Master Resilience Trainings Impact in the Army and Common Misconceptions
SGT Faulkner, Matthew
12Y Geospatial Engineer Advanced Leaders Course
Class 001-17 Master Resilience Trainings Impact in the Army and Common Misconceptions
MRT is part of Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, CSF2, program. It is designed to build the resilience and enhance the performance of those who serve by giving them the skills to thrive, not just in the Army life, but also within their personal lives. This is all accomplished while meeting a wide range of operational demands. MRT has often been misunderstood and overlooked as a program in the Army. When implanted properly it provides Soldiers skills that can be applied in a day to day capacity. Resiliency
…show more content…
This is simply not the case, soldiers can be taught to become more resilient. Research provided by Pennsylvania University and CSF2, shows that Master Resilience Training actually increases resilience, regardless of how resilient you are at the start of the skills. One of my favorite misconceptions about MRT is that you only need resilience training if you are expecting bad things to happen. I can see how someone could think that, because we do talk a lot about bouncing back from adversity. It must be explained and shown that it makes dealing with everyday hassles simpler and when used properly improves the overall quality of life. Whether we notice or not MRT skills can be applied to everything from a flat tire, a disagreement with your spouse, or just not waking up on time for work, resilience skills help us out daily. These are just some of the misconceptions circulating around MRT. Now let’s address how the Master Resilience Training impacts us every day. MRT is broken down into fourteen individual skills. These skills can be utilized in conjunction with one another or individually. One of the most important skills for me is Hunt the Good Stuff (HTGS). When using HTGS you look at no less than three impactful events that occurred during your day and reflect on them. Let’s say you argued with your significant other before work.
Training objectives must support the mission profile and meet the commanders desired end state. Prior to the 56TH train up at the National Training Center (NTC) the deployment location changed from Iraq to Afghanistan (case study). Changes to mission essential tasks were not identified prior to NTC, resulting in the BCT training on collective tasks and validated during MRE based on the Iraq mission profile. However, the shift to the Afghanistan mission profile created gaps in training not identified until units arrived at Bagram Air Field (BAF). i.e. the BCT had to establish an MRAP drivers training program at BAF extending the RSOI process. Training gaps were not limited to company level shortfalls as battalion and brigade staffs were not able to anticipate potential threats and capitalize on opportunities. (case study 2)
What is the single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing these goals?
Readiness is important to me because it shows confidence and that I can be an effective leader. Getting ready could be as simple as laying your clothes out the night before work, to preparing something as big as a Presidential debate speech, or a Soldier preparing for an upcoming mission that could be the difference between life or death. Failure is not an option and the only way to achieve your goals is to be prepared. Everyone in life has goals that he or she sets. No matter how big or small that goal may be, there is a drive to complete it. There are many steps that are taken to ensure you will be ready.
There are varieties of definitions in regards with resilience based on different perspectives (Arrington et al., 2000). For instance, from a developmental perspective, resilience can be defined as positive and successful outcomes despite challenging situations (Masten, 2007; Windle, 2010). Resilience can also be defined as recovery to normal functioning from adversity or coping well under currently risk conditions (Masten, 2007; Windle, 2010). However, not every language has the word “resilience”. For example, a phrase, “the ability to cope with adversity” (Ungar et al.,
MRT is part of Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, CSF2, program. It is designed to build the resilience and enhance the performance of those who serve by giving them the skills to thrive, not just in the Army life, but also within their personal lives. This is all accomplished while meeting a wide range of operational demands. MRT has often been misunderstood and overlooked as a program in the Army. When implemented properly, it provides soldiers skills that can be applied in a day to day capacity. Resiliency is a prized commodity within the Army. MRT is a crucial instrument in developing leaders and soldiers in today’s Army.
