%3AHero?ts=1794253128296&dpr=off "Iggy surprise and delight award")
For Antonio “Iggy” Ignacio, checking in on a friend is a simple act. But he knows firsthand that sometimes, the timing can be everything. A production supervisor at Lithionics and a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Ignacio has long made a habit of reaching out to classmates simply to see how they are doing.
His friend and fellow classmate Kevin “Mogo” Mogavero noticed. “If you could do this for a living, would you do it?” Mogavero asked him. Ignacio answered, “Yeah, and it doesn’t matter because I’ll do it anyway.”
What came naturally to Ignacio became something bigger. Together, he and Mogavero started the Bravo Charlie Initiative, an effort focused on proactively checking in on fellow veterans and helping them stay connected. The Winnebago Industries Foundation recognized Ignacio’s efforts with a surprise and delight grant to help further this important work.
A life of service and leadership
Ignacio was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was six years old, settling in Long Beach, California. After graduating from West Point, the Army commissioned him as a second lieutenant in the infantry. He served with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
He eventually wrote The Point and the Lesson, a book based on leadership lessons from his father and two of his mentors, Vietnam veterans Major Mike Carpenter and First Sergeant John Byram. He also co-authored Maverick Leadership, which brings together perspectives on leadership from roughly 20 leaders across industry and the military.
Ignacio has carried those lessons in leadership into both his work at Lithionics and the Bravo Charlie Initiative. He also credits the leaders at Lithionics with creating an environment where he feels empowered to lead and supported when he needs help.
Staying connected
Ignacio estimates he has lost roughly 10 West Point classmates to suicide, in addition to other soldiers and service members connected to people he knows.
“The impact of my classmates losing their lives to this invisible enemy really played a factor in wanting to start this organization,” he said. “It’s not just about veterans in distress. It’s also about helping others to live the best life that they can. There’s no feeling like putting on a happy front and smiling in front of your wife and children and everyone else, but inside, you’re struggling.”
From his own experience, Ignacio knows the hardship of transitioning from military to civilian life.
“When a veteran transitions, they face several challenges,” he explained. “One of those is, reconnecting with the people that you love. How do you explain what it’s like to jump out of a plane or to shoot tanks or what we call ‘the suck’ — those hard and unpleasant situations? That time that you’re apart from family and friends, it creates a gap.”
Bridging that gap is behind the purpose of the Bravo Charlie Initiative. Its name comes from the military phonetic alphabet, with “Bravo Charlie,” or B.C., standing for “buddy check.” Veterans call, text or connect virtually to simply ask how someone is doing.
The buddy check is only one part of the Bravo Charlie Initiative. Voices of ’99 gives classmates a place to share their stories, while a newsletter covers topics important to their community. The group is also developing a website to help classmates stay connected and hopes to eventually create a “go team” that could respond in person when someone needs support.
Today, it has grown beyond Ignacio and Mogavero to include an advisory committee and other classmates.
When the timing is perfect
Ignacio has seen what can happen when that network responds. When he learned a former classmate in Texas was in distress, Ignacio began calling people to find someone nearby who could meet him. Two classmates Ignacio hadn't spoken with in 20 years responded.
“Those two classmates drove over an hour each to meet up with that classmate in the chapel,” Ignacio said. “And he’s still around.”
Another buddy check showed Ignacio just how important proactive outreach can be.
“I texted a classmate and I said, ‘Hey, buddy check.’ And the classmate responded with, ‘Iggy, your timing is perfect,’” he recalled. “Immediately something in my heart was telling me that was an awkward response. And so I said, ‘Hey, are you okay? Give me a call.’”
Within three minutes, his friend called and shared he was struggling.
Experiences like these reinforce why checking in matters, why it’s never a bad time to check on someone and why mental health struggles do not reflect a lack of strength.
Asking for help
Bravo Charlie is supported in part by the Humility Quest, which was founded by Mogavero. He has taken on physical adventures, like a 300-mile Australian ride and a one-mile underwater rock run, while asking others for help along the way.
The surprise and delight grant will support both of their efforts.
“We were very honored that the Winnebago Industries Foundation and its leaders took the time to recognize our efforts and then empower us and give us resources to help in this fight and help save people’s lives,” he said.
Remember the living
As we honor Veterans Day, Ignacio thinks about those who are no longer here and the families who continue to carry their loss. But his thoughts also turn to those who are still here. “The other part of Veterans Day is to remember the living,” Ignacio said. “To remember the ones who are here now, that matter now, that we need to help reconnect.” It is the same idea behind the buddy checks Ignacio continues to make. “We need to remember we’re not alone. We’re not made to be alone.”