Produced by Marine Corps Suicide Prevention Program (MCSPP)

703-784-9542 | www.usmc-mccs.org/suicideprevent/
INTRODUCTION
Purpose of the NCO Suicide Prevention Training Course
The major objectives of Marine Corps Suicide Prevention training are:
• To foster resilience, emphasizing that all Marines need to be Weapons
Ready—ready for any mission, in combat or in the rear;
• To provide non-commissioned officers (NCOs) with an increased
understanding of suicide, including its causes and impact;
• To reduce the stigma of being in distress and asking for help;
• To provide NCOs with guidance for assisting troubled Marines, such as
recognizing warning signs and encouraging those who are troubled to
seek help;
• To ensure that NCOs are aware of and have access to available resources
to help Marines be as mentally healthy and resilient as possible;
• To ensure that NCOs understand their responsibility to take action.

Course Time
Total time to deliver this course is approximately 3 hours.

Instructors
This course is designed to be taught effectively with two instructors.
Each instructor teaches portions of the course, switching off with the other
instructor. The instructor who is not teaching can control the classroom’s
lights, advance the slides, participate in discussions, provide input in the
form of personal experiences and stories, and assist in answering trainees’
questions. One possible format is the following:

Slides 1–10: Instructor One

Slides 11–20: Instructor Two
Slides 21–25: Instructor One
Slides 26–35: Instructor Two
Slides 36–39: Instructor One

As instructor teams become familiar with the course and experienced

teaching together, they may divide up the course in another fashion that is
more suitable for them.

Materials
• PowerPoint slide presentation (on CD)
• Playable DVD of movie

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 • Instructor Guide
• Sign-in sheet*
• Course evaluation form**
*Instructor should prepare the sheet for keeping a record of attendance.

**Instructor should print out enough copies for every attendee.

Equipment/Settings
• The optimal class size is 20–50 Marines.
• All locations must have audiovisual equipment, including a projector that
can be connected to a computer. In auditorium-type settings, a large
projection screen is essential. (See below for tips related to projecting
video segments from PowerPoint presentations.)
• Have a sign-in sheet at each entrance to the auditorium or classroom.
• If possible, darken the room for optimal viewing of the videos. Close all
shades or blinds, and turn off the lights to view videos. Have lights up for
lecture and discussion portions of the training. (The instructor who is not
teaching a segment should operate the lights.)
• Cell phones, BlackBerries, and all electronic devices must be turned off.
• Have the title slide on the screen approximately 15 minutes before the
start of the course.

Tips for Projecting Video Segments

from PowerPoint Presentations
A significant portion of this course consists of video segments that are
integrated into the PowerPoint slide presentation, in the form of Windows
Media Video (WMV) files. To provide a dynamic, engaging experience for
trainees, note the following tips.

Preparing the PowerPoint Files for Presentation

• The PowerPoint files necessary to conduct the course are contained on
the CD in your course materials.
• The course can be operated entirely from the CD. However, for better
video performance, it is highly recommended that you copy the contents
of the course folder onto your computer’s desktop. The entire course is
contained in a single folder. To copy this folder onto your desktop, just
drag the icon from the CD onto your desktop. Depending upon the speed
of your desktop, this may take several minutes to half an hour.

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Projecting the Presentation
• If you are projecting the slide presentation from a laptop computer
through a projection system, test the system before the training starts,
preferably the day before but at least one hour before the start of class.
--Make sure your set-up includes speakers. Sound quality is critical to
the success of the video segments.
--Test the speakers beforehand. Sit in the farthest seat from the screen,
play a video segment, and make sure you can hear it clearly. Make
sure the computer’s master volume control is on maximum. (Right-
click on the volume icon in the task bar at the bottom of your screen.
Click on Open Volume Control. Adjust Volume Control to the maximum
level. Close window. Right-click on the volume icon again and go to
Adjust Audio Properties. Check that speaker volume is on high, and
click on Advanced to select the speaker configuration. Consult an
audiovisual technician for additional guidance on volume and speaker
configuration.)
• If you are using the room’s existing audiovisual set-up, familiarize yourself
with the equipment and test it, preferably the day before but at least one
hour before the start of a class. If you encounter any problems, contact
the facility’s technical personnel.
Using the Playable DVD
• The movie, which is the first video shown in the course, is provided in
the form of a playable DVD, labeled “Disk 1,” similar to the feature films
you watch for entertainment. A DVD provides a higher-quality viewing
experience than the WMV version of the movie that is embedded in the
PowerPoint presentation.
• If you prefer to show the DVD of the movie at the beginning of the course,
instead of launching the WMV version, make sure you have the necessary
equipment available.
• The DVD can be projected from your laptop computer, if your computer
has a DVD player and the necessary software. Test your laptop and make
sure it is set to full-screen.
• The DVD can also be projected from the facility’s audiovisual equipment,
such as a DVD player. If this is available, test the system first. If you
are teaching in a large auditorium, you may need the assistance of the
audiovisual technicians to cue and play the DVD for you.
• If you are showing the movie from the playable DVD, do not click on the
image shown on Slide 2 of the course. This launches the Windows Media
Video (WMV) version. Simply leave Slide 2 up and play the movie from the
playable DVD.

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 • After the movie ends, click anywhere on Slide 2 EXCEPT on the still image
to advance the presentation to the next slide. Do not click on the still
image because this will launch the WMV version of the movie and it will
start playing again.
Playing a Video Segment in PowerPoint
• The video segments are “launched” from the PowerPoint slide. Each
segment is identified by a still frame on the slide. The video does not play
until you click on the slide. When you click on the slide, the video should
play in full-screen mode.
• After the completion of the video, click anywhere on the slide EXCEPT the
still frame image to advance to the next slide.

Training Methodology
Many instructors will find this training different from any they have attended or
taught for the following reasons:
• The course is taught by peer instructors, not by superiors or professional
trainers.
• The teaching tools are a combination of video and PowerPoint slides
• Central to the course are two types of video:
--A complete drama, depicting a fictional but realistic scenario of a
Marine who is in distress and is suicidal
--Documentary interviews with Marines who have contemplated or
attempted suicide and the family and friends of those Marines and of
Marines who died by suicide
You will play the movie at the beginning of the class, and then go through the
PowerPoint presentation. All video segments are embedded in the slides at
appropriate teaching points.

This technique engages the participants, and with some practice, you will find
that it will enhance your instruction.

The course is designed to be interactive. This means that, at designated

points in the training, participants will actively participate in the learning
through discussions and activities.

Format of the Instructor Guide

Each instructor has a unique teaching style. As you work with this material,
you will develop your own style, favorite stories, questions, and ways to
approach the material. To get you started, we have provided this detailed
Instructor Guide, which provides a sample script for conducting the lesson.

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 Each slide appears on a left-hand page, with talking points below. The talking
points are the major points that must be included. The right-hand page
provides you with a suggested script of what to say as each slide is on the
screen. For slides with embedded video clips, this guide tells you when to
play the video clips and how to introduce them and put them into context for
✎ ✎
the class.
? ?
?
 