Even soldiers of war has spoken out about their symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how the media id the truth from them about the effects of war. They describe how if they knew what they know about a soldier's life that they would've thought twice about joining the armed forces. They also described how hard it is to live with PTSD after a war. The everyday things that use to be so simple are now difficult. How memories can pop into their heads at any given minute and bring them back to that time. That time that many soldiers try their hardest to forget. Statistics show that out of a hundred soldiers, forty of them suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Legarreta, 1).
I am also in the National Guard. Being a part of this is a stressor in itself, but when adding college, it becomes even more stressful. Now a days, with our political setting and how other countries are acting, I worry about the future and what could happen. I also have stressors in the National Guard with trying to maintain my physical fitness while in college. I find it very hard to work out some days due to being busy in college and being tired from lack of sleep and so on. I sometimes think that knowing I have to work out for the physical fitness test, almost makes me not want to work out. I feel that if I just wanted to work out to exercise and be healthy in my everyday civilian life, I think I would be more successful. Part of this could be my nerves and worrying over this
In a qualitative research article titled, “Resilience and Knowledge of PTSD Symptoms in Military Spouses. Awareness of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) extends the criteria for a diagnosis increase, additional cases are being disclosed among U.S. military veterans. Since the attack on September 11th on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, more than two million troops have been deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Included in the two million troops, it is roughly calculated that over 800,000 troops have seen the battlefield at least two times if not more throughout the years which they have served time of service. From results of many conflicts being fought by the United
For over 240 years the United States Military has made it their job to serve and protect this Country. In 1775 the Revolutionary War begun, Since then the United States has had over 40 million Troops and has also fought in 134 Wars including Two World Wars and more then a Dozen Revolutionary Battles. Despite the bravery the 48million troops who served more then 38% come back with and Injury or Mental Disorder. The highest diagnosed mental disorder in Soldiers when returning home is PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) a Symptom usually cause by a traumatic event, Such as Death, Explosion and Terrorism. The symptoms are very stressful and can causes serious issues for the Soldier and his/her family.
Fifteen years of continuous combat deployments have strained many of our Soldiers to their breaking point. To ensure the continued readiness of the troops and the welfare of their families, the use of positive psychology and MRT can bridge the gap and prevent many issues from becoming more serious. The tri-signed letter by Gen Odierno in March of 2013, states the United States Army’s ready and resilient campaign will, “…improve the physical, psychological, and emotional health in order to enhance individual performance and increase overall unit readiness.” Dedicated leader involvement specifically from the Command Sergeant Major (CSM), or Sergeant Major (SGM) is the single most critical component in fostering a positive command climate through
variety of training exercises designed to help veterans overcome personal challenges as they integrate back into civilian life (Real Warrior, n.d.). Some of what Strength of a Warrior offers is education about PTSD, a self-check questioner for PTSD, online self-help worksheets, and resources for veterans. The Strength of a Warrior Program is not meant to replace professional health care providers, but provide Soldiers and veterans with education and tools to work in conjunction with mental health providers (Real Warriors, n.d.). Leaders can focus on those Soldiers and continue additional training to ensure the Soldier is prepared for combat experiences. Soldiers and leaders are also given cards, pamphlets, and needed material to help identify
David Yeager and Carol Dweck have written an article, Mindsets That Promote Resilience: When Students Believe That Characteristics Can Be Developed, that differs from most because instead of offering tried and true prescriptions for success in education, all they say is needed is a shift in mentality. So, for students that face challenges in school or with others, all they need to know is that people can learn, develop, and grow abilities and behaviors. They say even without knowing how to do those things, just knowing it is possible to change or improve is all that it takes to overcome obstacles. The summarize several studies that prove their theory. When students believe they are “dumb,” they do not believe they can change that and when that
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was really seen. The disorder took a long time to even have a
When I heard a term called resilience, I have no idea about it and think that it is not related to me. After I had a lecture with a topic resilience. I realize it is necessary and I need to face many adversity in my life. Also, I remember something happened in my past are shown my resilience level. I would like to share the story in my life to show the factors which are indicated in the last part can show resilience level.
According to Sue & Sue (2016), implications of MCT includes enhancing the role of counseling, when