SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C.—In the early morning, squirrels and stray cats tease fenced-in shelter dogs by running by the fence perimeter. Looking past their confined space, the dogs see friendly faces emerge from inside with piles of dog food and toys tucked under their arms.
Ask. Care. Escort. These are the instructions military members are given when they suspect someone has suicidal ideations. The military stresses the importance of the wingman concept and being there for each other.
I did not realize how pertinent those concepts would be in my life when I initially heard them at my first duty station.
As a new Airman in 2015, I had to utilize the ACE concept when a fellow Airman, a friend I was so close with that we referred to each other as siblings, started showing warning signs.
My best friend started texting me one night while I was on a date, but the way he worded his messages was alarming. He did not sound like his usual self and it signaled some red flags for me.
After asking him...
