Positive Psychology: United States Army Training

Psychological support for troops has emerged as a necessity because this kind of work can deal, to a considerable extent, with a set of specific psychological problems arising within disciplinary systems at all levels, not the lower echelons alone, as is often believed. Occasionally it is just the matter of an enlistee being unprepared for discipline-abiding lifestyle (ignorance of army regulations, orders and regulatory documents). Sometimes, however, psychological problems stem from clearly expressed anti-disciplinary attitudes in some or other serviceman, which attitudes tend to disorganize military activities, mixing, and off-duty routine.

Kaplow, J. B., Layne, C. M., Saltzman, W. R., Cozza, S. J., & Pynoos, R. S. (2013). Using Multidimensional Grief Theory to Explore the Effects of Deployment, Reintegration, and Death on Military Youth and Families. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev, 16(3), 322-340. doi:10.1007/s10567-013-0143-1

The next slide that he presented layed out all the issues that are commonly associated with the joining the military. Mckinnely uses negative words such as “Inconsistency, PTSD, Emotional, Children, Violence, Problems, Detachment” to really deliver the message to his audience that the military lifestyle has serious implications on themselves and their loves ones. Mckinnely’s intended purpose for doing this for his audience to be aware of the tough obstacles of military life and for them to rethink their decision to join the

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.

War has tremendous effects on the human mind and impacts all parties involved. Remnants of war can dramatically affect relationships with loved ones and create greater problems ranging from financial problems to psychological damage that has more profound effects on the family infrastructure and its operation. The notion of war produces pressures and strains on the family that is not experienced everyday in the routine family life. Family member who experience PTSD from their service in the military also places unforeseen weights and consequences for the family to carry. There are specific effects distinct to a parent, a spouse, and children when a loved one is serving their country. The relationships between a service men and these family members are transformed with the absence and their reintegration.

The United States Army’s master resilience training is used to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity. Build core competencies that enable mental toughness, optimal performance, strong leadership, and goal achievement (Reivich & CSF2, Master Resilience Training Version 3.1 Participant Guide, p. 7). The Master Resilience Training (MRT) course is a 10 day course split into two sections. In section one the students go through all 14 modules as if learning MRT for the first time. Once the students have an understanding of what the topics are and how they apply the students move on to the Train the Trainer phase. In this phase the students are split into small groups and will go over all 14 modules again but

A service member’s emotional and psychological issues are not like malfunctions of a piece of equipment and must not be treated as a troubleshooting problem in a technical manual. And yet this seems to be the only way the military, as a whole, knows how to address the issue of a service members mental health. It requires a holistic approach that is not currently embraced by the military. Historically, the military has been ill-equipped to handle the shifting nature of the psychological issues created by introducing a service member to the battlefield.

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.

C100 improved our basic skills and knowledge base, in order to succeed at CGSC and at future FORSCOM Units. C100 had three sections: thinking and problem solving; individual development; and communications. C120 helped me to become a more critical and creative thinker. This block enabled me to improve my decision-making and leadership skills by executing three practical exercises. These exercises were, problem solving, a Gaza Strip study, and dissecting the Army Warfighting Challenges. C130 focused on my personal development while at CGSC and the future at operational units. It helped me plan and focus my priorities for the next 10 years by establishing an individual development plan (IDP). C170 enabled me to become a better communicator

As stewards of our profession, commanders ensure that military expertise continues to develop and be passed on to aspiring professionals through operational development. It is during this developmental phase that Professional Soldiers put their knowledge and skills to the test. Operational Army units certify and recertify their Professional Soldiers through repetitive and realistic training events including the Combat Life Saver Course, platoon live fires, and exercises at the National Training Center. In the course of these challenging and realistic experiences, the Army’s operational units develop Soldiers and leaders prepared to maintain high standards, discipline, and operational readiness. Operational development and adaptability will continue to drive changes in Army doctrine, organization, leadership, and education as we enter the post-war era. Without this kind of development, the Army could not maintain a well-disciplined professional fighting force.

Countless situations I’ve encountered as a military spouse have provided me with the opportunity to draw upon the resilience that developed within me so many years ago. Enduring multiple deployments, relocating across three continents, giving birth to my first child in a foreign country only to say goodbye to my husband one month later as he deployed, having to wear both “hats” of mom and dad, moving every few years and having to re-invent my career—these situations have required resilience to withstand. Without the experiences I endured as a child, it’s possible I would not have had the opportunity to cultivate this resiliency that has served me so well throughout my life. Reflecting on the experiences I withstood during my youth has empowered me to adopt a perspective of gratitude for where I am today. The challenges of growing up in poverty and dysfunction have given me a lifetime of inner strength and resiliency along with the confident knowledge that I can overcome any obstacle placed in my way. Thus, I do not dwell on the difficulties and dysfunction of my youth. The first chapter of my life story has not dictated the outcome of the rest of my story; I have refused to allow that to

MILITARY SPOUSES AND THE CHALLENGES OF MILITARY Abstract Army life is unique to say the least. The subculture, with its own language, rules, acronyms and ways, is foreign to the general population. The Global war on Terrorism has brought more awareness and certainly more curiosity about Army life. (Krajeski, 2006, 2008, p. 5).Today, more than ever, the military spouse is a pioneer who travels to strange lands, rears her

Any member of a military force are taken as someone ready to serve at any moment, with all his/her skills, intelligence, strength and presence of mind; much like someone readily set on the starting track, totally geared up to run from the moment 'go'. This explains how much preparation it takes to condition one's body and mind to attain that level of ability and agility. It requires a continuous, disciplined practice of skills as well as lifestyle conducive to retain and augment those skills.

Imagine you are eighteen, just graduated high school. You decide to enlist into the United States Army. It is your first time away from home, your first real job outside of a summer job. This is your first time away from home, everything you grew up to know, your friends and family. This is the case with many newly enlisted Soldiers. The Army is their first real world experience away from home and the feeling can be overwhelming. Not only do they need to figure out how to be a Soldier but also an adult, a functioning member of society. So what do they do? They will rely on the guidance and experience of another, a Mentor.

In other words, the Army’s mission is to deploy when needed and to win in combat in support of the interests of the United States. It conducts training and operations in every part of the world with 520,000 active duty Soldiers in 223 occupational specialties or jobs. The mission seems relatively simple but recruiting Soldiers to fulfill this mission and retaining them is much more difficult than one would realize. I will present a few of the benefits in the Army’s EVP that motivate Soldiers to “be the best they can be” to make America and the world a better place.