? ?following icons are used in this Guide:
✎ The
✎
?
 
??
✎
NOTE PERSONAL STORY
✎

?
?


?

SCRIPT ? TALKING POINTS

VIDEO DISCUSSION

Suggestions for the Instructor

Interactive Techniques
The trainees are likely to ask a lot of questions because of the subject matter
of suicide and the emotional content of the material.

Here are some guidelines you may find helpful:

• Prepare. Prior to the training, watch the movie and other video segments
and go through the slides. Familiarize yourself with the names of the
main characters from the movie and the names of the main subjects of
the documentary interviews. Take notes in the margins of this guide, and
personalize the instruction as much as possible.
• Set the ground rules at the beginning of the class. In smaller
classes, tell the trainees that they are free to ask questions at any time.
Try to allow each trainee a chance to be heard; all contributions are
valuable. How you handle questions in large sizes is a matter of personal
preference. If the number of questions in larger classes gets out of hand,
you may ask trainees to write down remaining questions, which you will
collect at the next break. A few of these questions may be answered at
the beginning of the next segment. If a question is not directly related to
the course objectives, arrange to address it after the course.
• Stick to what you know. If someone asks a question that you can’t
answer, be honest. Have them write down their question, along with
contact information, and try to direct them to someone who CAN answer
the question.

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 • Keep your eye on the clock and stay on topic. You have a lot
to accomplish, and you can’t afford to let discussions or excessive
questions keep you from moving to the next topic. Know when to move
on, but don’t prematurely cut off a productive discussion—especially if
you are ahead of schedule.
• Avoid reading directly from the slides or script. Study the material
thoroughly during and after your training, and review it right before a
class. You should feel comfortable enough with the material that you
maintain eye contact with the participants except to glance at the slides
or script. You may eventually want to create your own, easy-to-follow
script that you use in class.
• Parts of the course require you to prepare personal stories
or anecdotes. Please think about and prepare these personal stories
in advance.
• Know your audience. Instruction should be personalized to the Marines
you are teaching. If you are talking to Marines who have not deployed,
you may want to limit the discussion of combat stress. Not every Marine
has or will deploy, so you need to focus on the stress that is common to
all Marines (relationship, financial, work, and health-related stress).
Conducting Activities
The course contains a few discussions and activities designed to engage the
trainees and to ensure their understanding of the course content. During your
preparation, review the discussions and activities. When discussions require
breaking into small groups, be specific about what the trainees are to discuss
and how much time they have. Suggest a specific way to break into groups.
In some classrooms, they might actually gather in separate areas. In large
classes, they should just talk to the Marines sitting directly around them. Walk
around the room to help facilitate discussion.

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Course Agenda
I. Movie: Never Leave a Marine Behind

Break (10 minutes)

II. Introduction
A. The Crisis
B. Mission
C. Course Overview: Leadership

III. Leadership Responsibility

A. A Weapons Ready Marine
B. The Impact of Suicide
C. The Downward Spiral

Break (10 minutes)

IV. Leadership Action

A. Know Your Marines
B. Recognize
C. Ask
D. Care
E. Escort

V. Leadership Commitment
A. The Way Ahead
B. Being a Leader
C. On the Battlefield and at Home

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Take your seats.

✔✔Turn your phones off.
✔✔Pay attention.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 1 | Never Leave a Marine Behind

✎ NOTE: Have this slide on the screen 15 minutes before the start of
?
 the course.
?
SCRIPT:
• Marines, take your seats.
• Turn your cell phones and all electronic devices off.
• Pay attention.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Introduce yourself.

✔✔The movie is realistic. Bridges made some
mistakes.

Small-group discussion: ✔✔Who do you know like Decker?

✔✔What about Bridges?
After discussion: ✔✔You are responsible for your Marines on the
battlefield and at home.
✔✔10-minute break
✔✔Sign-in sheet
✔✔Advance to next slide for break.

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✎
 ? Slide 2 | Never Leave a Marine Behind
✎

?
 ?
Play video.
Play video without
further introduction.
Introduction will
follow the video.
SCRIPT:
• Welcome to the Marine Corps Suicide Prevention Training.
• I’m SGT XXXXXX.
• Let’s talk about what we just saw. This movie is a realistic If you are asked
depiction of the handling of a suicide intervention. about the gun in
the video.
• What you saw, though, is not the only way to handle a Marine
in distress. In fact, Lance Corporal Decker could have been If you know there
helped much sooner had Sergeant Bridges been focused on his is a weapon on the
premises, notify your
Marine’s well-being. chain of command.
• That was part of his job as a leader. They will make a
decision about
• Sergeant Bridges made some mistakes, and we hope you removing the weapon.
learn from his mistakes. If a Marine has a
• Sergeant Bridges wasn’t dealing too well with his own stress loaded gun and it is in
play, contact the MPs
and it was getting in his way of helping his Marines.
✎ or police immediately.
?

• Fortunately,
 he finally saw what was going on with Decker, Don’t put yourself in
? and he took action that may have saved Decker’s life. danger.

DISCUSSION:
• Do you know someone like Lance Corporal Decker, perhaps Walk around the
someone who saw some pretty serious action in combat or room and help
someone who is having a run of bad luck? Or do you know facilitate the
someone like Sergeant Bridges, who is so focused on keeping discussions.
Gunny off his back that he can’t see that one of his Marines is
in trouble? Depending on class
size, it might be
✎ • Turn to the Marines sitting near you, in groups of four or five,
difficult to hear the
?

 and talk for a few minutes about real-life Marines who remind
?
discussion. Ask
you of the characters in the movie. Marines to turn
to the classroom
(come down front if
NOTE: After five minutes, redirect the trainees’ attention to the front necessary) so that
of the room. Ask Marines to share their comments. Take volunteers, but everyone can hear.
It may be necessary
call on people if you need to. Use the full 10 minutes for the discussion. for you to repeat
some of what the
other Marines say.

Continued on next page r

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 ✎

?

? Continued from previous page

SCRIPT:
• Your everyday role as leaders is similar to Bridges’; you are
responsible for the safety and well-being of your Marines,
whether you are leading them in combat or in the rear.
• Right now, we’re going to take a break. Sign-in sheets are at the
Give the group a
specific time to ✎ entrances. If you didn’t sign in earlier, make sure you do it now
return from break.
? ?
 so that we have a record of your attendance today. Be back in
10 minutes.

NOTE: Click to next slide, which will remain on the screen during
the break.

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15
16
 ✎

?

? Slide 3 | Never Leave a Marine Behind

SCRIPT:
• Welcome back.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Let’s talk about why we’re here.

✔✔____ Marines killed themselves in ________.
(Fill in most current statistics)
✔✔These were mostly young, junior, enlisted
Marines.
✔✔Many had deployed, but many had not.
✔✔Everyone is at risk: Men, women, junior,
senior, enlisted, and officers.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 4 | Why Are We Here?

