Contact us

Commitment

We are committed to providing the best education, care, and programming as possible to our veteran community.

Loyalty

Our loyalty to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces is unwavering. If you were loyal and willing to give it all, we are there for you.

Honor

We will act with honor and integrity in all we do. We want you to be proud of us, and we want to be proud of ourselves.

Compassion

We care. You should, too. Sometimes, it’s difficult to remember how, but we will be there to show you how it’s done.

Wingmen, Shipmates, & Battle Buddies, Inc supports and collaborates with other organizations.

We believe that if we all work together, we can reach & support more people.

Organizations We Support

Indy Vet to Vet

Hoosier Veteran Network

Armed Services Arts Project (ASAP)

Art Troop

Services We Provide:

Training & Education

We offer classes in many topics from mental health and suicide awareness to gardening and cooking. We have leaders in many areas of expertise including leaders of leadership development! Ask for information. We plan to host free learning webinars on many topics right on our website in the future, so come back and see what we have available. We want you to have the skills you want to feel like yourself, again. You’ve got this!

Health & Wellness Coaching

Based on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness outlined by SAMHSA, we believe all people have more than just physical & mental health. We provide coaching for all 8 dimensions of health. We have experts in financial wellness on our staff, and coaches who work with folks on spiritual, social, relational, occupational, and environmental wellness, as well.

Support Groups

We provide support group facilitation for veterans, women’s groups, recovery groups, and more. These support groups are available at a number of locations. We also team with our partner organizations to both assist and organize combined support groups when needed.

Expressive Art Wellness

Based on the idea of bringing art to life for peace of mind, we like to show people how to use art expression in a variety of forms as self care. The idea is simple: make stuff, move, sing, write… It can all make us feel better. We just need to find what brings us peace of mind and do it together.

Notary Public Service

We have several travelling notary publics on our staff, currently all in the State of Indiana, who are willing to travel to the homes of disabled veterans or to do local days of notary at American Legions, DAVs, or colleges, etc… As volunteer notaries become available, we will add to this service.

What does “;IGY6” mean?

You may have seen this before from other veteran organizations. That is because this is important to us. At Wingmen, Shipmates, & Battle Buddies, Inc., it is a motto we strive to live by. You won’t find anyone on our staff bullying veterans, like you may find in other organizations due to petty differences or jealousy, because the health and wellbeing of our veterans comes first, and foremost, to us. There is nothing more important to us… nothing. So let me break this code down for you:

; – The semi-colon means survival or survivor. If you were to consider punctuation representing the end, like a period (.) or colon (:), you might equate those death or to concept of suicide. The semi-colon means we lived.

IGY – This is shorthand for “I’ve Got Your” or “We’ve Got Your.”

6 – In triage out in the field, we have to come up with a really fast way of telling other medics which part of the body we want them to look at, so we assigned each major part of the body a number. A person’s back is # 6.

;IGY6 – We are surviving/survivors, and we have got your back. To all veterans & military personnel: ;IGY6 !

Get to Know Some of Us:

Pam is a Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Professional Trainer, Support Group and Art Wellness Facilitator, & Professor of Leadership Studies. She is also an avid gardener and food preservationist and loves to visit the Colorado Rocky Mountains and ocean.

Pam Tina

President & CEO/Facilitiator

Gail is our money expert. She will help people create realistic budgets and life-based financial management plans. She understands the value of education, parenting, and honor. She has an amazing, CLEAN sense of humor and can make us laugh until we cry.

Gail Bauman

Chief of Training & Development

Retired from Ivy Tech Community College, Melissa is an expert in military & veteran college affairs and financial aid. She is a Notary Public. She is also well-versed in grief management and parenting. Melissa is an avid baker and can boast being the best sourdough bread artisan in the State of Indiana!

Melissa Dwight

Vice President & CFO

Loretha is our family affairs expert. She is educated in child development and education. She understands the traumas that military youth may experience while living military life. Loretha is a life-long crafter who can teach anyone, young and old, how to make and be beautiful.

Loretha Travenia-Bowden

Chief Operating Officer

Rhonda’s position is predominantly a behind-the-scenes position, yet we see her out getting people the help they need. She guides them to support groups and talks about services out in the community, at church, and at the V.A. Rhonda’s small embroidery business is the best in the Indianapolis area.

