Pamphlet

Battle Buddies
What is it?
A program developed by Maj. Gen. (ret) Rita Aragon, State
Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs and endorsed by
Justin Jones of the Oklahoma Department of Correction -to
assist inmates that are being released or will be on either parole
or probation, transition back to the “real world”. The program
is designed to provide a Veteran that will help every Veteran
inmate returning to their area in the following ways:
1. Offer you the support of friendship and membership in your local organization
2. Help you find a job but we will not be your taxi service
3. Help you file and receive your rightful VA benefits (most of them are registered with VA as they depart the prison system)
4. Check on you regularly to make sure you are aware that we want them to succeed outside the walls.
5. We will help you file claims for disability.

How was it started?
The program was initiated by Maj. Gen. (ret) Rita Aragon, State Secretary of Veteran and Military Affairs. Maj. Gen. Aragon had two primary programs she wanted to initiate, Homeless Veterans and incarcerate veterans. The big question was “what type of program and how to start it”.
Maj. Gen. (ret) Aragon started talking about developing a
program to help incarcerated veterans transition from the
system they are in to the “outside world” and hence . . .







Maj. Gen. (ret) Rita Aragon
State Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs

Major General Rita Aragon is the first female Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs. She is the liaison to the Governor for all Oklahoma military and veterans’ issues. She participates and facilitates the Oklahoma Military Strategic Planning Group that helps insure the stability and growth of the communities and facilities of the five military installations in Oklahoma. Major General Aragon is tasked to develop programs that support current military and veterans individually and in total.
Major General Aragon served as the first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, the first female to command a state’s Air National Guard and the first female of Native American Ancestry to become a general officer.

Major Awards and Decorations:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 device

Other Achievements:
Woman of the Year for Government (Edmond, OK)
Oklahoma Woman Veteran of the Year
Oklahoma City Principal of the Year





Who are Battle Buddies?

We are veterans who want to help veterans . . . period.

We come from a variety of backgrounds and we are JUST
veterans who believe in helping veterans.
Some of us are former residents of the Oklahoma Department of
Correction, some have a background in law enforcement, some
have a medical background, some are students and some are
active duty. You see, we come from a variety of backgrounds
but the important thing is, we are Veterans and We Want to
Help Veterans. Never again will one generation of veterans let
down another generation of veterans. Every volunteer is either
a veteran or on active duty and we know that it is easier for a
veteran to talk to another veteran and every volunteer is
committed to helping our veterans.

Why are we involved?
We are involved because we believe in helping Veterans and we believe we all can make a difference in our society.
We know that veterans have the discipline and the knowledge, if used properly, to make a positive impact on society. They can be an example to others through their endurance and determination; the training received in the military helps our veterans to become part of a team and they know the importance of the ‘we attitude’.

More importantly, we believe that our veterans deserve a second chance. Veterans who have been deployed know, more than anyone else, the effects deployment can have. Deployed veterans have witnessed events that most people will never see and will never understand.





What Buddies Will Not Do!
1) Baby-sit a released veteran.
2) Be a “go between” between the veteran and his/her parole/probation officer
3) Give the released veteran money and/or a house over their head.
4) Provide the released veteran with a full time taxi service
5) Carry letters either from or to third parties
6) Communicate with friends and relatives for anyone who is incarcerated.
7) Violate any law for the benefit of an incarcerated person.

What Buddies Will Do!
1. Help in registering with the VA in order to pursue medical benefits.
2. Assist eligible veterans in obtaining other benefits that they are eligible for.
3. Point the released veteran in the right direction to find suitable employment or education through Oklahoma Department of Vet Affairs and/or VA (new alliance is forged with Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Oklahoma Economic Commission, Career Tech, and Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.
4. Be a support to insure the veteran gets physical, mental, emotional, and substance abuse assistance through the VA.
5. Help the released veteran integrate back into the community through veterans organizations, church, and/or community service groups.
6. Insure that the released veteran receives a check list stating what he/she can or cannot do.
7. Communicate with you in matters that relate to the ‘Battle Buddy’ program.
8. Most importantly, we will offer support, we will listen and we will try to help.













Board of Trustees

Maj. Gen. (ret) Rita Aragon
Mrs. Linda Hendrick
Mrs. J. Halford-Pandos
Mr. Dennis ‘Cougar’ Hammons
Mr. Gary Hendrick
Mr. Joe Mendoza
Mr. Danny Oliver
Mr. Ronald Pandos


Special Advisor

Mr. Bob Mann – Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections

















Battle Buddies
P.O. Box 525
Kellyville, OK. 74039

5929 N. May, Ste. 505
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Telephone - (580) 704-7817


A program for incarcerated veterans






























This pamphlet is dedicated to Major General (ret) Rita Aragon,
State Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs
and to
Justin Jones, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for their initiative in developing this program
And
for their perseverance in helping our incarcerated veterans