SCRIPT:
• Let’s talk a little bit about why we are here today. **Make sure you
are using the latest
• We have a job to do. In the movie, you saw a successful
statistics on suicide.
suicide intervention. Sergeant Bridges and Lance Corporal Go to http://www.
Williams were ultimately tough enough to step up when they usmc-mccs.org/
noticed that Lance Corporal Decker was in trouble. Decker was suicideprevent/
lucky that his NCO and his buddy were there for him. stats_faqs.
cfm?sid=ml&smid=3
• Unfortunately, leaders, friends, and families don’t always and look for the
do what they need to do or even recognize that there’s a numbers for the
problem. most recent year.

• We’ve got to change that.

• We need to make it OK to ask for help and to offer help.
• Our task is serious.
• ____ Marines killed themselves in ________.**
That is unacceptable.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔One is too many.

✔✔Most suicides were among young, junior
enlisted men.
✔✔Everyone is at risk.
✔✔Offer help without hesitation. Make it OK
to ask for help.
✔✔This is every Marine’s problem.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 5 | Why Are We Here?

SCRIPT:
• Even one suicide is too many.
• The majority of our suicides are young, junior enlisted men.
• But everyone is at risk—male, female, junior and senior
Marines, Marines who have deployed and those who haven’t.
• We need to learn to offer help without hesitation. More
important, we need to make it OK to ask for help.
• If you think this is somebody else’s problem, you’re wrong.
This is every Marine’s problem.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Suicide is a complicated issue.

✔✔It’s not your job to diagnose problems.
✔✔You have a role as a leader of Marines.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 6 | Course Objectives

SCRIPT:
• Suicide is a complicated issue. Our objective in this course is
not to make you an expert on suicide or to turn you into a
shrink. It’s not your job to diagnose problems. But as leaders
of Marines, you do have a role to play.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Here are the formal objectives.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 7 | Course Objectives

SCRIPT:
Click quickly over
• Marines, here are the formal objectives for this course. this slide. Don’t
allow time to read
objectives.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Our mission is simple: To save

Marines’ lives!
✔✔We wouldn’t think twice about helping
a Marine with a broken leg.
✔✔Emotional distress is no different.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 8 | Mission

SCRIPT:
• But, our mission is really very simple: TO SAVE
MARINES’ LIVES.
• I don’t know why we are so mystified by this, but something’s
got to give.
• We wouldn’t think twice about helping a Marine with a
broken leg, and we wouldn’t make a big deal about him asking
for help.
• A Marine suffering from emotional distress is no different. He or
she has an injury that needs to be taken care of.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔This course is about our role as leaders.

✔✔We know about being leaders, about taking
responsibility, taking action, and having a
commitment to our Marines.
✔✔When a Marine screws up, we need to
ask why.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 9 | Course Overview

SCRIPT:
• This course isn’t just about suicide. It’s about our role as leaders.
• We already know about being leaders of Marines, about taking
responsibility, taking action, and having a commitment to our
Marines.
• Now we need to understand when it’s necessary to get more
involved in our Marines’ personal lives.
• Just like part of leadership is knowing when to chew our Marines
out, it’s also knowing when to say, “What’s going on, Marine?”
• In the movie, you saw Sergeant Bridges do a great job of
chewing out Lance Corporal Decker, which was appropriate.
• But he didn’t stop to think about why Decker was screwing up.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Think about when Bridges was paying

attention and when he stopped.

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Bridges was a good leader in Afghanistan.

✔✔He lost focus at home.
✔✔When Decker started screwing up, Bridges
should have asked, “What’s going on,
Marine?”
✔✔We will revisit the movie.
✔✔We will also see videos that feature real-life
Marines.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 10 | Sergeant Bridges as a Leader

SCRIPT:
• As I play these clips from the movie, look for scenes in which
Sergeant Bridges did a good job of paying attention and for
✎
scenes in which he was less concerned about what was going
?


on with Lance Corporal Decker.
✎
?

? Play video.

✎ DISCUSSION:
?

• Who can identify points where Sergeant Bridges did a great job
? or did a poor job?

NOTE: Skip the following five bullets if the Marines bring up all of
these points in the discussion. Point out anything that they miss.
• In Afghanistan, Sergeant Bridges demonstrated some effective
leadership skills.
• He gave Lance Corporal Decker the credit he deserved for a
good fight, and he tried to reassure him after Karp’s death.
• He also took Decker’s personal needs into account when he
offered to try to assign him to Quantico.
• At weapons training battalion, Bridges was working hard but lost
sight of his responsibility to look out for Decker’s well-being. He
was more concerned about covering his own butt.
✎
• Eventually Bridges recognized that Decker was in serious trouble
?


? and successfully intervened—but he was almost too late.

SCRIPT:
• We’re going to revisit the movie several times during this
course, and we are going to view some other videos as well.
• We’ll throw in a few regular PowerPoint slides to make some
key points, but mostly we’re going to rely on video, including
some videos of real Marines who have thought about killing
themselves or attempted suicide and who got the help
they needed.
• We’ll also hear from the wives and friends of Marines who
weren’t so lucky.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔We have a responsibility to each other and to

the Marines we lead.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 11 | Leadership Responsibility

SCRIPT:
• This is the first of three segments on leadership.
• We are going to talk about our responsibility to each other and to
the Marines we lead so that we can avoid some of the mistakes
that Sergeant Bridges made.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman is a

Marine’s Marine.
✔✔He embodies honor, courage, and
commitment.

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Staff Sergeant Workman isn’t a Marine you

would expect to attempt suicide.
✔✔He realized he needed help and got it.
✔✔It’s OK for Marines to talk when they are
in distress.
✔✔Even the toughest Marines are human.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 12 | Honor, Courage, Commitment

SCRIPT:
• Now we’re going to watch a video about a Marine’s Marine,
Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman.
• To be an effective leader, you need to exemplify the three
Marine Corps values: honor, courage, and commitment. Staff
✎
Sergeant Workman enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000 and
?


there is no doubt that he embodies those values.
✎
?


? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman probably isn’t the kind of
Marine you’d expect to even contemplate suicide.
• But he did, and he realized he needed help and got it.
• He also realized that it’s OK to talk about it. It’s not just OK; it
can be a matter of life and death.
• It is important for us to hear from Marines such as Staff Sergeant
Workman because we need to know that even the toughest
Marines are human.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔A Marine is the most effective weapon on the

battlefield.
✔✔This Marine is ready for any mission—in
combat or at home.
✔✔Weapons Ready is about the Head, Heart,
Body, Buddy, and Rifle.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 13 | Weapons Ready

SCRIPT:
• You all know that the most effective weapons on the battlefield
are the Marines themselves.
• As a 21-year-old squad leader in Fallujah, Jeremiah Workman
was ready for anything.
• He was Weapons Ready.
• When we say that a Marine is Weapons Ready, we are talking
about more than his rifle. We are talking about his Head, Heart,
Body, Buddy, and Rifle.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔As Weapons Ready Marines, we must have

our heads screwed on right.
✔✔We are smart, well-trained, and competent in
our MOS’s.
✔✔We think on our feet.
✔✔We are focused on the mission.
✔✔We are in control.
✔✔We are optimistic and confident about every
mission.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 14 | Head

SCRIPT:
• We’re going to start from the top. We know that we have to be
in great physical shape to fight; but we also have to have our
heads screwed on right.
• Many of our leadership traits and principles are about this.
• We must know ourselves, work to improve our weaknesses,
and utilize our strengths.
• Our jobs require us to be smart, well-trained, and competent
in our MOS’s.
• We have to think on our feet.
• We must keep our Marines informed so they can do their jobs
without our constant supervision.
• Our jobs also demand that we stay focused on our missions
and stay in control of our thoughts.
• We have to be optimistic, alert and confident about every
mission we tackle, whether in combat or at home.
• Being smart, however, also means recognizing stress and
learning how to cope with it.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔A Weapons Ready Marine has healthy

relationships with a girlfriend or boyfriend,
a spouse, friends, and family.
✔✔A bad relationship can be distracting.
✔✔A Weapons Ready Marine is proud and
honorable; being a Marine is a calling.
✔✔A Weapons Ready Marine is emotionally
stable.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 15 | Heart

SCRIPT:
• In focusing on our hearts, we’re not talking about being super
sensitive or being a wuss.
• What we are saying is that a Marine performs better on the job
if he or she has healthy relationships, whether with a girlfriend
or boyfriend, a spouse, with parents or with friends.
• If you’re distracted by a relationship that has tanked or by a
parent’s illness or other family stress, your head and your heart
won’t be focused on the mission.
• In the movie, Lance Corporal Decker was dropping the ball at
weapons training battalion because he was worried about his
relationship.
• We also need to feel pride and honor about the jobs that we do.
Being a Marine is a calling.
• All of these things—and being emotionally stable—help
Marines to be prepared for whatever missions we face.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔We must be physically strong and healthy.

✔✔It’s not just about PT.
✔✔We have to eat right, sleep well, and avoid
drugs.
✔✔We shouldn’t drink too much alcohol.
✔✔If we’re sick or injured, we go to the doctor.

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 ✎

?

? Slide 16 | Body

SCRIPT:
• This is an easy one. We know we can’t kick ass if we aren’t
physically strong and healthy. This has been drilled into us
since the day we joined the Marine Corps.
• It’s about more than PT, but that’s definitely part of it.
• We also have to eat right, sleep well, avoid drugs, or too
much alcohol.
• Hanging out at the club is fine, but knocking back too many
beers or too much Jack Daniels, especially alone, is not. You
saw that in the movie: Lance Corporal Decker was drinking alone
and it wasn’t helping him to deal with his issues.
• This can also mean hauling our asses into the clinic when we
are sick or injured. We don’t have time to be out of service for
long.
• Eating right and sleeping are tough whether you are deployed or
back at home, but you have to do it. Eat when you get a chance
to eat; sleep when you get a chance to sleep.

43
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔We have each other’s backs.

✔✔We trust each other with our lives.
✔✔We work well with others to accomplish
missions.
✔✔We need friends we can turn to.

44
 ✎

?

? Slide 17 | Buddy

SCRIPT:
• We’re all good at what we do, but we are unstoppable as a
unit—like Staff Sergeant Workman and seven other pissed-off
Marines. If anything, that’s what being a Marine is really
all about.
• We have each others’ backs all the time. That has to mean
on the battlefield and at home. We trust each other with
our lives.
• You’re never going to like everyone in your unit, but you can put
all that aside to focus on the mission.
• At the same time, most of us have someone in our unit that we
really enjoy hanging out with, a friend we can turn to.

45
?

TALKING POINTS:

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Williams was a good friend.

✔✔He had Decker’s back.
✔✔Like Bridges said, “He will make a damn
fine leader.”

46
 ✎

?

? Slide 18 | Buddy

SCRIPT:
✎
• As you watch this next clip from the movie, think about what it
?


means to have your buddy’s back.
✎
?

? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• Throughout the movie, you clearly saw that Lance Corporal
Williams was Lance Corporal Decker’s friend and had
Decker’s back.
• Bridges said that Williams will make a fine leader because part of
being a leader is being a friend.
• In that scene by the lake, Williams said, “I’ve got your back” and
Decker blew him off because Williams had never deployed.
• It’s not about whether you have deployed; it’s about being
a Marine.
• Williams had Decker’s back the whole way through because
that’s just something that ALL MARINES SHOULD DO.

47
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔If your rifle is broken, you get it fixed.

✔✔If your Marine is broken, you have to get that
Marine fixed.
✔✔Also, think about the injuries you can’t see.

48
 ✎

?

? Slide 19 | Rifle

SCRIPT:
• Finally, you know there is nothing more dangerous on the
battlefield than a Marine and his rifle. We respect our rifles
and we take care of them.
• If your rifle is broken, you get it fixed.
• If you see your fellow Marine is broken, you have to get that
Marine fixed.
• But it’s not just about the injuries you can see, such as a broken
leg. It’s about the injuries you can’t always see.

49
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Put all those pieces together: Head, Heart,

Body, Buddy, and Rifle.
✔✔You have to make sure all of your Marines
are Weapons Ready.
✔✔A Weapons Ready Marine is resilient—or
tough enough for any mission.
✔✔If it were easy to keep Marines Weapons
Ready, we wouldn’t be here today.

50
 ✎

?

? Slide 20 | A Weapons Ready Marine

SCRIPT:
• You put all of those pieces together—the head, heart, body,
buddy, and rifle—and you have a prepared Marine who is ready
for any mission. What scares our enemies the most? Is it a
fighter jet, a tank…or a squad of Marines?
• It’s the Marines coming down the street because the enemies
know they have two options: either run or die.
• Weapons Ready applies to any mission—whether deployed
or not deployed.
• As leaders, you should all be Weapons Ready. You can’t be
effective if you are not.
• But there is more to it. You’ve got to make sure that all of your
Marines are Weapons Ready, too.
• When a Marine is Weapons Ready, he or she is resilient, or
tough enough to handle a lot of stress.
• He stays that way by strengthening his mind, heart, body etc.
They all work together.
• He notices when stress is becoming overwhelming and takes a
break or goes for a run to clear his mind.
• He knows when to call a friend, or to get several friends
together to hang out and unwind.
• All of that sounds easier than it is.
• If it were easy to keep all Marines Weapons Ready, whether in
the theater or back home, we wouldn’t be here today.

51
?

TALKING POINTS:

Play video.

