Evaluating Level Up Life Skills Training to Reduce Suicide and Improve Success for New Soldiers at Their First Duty Location

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 programs impact on Soldiers health, readiness, and career success.

Life Skills Training for Soldiers Arriving at Their First Duty Location