Rhonda Nichols

Director of Records Management

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What services do you offer?

  • Training & Education
  • Support Group Facilitation
  • Travelling Notary Public Service
  • Special Topic Certifications
  • Health & Wellness Coaching
  • Special Events for Veterans

How do you track campaign success?

Defining “campaign” defines how we track our successes. For our classes, we have surveys. Research on our support groups varies depending on what is allowed for the type of group and where the group is held. Notary services are bound by law, but at events, we keep track of numbers. For fund-raising, we set a goal amount and compare the results to the goal. As you can see our success will be measure3d in different ways.

What’s your strategy development process?

We are in our second year as a nonprofit organization. We are slowly growing and collaborating with other organizations which work with veterans. We are well on our way to having a presence in all 50 states, with having taught and certifying participants in 37 states and territorites, so far! Our 10-year goal is to find a piece of property to own and build a job training center on the property where we can teach farming, construction trades, leadership, marketing, food services, and more for veterans in transition. We also want to support all veterans in need, as well as those in recovery. ;IGY6! We’ve got your back.

How do we start working together?

We would love for you to become a member of Wingmen, Shipmates, & Battle Buddies, Inc. We currently have an initial $30 membership fee for the first year with a renewal fee of $20 or $30 per year afterward. With your initial membership fee, you will get a numbered membership card and shirt with our logo emblazoned on it. We also take donations in any amount. Contact us at wsbbvets to find out how you can donate or become a member.

