Evaluation of the Buddy Team Assignment Program

All Infantry soldiers are assigned a battle buddy during One Station Unit Training (OSUT). In 2000, a pilot program was initiated in which some buddy pairs were also assigned together to their first operational units. The hope was that a familiar face would lessen the stress associated with making this transition, and thereby lower attrition rates. During the pilot period, soldiers with Military Occupational Specialty 11M (Fighting Vehicle Infantryman) were either assigned to the Buddy Team Assignment Program (BTAP) or designated as controls for research purposes. Over a 3-month period, soldiers at Fort Benning, GA were surveyed just before graduating from OSUT and asked a variety of questions about their experience, particularly focusing on their battle buddies. Parallel surveys were administered to BTAP and control soldiers in the field. Results showed that battle buddies had a highly positive impact during OSUT and were generally well liked. This impact was reduced once soldiers were in the field, although there was still greater evidence of a positive than a negative impact. The results suggest that the degree to which soldiers like one another and the level at which they are assigned together (e.g., squad, platoon) have a major impact on program outcomes.Human Resources Research Organization Alexandria VA is the author of 'Evaluation of the Buddy Team Assignment Program' with ISBN 9781423506560 and ISBN 1423506561.