of training, working together and simply being stuck with one another all of the time.
It is an intricate dance of teamwork, knowledge and understanding few will ever truly understand. Combat is a team sport, where no one goes it alone.
Not always is there a way to help your battle buddy, but you always try. No matter the risk to your life, regardless of whether you will be in danger, it is your duty to help them. True Battle Buddies will put their lives on the line for one another. You would die to save them, and when you can’t, it haunts you forever.
Even when you are discharged from the military and Uncle Sam seems to have forgotten you, your Battle Buddies are still there.
After leaving the military, many veterans try to find some sense of normalcy. But nothing can change what has happened to you. You have changed, and you will never be the same person again.
Your Battle Buddies know that, and they are still there — usually just a phone call, email or Facebook chat away — no matter what.
You do not have to physically serve with someone for them to be your Battle Buddy. Regardless of rank, branch or specialty, a service member is always a service member. We are all on the same team and we all have the camaraderie of knowing what it’s like to put our lives on hold and fight for our country.
The Road To Recovery
