Actively Recruiting
SAFEGUARD: Life Skills Training for Soldiers Arriving at Their First Duty Location
Led by Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences · Updated on 2026-01-13
5000
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Lead Sponsor
D
Defense Health Agency
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Level Up program, a military-specific life skills training designed for Soldiers arriving at their first duty location. The study focuses on reducing suicide-related behaviors and other harmful actions, improving mental health, boosting job performance, and decreasing early separation from military service. It targets Soldiers at a high-risk transition period to build skills that support mental toughness and resilience during their first year of service. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the Level Up program or the ENGAGE training, an existing single session Army bystander intervention. The Level Up program includes a 90-minute live group session during in-processing, access to a mobile app or online platform with interactive exercises on stress management, tactical thinking, and healthy relationships, personalized coaching via messages during the first month, and virtual booster sessions over one year covering practical topics like finances and leadership. ENGAGE training consists of a single 90-minute workshop focused on leadership and confidence in handling confrontations. Throughout the study, Soldiers will complete baseline and follow-up surveys at 1, 3, and 6 months after starting the intervention. Researchers will monitor occurrences of harmful behaviors and suicide-related behaviors for up to 12 months. They will also assess early service separation, job performance, mental health symptoms, emotional well-being, social support, and other psychological factors. The study uses data collected via surveys and app engagement to measure the program's impact on Soldiers' health, readiness, and career success.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Life Skills Training for Soldiers Arriving at Their First Duty Location
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Active duty Soldiers arriving at a military installation located in the South Central U.S. for their first duty location who are attending reception center activities
- Must be 18 years of age or older
You will not qualify if you...
- Soldiers who are not available to attend the in-person training
- Soldiers who are under the age of 18 years old
- Soldiers who do not have a smart phone that supports installation of the mobile app
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants attend a 90-minute live group training session during their in-processing week at their first duty station, receiving either the Level Up program or ENGAGE training.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 month
Participants engage with a mobile app containing interactive self-guided exercises and receive personalized coaching messages from trained staff during the first month of app use.
Ongoing self-guided activities with coaching messages during the first month
Duration - 1 year
Participants take part in virtual booster sessions focused on practical topics like finances, leadership, promotion tips, and personal relationships over the course of one year.
Periodic virtual booster sessions over one year
Duration - Up to 12 months
Participants are monitored for outcomes including suicide-related behaviors, harmful behaviors, mental health, job performance, and military separation for up to 12 months after intervention.
Assessments conducted at multiple time points during follow-up
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Fort Hood Installation Reception Center
Fort Hood, Texas, United States, 76544
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Life Skills Study Team
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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