New Directive Requires Leaders to Contact Every Soldier Daily Through Jan. 15

Army leaders across the force are required to personally connect with troops daily until Jan. 15 as part of a new directive announced this week by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll that focuses on enhancing soldiers' mental health during the holiday season.

Driscoll stressed that the Army's "just pick up so we can provide help" initiative requires officers or noncommissioned officers to contact each soldier daily by phone, text, or in person. He stated that the initiative aims to connect with service members who might be cut off, stationed away, or separated from their loved ones during a time that traditionally experiences an increase in anxiety and solitude.

“An officer or NCO will intentionally check in on each soldier every day to assess if they require assistance,” Driscoll stated in a letter to the service. “Simply grab your phone or car keys—reach out with a call, send a text, or drop by to see your friend—and bring them along as well.”

Driscoll emphasized the importance of making it normal for service members to seek support. “Reaching out for support is a sign of strength—it requires bravery, belief, and confidence that your loved ones and community will embrace you and provide assistance,” he wrote. “Our goal is to support you, lighten your burden, and help you progress once more.”

The Pentagon is issuing the directive amid ongoing efforts to monitor rising suicide rates within the military. The Defense Suicide Prevention Office has indicated that there have been 61 Army suicides. The number of suicides reported as of June is approaching the total of 134 for the entire year of 2024. By mid-2025, there were 153 recorded suicides across all branches, which is approximately half of the 302 service members who took their lives in 2024.

“Troops are not receiving the support they require,” Driscoll stated. “Signing those letters of condolence—and realizing we had the power to make a difference—is truly disheartening. I hope we never have to compose another one again.

Congress aimed to enhance private access to mental health resources through the 2021 Brandon Act, enabling service members to seek care and attend appointments during their duty hours. The legislation honors Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, who tragically took his own life in 2018 after facing challenges in accessing support. However, in May, Caserta’s parents informed Task & Purpose that numerous service members and leaders still lack a complete understanding of the process established by the law.

Driscoll concluded his letter by sharing a personal anecdote from Ranger School, highlighting how his comrades supported him during a challenging winter phase. “I lost my footing and went down, unable to rise, and the chill overwhelmed me,” he wrote. “However, my Ranger friends came to my aid and assisted me in getting back on my feet.” It dawned on me that solitude is not a viable path; we all reach our limits at some point, and our connections with one another are essential.

The Army has yet to provide further instructions on how units should record or conduct daily check-ins, but officials have indicated that the initiative begins immediately.