How We Talk: The Red Friday Voice That Stands With Those Who Serve
At Red Friday Talks and SupportOurHeroes.Directory, how we speak matters just as much as what we say.
Our words reflect the communities we serve — veterans, first responders, their families, and the civilians who stand beside them. We don’t use flowery language or vague slogans. We use purpose-driven words that get to the point, show respect, and remind our community that they are not alone.
🪖 Why Tone Matters in Our Mission
Many of the people we serve live with Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs), burnout, or the invisible weight of service. That’s why our tone of voice is designed to sound like someone who gets it — not a marketing department.
We speak like those still in the field:
Clear. Calm. Direct.
We use real-world language, not buzzwords.
We don’t dramatize — we acknowledge, support, and act.
Whether it’s peer support, business networking, or helping someone get back on mission, our tone is part of what earns trust.
🎯 Our Voice Is:
- Direct: We don’t waste words. We say what we mean.
“You’ve carried weight. We’ve got room for it.”
- Grounded in lived experience: We’ve walked the road, so we speak from it.
“Been there. Still standing? Good. Let’s get you steady.”
- Purpose-first: Everything ties back to service and action.
“Still serving. Just changed uniforms.”
- Peer-focused: No hierarchy. No preaching. We talk like a teammate would.
“We handle our own.”
🧰 Sample Language We Use
We pull from the cultures of military, fire, EMS, and law enforcement — blending common service slang with words the public can understand.
- “Got your six” – We’ve got your back
- “Stand to” – Be ready
- “Tapped out” – Mentally or emotionally overwhelmed
- “Burned out, but still burning” – Resilience in the face of fatigue
- “Out of uniform, not out of service” – Identity after duty
These phrases carry weight, not noise. They cut through and connect.
❌ What We Avoid
- Corporate buzzwords like “optimize” or “empower”
- Therapy speak like “inner child” or “emotional regulation”
- Empty motivational clichés
- Overuse of acronyms or insider lingo without context
📢 Who We’re Speaking To
We tailor our language depending on who we’re addressing:
- Veterans and First Responders: Use familiar tone and occasional slang.
- Public Allies: Use plain English, focus on action and impact.
- Businesses: Clear, value-focused, and respectful of their time.
- Media/Press: Factual, mission-aligned, and professional.
📎 Where This Tone Applies
- Emails & campaigns
- Social media posts
- Peer support materials
- Website copy
- Business directory listings
- Training programs and brochures
- Event invites and community calls-to-action
This isn’t just a tone guide. It’s a commitment to speak with the same strength and honesty our community lives by.
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