How to Get Involved with the Real Warriors Campaign

Together, we can spread the message that reaching out is a sign of strength! Here are 11 ways to get involved with the campaign:

1. Provide a link to the Real Warriors Campaign website [1] on your website or blog. Groups linking to us as a resource include the Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control [2] and U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command [3].

2. Follow and engage with the campaign’s community on: 
   
    Facebook [4]
    Twitter [5]
   YouTube [6]
    Message Boards [7]

3. Post Real Warriors Campaign messages to your social networking sites. Individuals and units using campaign messaging include Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen who shared the campaign on Facebook as a great resource for warriors, veterans and families, and Fort Hood’s 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment "Black Knights,” who posted the campaign’s “Preparing Children for Deployment” article, among others. Contact us [8] to receive monthly social media messages from our social media team. 

4. Feature the Real Warriors Campaign Live Chat [9] as a resource on your organization’s website like organizations such as DSTRESS [10], Fort Riley [11] [PDF 5.09MB] and The Fort Drum Mountaineer [12].

5. Order or download free campaign materials [13] to distribute at training or educational events, or to display at your facility.  Display materials in key locations on your base such as gyms, bus stops, recreational facilities, military treatment facilities or clinics, cafeterias and other high traffic areas. For example:
   • Defense Commissaries Agency (DeCA) distributed co-branded shopping bags and displayed posters at more than 250 commissaries worldwide, as well as newcomers’ briefings, health fairs and other outreach events.
   • The 807th Army Medical Command ordered more than 54,000 pieces of material to distribute to 108 units nationwide in preparation for Suicide Prevention Month 2010.
   • Veteran’s Affairs Medical Centers, Vet Centers and OEF/OIF program offices have ordered more than 68,000 materials to display at their facilities, distribute at reintegration events and use at trainings and musters.

6. Use Real Warriors Campaign video profiles [14] in training sessions, briefings and presentations to service members, veterans and families. For example:
   • Staff Sgt. Josh Hopper’s profile spliced with Marine leadership messages is an integral part of the Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR) trainings to teach Marines how to prevent, identify and manage combat and operational stress problems and get them the help they need.
   • Lieutenant Col. Carlisle’s profile was used in an Air Force pre-conference session at the 2010 AMSUS conference in Phoenix, AZ.
   • Video profiles and PSA’s have also been used in commander briefings, suicide prevention and awareness training, and other education and outreach initiatives.

7. Join the Real Warriors Campaign Partnership Program [15] to promote your organization’s programs and resources. Our network of partners and affiliates includes military organizations and programs, nonprofit organizations, advocacy organizations and local groups including USMC Combat Operational Stress Control [16], Naval Center Combat & Operational Stress Control [17], Army Wounded Warriors Program [18], Air Forces’ Wounded Warrior program [19], and the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program [20]. 

8. Embed or run a Real Warriors Campaign v [14]ideo profile or public service announcement [14] on your website, closed-circuit television or TV station. For example, profiles and PSA’s have been used in:
   • Staff Sgt. Josh Hopper’s video profile [21] is posted as a training video on the Combat Operational Stress Control website [22]
   • Real Warriors “Voices” PSA [23] is posted on Access Sacramento [24].

9. Include a Real Warriors Campaign advertisement [25] [PDF 1.05MB]; print feature articles; or website article targeted toward active duty service members [26], members of the National Guard and Reserve [27], veterans [28], military families [29], as well as to health professionals [30] who care for them, in your newspaper or publication. Campaign articles and advertisements are being featured in numerous publications including Fort Benning’s The Bayonet [31].

10. Write a letter to local newspaper editors, or ask Public Affairs Officers at your installation to help place PSAs [32] at local affiliate broadcast stations. For pre-written content, contact DCoEmedia@tma.osd.mil [33]. 

11. Show your support to service members in your community by sending an E-card [34].

We want to hear from you! Let us know how you’re using the campaign, additional content addressing the invisible wounds of war that you would like to see on the website, or share your story by emailing us at dcoe.realwarriors@tma.osd.mil [35].