Veteran Finds Lifelong Friendship Through Battle Buddy Program

As the nation commemorates Veterans Day 2025, the story of Kris Ferrell and J.R. Moock highlights the profound impact that peer support can have on veterans struggling to reintegrate into civilian life.

Ferrell, who was living in a shelter when he first met Moock through the Battle Buddy program, explains that he needed "long-term friends" and "long-term networking" to successfully transition out of the shelter. The Battle Buddy program, run by the Massachusetts non-profit Frost Call, aims to provide that crucial connection for veterans.

Moock, a U.S. Army veteran who had overcome his own post-service challenges, understood Ferrell's situation and became a steadfast friend and motivator. "He was one of the first friends I made here, and ever since I've known him, he's been on my side," says Ferrell.

Today, Ferrell is in stable housing, studying at UMass-Boston, and considering a career in the music industry - a far cry from his previous circumstances. Moock, who was initially hesitant about the program, now calls it "so simple and yet so profound."

The Battle Buddy program's focus on positive socialization, including gaming events, has proven to be a powerful tool in helping veterans overcome the "reintegration stress and the challenges of adjustment to that post-military life." As Frost Call's founder Wesley Sanders explains, the program's mission is to provide veterans with the camaraderie and support they need to thrive.