Life skills training for Soldiers at their first duty station
SAFEGUARD: Life Skills Training for Soldiers Arriving at Their First Duty Location
This project tests whether a mobile-delivered, military-tailored life skills program called Level Up can help Soldiers arriving at their first duty station reduce suicidal and other harmful behaviors and improve mental health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 5000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Fort Hood, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07286955 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Newly arriving active duty Soldiers at their first duty assignment are randomized to receive either the Level Up program or a single-session Army bystander intervention (ENGAGE). Level Up is delivered via an online platform and mobile app, includes personalized messages from a trainer and virtual booster sessions, and teaches strengths-based coping and life skills. Participants complete baseline surveys and follow-up surveys at 1, 3, and 6 months to measure suicidal-related behaviors, other harmful behaviors, mental health, job performance, and separation outcomes. The project is conducted at the Fort Hood installation reception center and targets the high-risk transition into first military duty.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Active duty Soldiers who are 18 or older, arriving for their first duty assignment at a South Central U.S. installation reception center (Fort Hood) and who can attend in-person reception activities and use a smartphone are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Soldiers who cannot attend the in-person training, are under 18, lack a compatible smartphone, or are not at their first duty station may not receive benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Level Up could lower suicidal-related behaviors, reduce early separations, and improve mental health and job performance among new Soldiers.
How similar studies have performed: Strengths-based life-skills programs and digital mental health interventions have shown promise in military and civilian populations, but delivering a tailored mobile life-skills program at the first duty station is a relatively novel application.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Exclusion Criteria: * 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
Where this trial is running
Fort Hood, Texas
- Fort Hood Installation Reception Center — Fort Hood, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Thomas H Nassif, PhD — Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Life Skills Study Team
- Email: life-skills-study-ggg@usuhs.edu
- Phone: 301-295-9711
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.