After video: ✔✔When a Marine dies by suicide, it affects a

family, friends, a unit, and the Marine Corps.
✔✔Suicide is preventable.
✔✔Sergeant Workman got help, and it didn’t
affect his career; he still got promoted.
✔✔Every Marine in this video was Weapons
Ready at some point.
✔✔What went wrong?
✔✔Stress had become overwhelming.

52
✎
 ? Slide 21 | The Impact of Suicide
✎

?
 ?
Play video.

SCRIPT:
• Well, that sure sucked the good mood out of this room. We
told you that EVERYONE is at risk, even the toughest, most
experienced Marines.
• If you didn’t already understand the urgency of our mission,
I hope you get it now.
• When a Marine dies by suicide, it doesn’t just affect one
Personalize how it
person. It affects that Marine’s family and friends, it affects affects the unit or
the Marine’s unit, and it affects the entire Marine Corps. the Corps. Example:
When one of your
• The real tragedy is that most suicides are preventable. But one Marines dies by
key is asking for help EARLY. We have to remove the stigma suicide, you don’t
of asking for help. want anyone else
driving his truck or
• Gunny Gallagher, Major Ruocco, Sergeant Stumpf—they didn’t sitting in his cubicle.
ask for help. Probably because they thought that asking for You wonder what
help would automatically end their careers or would make you could have done
them look weak. to stop it. You start
to second-guess
• Staff Sergeant Workman got help, and he got promoted. yourself and your
And he’s anything but weak. Marines. It affects unit
confidence.
• Asking for help isn’t an automatic career ender, especially if
it’s done early, when problems are small.
• But putting a gun to your head and pulling the trigger IS a
career ender. That’s why suicide is called a permanent solution
to a temporary problem.
• There was a time when every Marine in that video was
Weapons Ready. What went wrong? It’s not just that they were
experiencing stress. We all experience stress. But for these
Marines it had become overwhelming.

53
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Stress is part of life.

✔✔Our jobs as Marines are stressful.
✔✔How we respond to stress is the issue.
✔✔Let’s look at how Decker responded
to stress.

Play video.

54
 ✎

?

? Slide 22 | The Downward Spiral: Decker

SCRIPT:
• Stress is part of life. New job challenges cause stress. Personalize the list
Traffic jams cause stress. Families can cause a LOT of stress. of things that cause
✎ The mechanic who screwed up the brake job on your truck stress. Talk about
?
causes
 you stress. Trying to balance a job and going to school what causes you

? causes stress.
stress.

✎
?

DISCUSSION

? • What causes you stress?

✎ NOTE: Take about five minutes to let Marines share their answers
?


? about what causes them stress.

SCRIPT:
• Let’s face it. Our jobs as Marines are stressful, whether we are
in the rear or in combat.
• We usually function really well in stressful situations.
• How we respond to stress is the issue. The real mystery for all
of us is: Why can we handle certain stress on one day but not
✎ the next. On any given day, what is our breaking point?
?


• Let’s look at how Lance Corporal Decker responded to stress.

Play video.

55
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Decker’s mood and outlook were up

and down.
✔✔That’s normal.
✔✔When stress piled up, Decker started to
respond in unhealthy ways.
✔✔Decker’s stress was about his relationship,
money, and his job.
✔✔Bridges was threatening to non-rec him.
✔✔Decker was drinking more and sleeping less,
and it took a physical toll.

Discussion: ✔✔What signs of stress have you seen in

your Marines?

56
 ✎

?

? Slide 23 | The Downward Spiral: Red Flags

SCRIPT:
• Decker’s mood and outlook were up and down early in
the movie.
• That’s pretty normal, even when someone is under a lot
of stress.
• Decker seemed to be pretty happy when he first got to Quantico.
• It was when the stress started to pile up that Decker started
responding in unhealthy ways.
• He had problems in his relationship; he was concerned about
money because Kelly was moving out; he was under pressure at
work; his sergeant was threatening to non-rec him.
• He was starting to drink more, wasn’t sleeping well, and all
✎
?

this took a physical toll. He could no longer keep up with

of
? Williams when they went for a run.

✎ DISCUSSION:
?

• What are other signs of stress that you have seen in your
? Marines?

NOTE: Take about five minutes to let several Marines respond to

this question.

57
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔How did Bridges miss all of the red flags?

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Sergeant Bridges was not taking care

of himself.
✔✔He was worried about getting Gunny off
his back.
✔✔He was under stress, and it got in the way.
✔✔As NCOs, it’s important that we take care of
ourselves.
✔✔If we don’t take care of ourselves, how
can we tell our Marines to take care of
themselves?
✔✔Stress is a weight pressing down on us,
much like a combat load.

58
 ✎

?

? Slide 24 | When Stress Gets in the Way

SCRIPT:
• Decker may not have been asking directly for help, but he
✎
was putting up some pretty big red flags. How did Sergeant
?


Bridges miss them?
✎
?


? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• Sergeant Bridges wasn’t taking care of his own stress, so
he wasn’t able to focus on what was going on with the Marines
around him.
• He was more concerned about keeping Gunny off his back.
• It’s very important to take care of ourselves. Again, if we’re not
squared away, we can’t really be there for our Marines.
• Sergeant Bridges was under stress. He wasn’t Weapons
Ready, so he couldn’t make sure that Lance Corporal Decker
was Weapons Ready.
• Taking care of ourselves is also about being role models for
our fellow NCOs and our junior Marines. We can’t just tell our
Marines they need to take care of themselves; let’s take care of
ourselves.
• It’s interesting that we talk about being UNDER STRESS
because stress really is like a weight pressing down on us.
• Think about today’s combat load and what it can do to your
body. We’ve probably all trained with a pretty significant load.
Even if you haven’t deployed and had to wear and carry 80
pounds of gear, I’m sure you can imagine what that does to
your back and to your knees over time. Marines are tough, and
we can carry a lot of weight, but eventually it takes its toll.
• Stress is the same way. We can handle a lot of it for periods of
time. But after a while it takes its toll—on our heads and hearts
as well as our bodies.
• There are going to be some leaders who still don’t get that it’s
OK to ask for help.

59
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Let’s talk about the tools we need to

take action.

60
 ✎

?

? Slide 25 | Leadership Action

SCRIPT:
• We have been talking about our responsibility as leaders and
about the difference between Marines who are Weapons Ready
and those who are struggling with stress.
• Now we are going to talk about tools we need to take action—
specific things you can do to strengthen your leadership skills so
that it’s easier to help our Marines lighten their stress loads.

61
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Knowing our Marines is a leadership

principle.

Play video.

After video: ✔✔We have to talk, but more importantly we

have to listen—without judging.
✔✔We have to know ALL of our Marines.
✔✔What’s normal for one Marine might not be
normal for another.
✔✔Taking an interest in our Marines improves
unit morale.
✔✔We also need to get to know their families
and friends.
✔✔Taking an interest builds trust.
✔✔Let your Marines know you.
Tell a personal story.

62
 ✎

?