Calendar

  • COMING SOON – Mental Health First Aid for Military, Veterans, & their Families – AND – Youth Mental Health First Aid taught to veteran and military families! We can’t wait to further serve you! Special thanks to the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs and NAMI-Indiana for making this possible.
  • ~~~ Mental Wellness is Possible, and we are all in this together! ~~~
  • September 10, Dance Therapy @ Dance Kalidescope, Indianapolis
  • September 10 – Lipstick to Camo, 6 PM, Indy VET Center
  • September 11 – Our Lady of Grace School 9-11 remembrance ceremony
  • September 11 – T iptpon County Family Resource Center Community Resource Meeting
  • September 11 – Run*Walk*Ruck – Indianapolis, IN
  • September 12 – Indy Indians Game!
  • September 13 – Veterans Coffee Club, Anderson – new location – 40 & 8 building (address soon)
  • September 13 – Hoosier Heroes Appreciation Weekend, 9 AM-6 PM, 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN
  • September 14 – September 21 – Howard County All Veterans Reunion (formerly Vietnam Vets Reunion) – Greenwood/Kokomo, IN
  • September 15 – Youth Mental Health First Aid – Zionsville Library – 10:30-7
  • September 16 – 8AM – Encore 50+ Lifestyle EXPO – Tipton, IN
  • September 16 – Veteran Support Council – Fort Harrison Veteran Center, Indy
  • September 16 – Support group @ Pinnacle Apts w/Indy Vet to Vet
  • September 17 – Youth Mental Health First Aid – Whitestown Library – 8:30-5
  • September 17 – Music Therapy Sing-a-Long – Fort Harrison YMCA, Indianapolis
  • September 19 – MHFA Instructor MidWest Summit @ Columbus Zoo – Columbus, OH
  • September 20 – Veterans Social & Kayaking Event @ Geist Park w/ Indy Vet-to-Vet, 2-6 PM, 10979 Florida Rd, Fortville, IN
  • September 21 – Indy Eleven Soccer Game!
  • September 22 – WW II Roundtable, 5:30-7 PM, 2100 E 71st St, Indianapolis – dinner and presentation, please RSVP at knj1002@myninestar.net if you will attend. Dinner is $11 cash
  • September 23 – Support group @ Pinnacle Apts w/Indy Vet to Vet
  • September 23 – Women’s Bus trip to Shipshewanna, 6 am – 8 pm
  • September 24 – Youth Mental Health First Aid – 10:30-7 Whitestown Library
  • September 24 – Dance Therapy @ Dance Kalidescope, Indy
  • September 25th – Youth Mental Health First Aid – 8:30-5, Zionsville Library
  • September 25 – Coffee Chat with veterans at Fort Harrison Veteran Center, Indianapolis
  • September 27 & 28 – Booth at Atlanta New Earth Festival in Safety Section! Come see us
  • September 27 – Indy Eleven soccer Game!
  • September 29 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the New Super Armory!
  • September 29 – NAMI MHRRG Grant Writing Workshop
  • September 29 – Veterans Run in Bloomington
  • September 30 – Support group @ Pinnacle Apts w/Indy Vet to Vet
  • September 30 & October 1 – Online 11-4:30 eastern time – Mental Health First Aid certification course with Coach Pam as the instructor. You must pre-register for this course and pay for the required seats (only $35). register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-mental-health-first-aid-certification-course-2-half-days-registration-1584065314999?aff=oddtdtcreator
  • October 2 – Veteran Coffee Chat @ Fort Harrison Veteran Center, Indianapolis
  • October 3, 4, & 5 – Irreverant Warriors (IW) Women’s Retreat, Sheridan, IN
  • October 4 – Coffee Hour @ Remnant Coffee Shop – Arcadia, IN
  • October 4 – Warriors Bungee Party – Noblesville, IN
  • October 6, 7, & 8 – International WRAP Symposium! Coach Pam is speaking on military culture & transition.
  • October 9-10 – NAMI State Conference
  • October 11 – Veterans Coffee Club, Anderson – 630 Nichol Ave, Anderson, IN
  • October 14 – Agape Horse Farm Visit
  • October 14th – Positive Intelligence Meeting
  • October 14th – Indy Vet-to-Vet Group – Pinnacle Apartments
  • October 16-20 – World Food Championships
  • October 18-19 – Battle of the Branches at the World Food Championship – Each Branch of the military will fight for Food Domination: Last year the Marine Corp won! Who, in 2025?
  • October 18 – Indy Fuel Hockey Game!
  • October 18 – Indy Vet-to-Vet Kayaking/Fishing/Social event @ Geist Park, Fortville, IN
  • October 21 – Veteran Support Council @ Fort Harrison Veteran Center, Indy
  • October 21 – Indy Vet-to-Vet Group @ Pinnacle Apartments, Indy
  • October 22 – Dance Therapy @ Dance Kalidoscope, Indy
  • October 27 – WW II Roundtable, 5:30-7 PM, 2100 E 71st St, Indianapolis – dinner and presentation, please RSVP at knj1002@myninestar.net if you will attend. Dinner is $11 cash
  • October 28 – Indy Vet-to-Vet group @ Pinnacle Apartments Ballroom, Indy
  • October 29 – Dance Therapy @ Dance Kalidoscope, Indy
  • October 30 – Veteran Coffee @ Fort Harrison Veteran Center, Indy
  • November 1 – Coffee Hour @ Remnant Coffee Shop – Atlanta, IN
  • November 3-4 – IYI Kids Count Conference
  • November 4 – Indy Vet-to-Vet Karaoke Night @ Pinnacle Apartments Ballroom, Indy
  • November 6 – Veteran Coffee @ Fort Harrison Veteran Center, Indy
  • November 8 – Veteran Art Day @ INdy Art Center!
  • November 8 – Placing flags on veteran graves for Veterans Day, Fairview Cemetery, Tipton IN 9-noon, all are welcome to participate
  • November 8 – Veterans Coffee Club, Anderson – 630 Nichol Ave, Anderson, IN
  • November 8 – Irreverent Warriors event
  • November 15 – Fairview Cemetery – Remove flags from graves, clean areas, all welcome
  • November 17 & 18 – Youth Mental Health First Aid certification course – this session taught to military & veteran families ONLY!! – This class will be online from 11-3:30 on both days. Pre-registration and pre-work are required. Contact wsbbvets@outlook.com to register.
  • November 24 – WW II Roundtable, 5:30-7 PM, 2100 E 71st St, Indianapolis – dinner and presentation, please RSVP at knj1002@myninestar.net if you will attend. Dinner is $11 cash

wsbbvets@outlook.com

Please contact us to find out more about our programs, to donate, or to become a member of Wingmen, Shipmates, & Battle Buddies, Inc.

~~ www.wsbbvets.org ~~ (317) 922-8022 ~~

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization in the United States of America. Your donation may be fully deductible. Please ask for a receipt when you donate to our organization.