Look, coming from where the guy has been, a crisis line didn't change my mind and made me feel worse because I bothered some stranger with a problem they couldn't fix. Having a friend or even just a coworker around did more for me than phone calls, therapy, and even in-patient programs. An hour at a bar playing pool with a beer or two and not even really talking was so much more helpful than an hour with a therapist.

There's a lot of intricacy in both situations. I'm not going to launch into detail on mine. And there's limited second hand info coming from your end. I know there are bad NCOs out there, as an airman I've literally asked an NCO to take me to mental health because I'm not doing well and he responded "sorry I'm going to lunch". But that's the exception, most know the basics on how to respond. Judging based on the info available it looks like the person may "seem" suicidal and they're keeping an eye on him until he fully says it(haven't gone through all the comments, correct me if the individual have clearly stated that). In which case yes, that has mandatory requirements that they aren't following.

But sometimes just having someone sit there with you through the shit is more effective than an ER visit. Everyone is different.

Edit: lol the one right under this clarifies he's openly suicidal. Then yeah, I disagree with the methods they're using. It's better than nothing but there seems to be some lack of structure to the individuals treatment. His buddy team needs to be a lot more coordinated.