? Slide 26 | Know Your Marines
✎
?
 SCRIPT:
✎ • Knowing our Marines is one of our leadership principles.
?

? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• These Marines said it all: We have to talk, and more importantly
we have to listen—and we need to listen without judging.
• We have to know ALL of our Marines.
• Before we can spot trouble, we have to know what is normal for
each Marine.
• Warning signs in one Marine—such as a quick temper—might be
normal for another. It’s not about whether or not your Marine is
getting in bar fights; it’s whether he’s getting into more bar fights
than usual.
• Knowing our Marines is not just about knowing the basics:
married or single, number of kids, kids’ names, though those are
good places to start.
• Talk to your Marines. Ask them what they do in their spare time,
which teams they root for, why they joined the Marine Corps.
• This all may seem like small talk, but it sends the message to
your Marine that you are interested in knowing more about them.
• Go a step further and have a unit barbecue, or invite everyone to
meet after work every now and then, maybe to watch a game or
shoot some pool.
• Invite families or boyfriends and girlfriends, too. It’s important for
family and friends to know you, so they can turn to you if they
spot trouble before you do.
• Little things like these can help build unit morale, which can do
a lot to keep stress from becoming overwhelming.
• All Marines perform better when morale is high, even in the most
stressful situations.
• Showing interest will also help our Marines trust us. They
will know that we have their backs at home as well as on the
battlefield, and they will know they can turn to us when they are
in trouble.
• You should also let your Marines know you.

Continued on next page r

63
 ✎

?

? Continued from previous page

✎ NOTE: Share a personal story about dealing with stress.

?
 For examples, see box at left.

PERSONAL STORY

Your personal story

should be about a
stressful situation
(losing a buddy
in combat, being
dumped, concerns
about money, about
being non-rec’d) and
how you felt and
how you handled
it. Be candid about
talking to the chaplain
or to a counselor
if you did that. By
telling a real story
about yourself,
you are letting the
Marines in the training
know you. You are
demonstrating what
you are teaching:
that we need to let
Marines know us so
that they know it’s OK
to talk to us.

64
65
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔RACE – Recognize, Ask, Care, Escort

✔✔Remembering this might help you save
a life.

66
 ✎

?

? Slide 27 | The RACE Method of Suicide Prevention

SCRIPT:
• Knowing your Marines lays the groundwork for helping them
when they are in crisis.
• The RACE Method is an easy-to-remember tool that will help
you take the necessary action to respond to such a crisis.
• RACE stands for Recognize, Ask, Care, and Escort.
• Remembering that may help you save a life.

67
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Look for changes in behavior.

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Common sources of stress are relationship

issues, financial problems, trouble at work,
legal or administrative action, and health
concerns.
✔✔Look for those, but also look for sudden
changes from the norm, such as skipping
haircuts and declining work performance.
✔✔Listen for comments about feeling worthless
or about death or dying.

68
 ✎

?

? Slide 28 | Recognize

SCRIPT:
• Listening to your Marines is one way to spot trouble, but
another is to recognize changes in behavior.
✎
• Changes in behavior are the key to recognizing a Marine
?


in distress.
✎
?


? Play video.

SCRIPT:
✎
?

• Asyou can see, the causes of depression and thinking about

? suicide are complex; it’s never just one thing.

✎
?

DISCUSSION:

? • What issues were the Marines in the video facing?

✎ NOTE: Take 5–10 minutes to discuss the causes of stress

?

 highlighted in the documentary.

?
SCRIPT:
• Some of the most common sources of stress in suicidal Marines
are failing relationships, problems at work, pending legal or
administrative actions, injuries or other health problems, and
financial hardship.
• Even if you create an open environment where Marines are
encouraged to talk about what’s going on in their lives, some of
them will be reluctant to let anyone know that they are feeling
overwhelmed. A Marine may not tell you that he has been
dumped by his girlfriend, that he is worried about an injury, or
that he is down to $23 in his checking account and he hasn’t
paid his rent.
• So recognizing symptoms is about more than just listening.
It’s also about looking. What are you looking for? Any sudden
changes from the norm. Is a Marine no longer getting regular
haircuts? Does his or her uniform look like crap? Is his Enter local bar and
personal appearance up to par? Maybe he no longer jumps at team names into
the chance to hang out at __________ to watch the __________. blanks on the left.

Continued on next page r

69
 Continued from previous page

• What about work performance? Is it falling below the usual

standards?
• Someone who is having suicidal thoughts might make
comments about feeling worthless or about death or dying.
• He may be suddenly calm after a period when he was agitated
or angry. He may be giving away his prized belongings.

70
71
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Sometimes we have to confront a Marine.

Play video.

After video: ✔✔Start with simple questions, such as “What’s

going on?”
✔✔Sometimes you have to ask tough questions,
including, “Are you thinking of killing
yourself?”
✔✔If the answer if yes, you have to take action.

72
 ✎

?

? Slide 29 | Ask

SCRIPT:
✎
• Once you have recognized the signs of stress, sometimes it is
?


necessary to confront a distressed Marine head on.
✎
?

? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• Even simple questions—What’s going on? Can I help?—may If you are asked
get a Marine to talk, and talking can help lighten that load. about the gun in
the video.
• But sometimes a Marine will blow you off if you only throw
softball questions. If your gut tells you that something is really If you know there
wrong, you have to step up and throw some hardballs, such as: is a weapon on the
premises, notify your
“Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
chain of command.
• Do not say “hurting yourself,” but “killing yourself.” They will make a
decision about
• Use those words. removing the weapon.
• And don’t ask in the negative way that Lance Corporal If a Marine has a
Williams did. loaded gun and it is in
play, contact the MPs
• If you say, “You’re not thinking of killing yourself, are you?” you or police immediately.
have told the Marine that “no” is the answer you want Don’t put yourself in
to hear. danger.

• Take a chance that “yes” is the answer you will get and ask,
“Are … you … thinking … of … killing … yourself?”
• If the answer is “yes,” you have to act.
• If the answer is “no,” you have to decide if you believe that
answer. If your gut tells you that something is seriously wrong,
ask again. And again.

73
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Now we’re going to see a real-life story about

a Marine and the NCOs and friends who
helped him.

Play video.

After video: ✔✔These Marines did everything right.

✔✔They knew their Marine, recognized signs of
distress and took care of him.
✔✔Part of caring is stopping any attempts in the
unit to stigmatize a Marine who gets help.
✔✔While you are helping Marines, make sure you
take care of yourself.

74
 ✎

?

? Slide 30 | Care

SCRIPT:
• Earlier, when we discussed a Weapons Ready Marine, we
saw how Lance Corporal Williams was a good friend to Lance
Corporal Decker.
• Now we are going to see a real-life scenario about one Marine
✎
and the leaders and friends who cared for him when he was
?


in crisis.
✎
?


? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• These guys did everything right.
• Corporal Maunus is really lucky to have those Marines. This is a
great example of how Marines should be there for each other—
and not just on the battlefield.
• Corporal Maunus is a Marine who had never deployed, but he
had the same kind of support at home that Marines so easily
offer in combat.
• And he is another Marine who was suicidal, got help, and was
later promoted.
• Caring is about helping a Marine when he is a crisis and
continuing to be there for him after he gets help.
• That Marine is coming back to you. You never know—this
Marine may be the one who saves your life one day.
• How do you stay involved?
• Call or visit the Marine if he has to take leave to deal with
the crisis.
• Check in with the Marine’s family. If you don’t already know
the family, this is the time to correct that. Your support can be
very reassuring and may be important to a Marine’s ultimate
recovery.
• It’s important to make sure that the Marine is welcomed back to
the unit. It’s your job to make it clear to the entire unit that you
want this Marine back, that he or she is an asset, and that he or
she has your full support and confidence.

Continued on next page r

75
 Continued from previous page

• You must stop any attempts to stigmatize the Marine for

seeking help.
• There are a few things to consider as you work to re-integrate a
Marine:
--Privacy is always a concern. You don’t need to share
personal details with the rest of the unit, but work with your
Marine to share enough so rumors don’t run rampant.
--You also have to consider your own well-being. How much
strain does helping this Marine put on you? You don’t turn
your back because it’s difficult, but you might need to ensure
that you have adequate support.
--You can be there for your Marines, but make sure that
someone is there for you, too.
--You are leaders, but that doesn’t protect you from the stress
of dealing with a potential suicide. Watch out for yourselves!

76
77
?

TALKING POINTS:

Small-group discussion: ✔✔Where did they take Decker?

✔✔List four places you could take Decker
and rank them.

After discussion: ✔✔There is no right or wrong answer EXCEPT:

- If a Marine has already done something
to injure himself, such as cutting himself
or taking pills. This Marine must be
taken to the ER.
- If a Marine has said he is thinking of
killing himself, the Marine needs to be
seen by a chaplain or medical provider.

78
 ✎

?

? Slide 31 | Escort

DISCUSSION:
• In the discussion on care, we touched on the last step in
RACE: Escort. Let’s talk about that a little bit more.
• In the clip about asking the question, Sergeant Bridges and
Lance Corporal Williams have gotten Lance Corporal Decker
to admit that he is in distress, and they are going to take him
somewhere. But in the movie, you don’t see where they go.
• Turn to the three or four Marines who are sitting near you, and
✎ take five minutes to discuss where you would have taken
?

 Decker. List four places you would consider taking him given
? the circumstances, and rank them, from your first choice down.

NOTE: After five minutes, or when it’s clear that most Marines
have stopped talking, end the discussion. Ask a group to share its
rankings. Specifically ask for rankings, not just one answer. Call on
another group to share its rankings. Acknowledge that their answers
are good (assuming that they aren’t out of left field). Plan to spend
about 10 minutes on the large-group discussion. Based on the time
available, call on a third, fourth, or fifth group, as you see fit.
✎
?

 The script below talks about the differences in rankings that Marines If the rankings of the
? might give you. See the box at right for an explanation of differences. groups who report
differ, there is a very
good reason. There
SCRIPT: may not be one right
• As you can see from this discussion, there are a lot of options. answer, and be sure
that you make that
• Every situation is different, and there may not be one right point. Emphasize
answer. that there are certain
circumstances
• I know Marines tend to see things in black and white and like that do require
to have a specific set of instructions, but that’s not always specific action. The
possible when dealing with something as complex as suicide. emergency room
is the only option
• There are two circumstances, though, that do require specific if a Marine has
actions. taken pills, cut or
shot himself or is
• The emergency room is the only option if a Marine has otherwise injured.
already done something to injure himself—has taken pills or If a Marine has
otherwise harmed himself. explicitly stated that
he is thinking of killing
• If a Marine has said that he is thinking of killing himself, himself, he needs to
he needs to be seen by a chaplain or medical provider. be seen by a chaplain
or medical provider.

79
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔There are many resources available.

✔✔Ask a Marine if he has a preference about
where you take him.
- Chaplains and Marine and Family
Services counselors offer greater
confidentiality.
✔✔Whatever you do, DON’T LEAVE THE
MARINE ALONE.
✔✔There are more options if you notice
problems early—while they are small.
✔✔But even big problems aren’t necessarily
career-enders.
✔✔Remember: Staff Sergeant Workman
was promoted.

Discussion: ✔✔Think about the movie.

✔✔Where could Bridges have taken Decker if he
had acted earlier?

Hand out RACE bi-fold.

80
 ✎

?

? Slide 32 | Resources

SCRIPT:
Instructors should
• If the crisis has not reached that level, there are more options download the RACE
available. bi-fold from http://
www.usmc-mccs.
• The resources at the top of this slide are the best places to take org/display_files/
a Marine in most circumstances. R_A_C_E%20
• The chain of command, chaplain, and medical personnel BI-Fold%20with%20
Explanation%20
can direct you to other resources. Page.pdf. The bi-fold
• Exactly what is available will depend on whether the Marine has a place for local
is in garrison, in a town or city that is not near an installation, phone numbers, and
the instructor should
✎ or in theater. fill in the numbers for
?


? • There are so many resources available that we couldn’t fit them
on one slide.
his or her unit and
then print enough
copies to distribute to
the class. The bi-fold
NOTE: Click quickly through the remaining resources slides to show prints five per page.
how much is available then return to the first resource slide.

• Sometimes, the Marine will have a preference about where to

go, and you should ask: “Are you more comfortable going to the
chaplain, the sergeant major or the doc?”
• Whatever you do, DON’T LEAVE A MARINE IN CRISIS ALONE.
• Many Marines are concerned about confidentiality.
• Chaplains and Marine and Family Services counselors offer more
confidentiality.
• However, the chain of the command may need to know what
is going on in order to make decisions about what is best for the
Marine in question and for the unit as a whole.
• We have no interest in putting Marines on the chopping block.
This is why catching the signs early and taking action early is
so important. When the problems are small, it’s much easier to
ensure a positive outcome for everyone involved.
• Unfortunately, Decker’s problems were big before Bridges
realized what was going on, so Decker required medical care.
• That doesn’t mean that Decker’s career would be over, though.
✎ Jeremiah Workman had reached rock bottom and attempted
?

 suicide before he realized that he really needed help. Even after

? his suicide attempt, he was promoted to staff sergeant.

NOTE: Hand out the RACE bi-fold to the Marines. Explain that the
RACE bi-fold is a useful tool for remembering what to do if a buddy
is in distress, and includes numbers to important resources.

Continued on next page r 81

 ✎

?

? Continued from previous page

DISCUSSION:
• Think back to the movie. Sergeant Bridges could have intervened
much earlier if he had realized that Decker was having problems.
✎

?
• What would his options have been had he recognized Decker’s
? lingering guilt over Karp’s death, for example?

NOTE: Take a few minutes to discuss this question as a large group.

Four choices for this scenario would be the chaplain; the chain of
command, who is also dealing with Karp’s death; Operational Stress
Control and Readiness (OSCAR); and the Deployment Health Clinic.
✎
?

 • What if Bridges had learned about the problems with Kelly

? sooner? Where might he have sent Decker for help?

NOTE: Take a few minutes to discuss this question as a large

group. Choices may include: the chaplain; Decker’s Marine mentor;
chain of command; a Marine and Family Services counselor; Family
✎ Readiness Officer; Family Team Building.
?


? • Where could Decker go if he was worried about money?

NOTE: Take a few minutes to discuss this question as a large group.

Choices may include: the chain of command, who can help Decker
with his lease; Marine and Family Services, which offers financial
counseling; and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which offers loans.

82
83
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Many of the same resources are available for

Marines in theater or who are geographically
isolated.
- Geographically isolated include
Reservists and those in I&I, Recruiting,
and on Embassy duty

84
 ✎

?

? Slide 33 | Resources

SCRIPT:
• Many resources are still available in theater or for Marines
who are geographically isolated, such as Reservists and those
serving in I&I, recruiting, or embassy duty.

85
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔In addition, there are numerous national

resources, including hotlines.
✔✔The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is
completely anonymous.
✔✔Military OneSource offers free counseling for
Marines and their spouses.

86
 ✎

?

? Slide 34 | Resources

SCRIPT:
• In addition to local resources, there are also national resources,
including hotlines Marines can call when they are in trouble.
• These include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which
is staffed by trained counselors. You can call when you are in
crisis, you can call on behalf of another Marine, or you can be
there with a Marine while he or she calls. If you call on behalf of
another Marine, a counselor will give you tips on dealing with
people in crisis.
• Another option is Military OneSource, which offers free
counseling, either face-to-face, by phone, or through
online chat. The services are available for service members
and their dependents.

87
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔A full list of resources is available at the

suicide prevention website.

88
 ✎

?

? Slide 35 | Resources

SCRIPT:
• A full list of resources is available at the Marine Corps Suicide
Prevention Program website.
• Click on the “Never Leave a Marine Behind” Course Banner, and
it will take you to a page with all course files.
• Scroll down and look for “USMC Suicide Prevention Resources.”

89
?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔Now we are going to talk about

the path forward.

90
 ✎
Slide 36 | Leadership Commitment:

?

? Keeping Your Marines in the Fight

SCRIPT:
• We have talked about leadership responsibility and action.
Now, let’s talk about the path forward, and our commitment
to our Marines.

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?

TALKING POINTS:

✔✔You should have a commitment to help your

Marines.
✔✔You should share what you have learned.
✔✔This whole course is available in an online
Resource Library.
✔✔It is in modules so you can teach small
segments to your Marines.
✔✔Use “Ask the Question” video or the video
about Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman for
short training sessions.
✔✔You can invite a counselor to talk to your
unit to show that you value the assistance
counselors can give.
✔✔Remember that you have to be a role model:
Show your Marines how to be Weapons
Ready by taking care of yourself.

92
 ✎

?

? Slide 37 | Commitment: The Way Ahead

SCRIPT:
• You should walk away from this training with a commitment
to know your Marines and to help your Marines. You are
expected to share what you have learned. One way to do this is
to use the Resource Library.
• Your Junior Marines are getting their own course, but you still
have a responsibility to talk to them.
• The Resource Library contains this whole course, broken
down into modules. You can design short training sessions for
your own Marines, by using the modules.
• Here are two examples:
--You can use the “Ask the Question” video module to set up
a role-playing session to help Marines practice what to say if
they know a Marine who is in distress and may be suicidal.
--You can use the “Honor Courage Commitment” video that
features the story of Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman to
help Marines understand that even the most stellar Marine
can face serious problems and still get promoted. This can
help eliminate the stigma associated with depression or
other problems.
• You can also have more informal “hip-pocket” discussions
when issues arise with individual Marines or with the unit.
• Make copies of the resources list from the website, and
encourage Marines to make copies for their families and friends.
• Invite a counselor from the Marine and Family Counseling
Center to your unit to describe the services they provide and to
answer questions. This demonstrates to your Marines that you
value the assistance that counselors provide.
As time allows, take
• Model healthy behavior. If you are resilient, you will be a questions from the
stronger leader, and you also will show your Marines how to trainees about this
manage stress. segment or any
other subject in the
• Ultimately, the Marine Corps needs to experience a shift in course. Be sure to
attitude. All Marines need to understand the importance of allow at least five
minutes for the final
asking for help—before it’s too late. Marines need to get help,
video clip.
and get back in the fight.

93
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TALKING POINTS:

✔✔We learned that to be Weapons Ready,

a Marine needs a clear head, a healthy
heart and body, to have a buddy, and to
be prepared with the best training and
equipment.
✔✔When stress gets to be too much, often we
notice a downward spiral.
✔✔We learned about the actions we should take
as leaders. That’s the RACE model:
- Recognize
- Ask
- Care
- Escort
✔✔Marines take action.
✔✔Tell a personal story about taking action.

94
 ✎

?

? Slide 38 | Being a Leader

SCRIPT:
• We have learned what it means to be a Weapons Ready
Marine, to have a clear head, a healthy heart and body, to
have a buddy, and to be prepared with the best training and
equipment.
• And we have talked about what happens when a Marine has
too much stress bearing down on him, how he gets caught in a
downward spiral.
• And we have learned about actions we have to take as leaders.
• Again, think RACE:
--Recognize signs of distress.
--Ask the question.
--Care. (Be there for your Marines.)
✎
--Escort. (Make sure your Marines get the help they need.)
?


? • As Marines, we take action.

NOTE: This is a good place to add a personal anecdote about a

Marine or Marines taking action. Ideally, this would be a story about
intervening with a Marine in distress, but any story about taking
?

 action will do. If the story is unrelated to distress, end with “We take
action. Why should suicide intervention be any different?”

PERSONAL STORY
Include a personal
story about Marines
taking action. There
is an example of the
type of story you
should tell in the
movie: When Lance
Corporal Decker had
too much to drink
at the bar, Lance
Corporal Williams
asked for his keys.
When Decker got
up and left, Williams
went after him to
drive him home.
That’s an example
of a Marine taking
action.

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TALKING POINTS:

✔✔We wouldn’t leave a Marine on the

battlefield.
✔✔We can’t leave a Marine in distress, whether
he’s on the battlefield or at home.
✔✔This is like any other battle.
✔✔We intend to win.
✔✔Play video.
✔✔Go to it.

96
 ✎

?

? Slide 39 | On the Battlefield and at Home

SCRIPT:
• We are responsible for our Marines, for all Marines. We
wouldn’t leave them injured on a battlefield; we can’t leave
them alone to conquer the enemies within.
✎ • This is like any other battle.
?


• We are in it together…and we intend to win.
✎
?


? Play video.

SCRIPT:
• Go to it.

97