Army Resilience Directorate: Aug 2022 Articles

‘Prevent 22 in ‘22’: Fort Knox Shares Winning Strategy for Suicide Awareness, Prevention Month

8/31/2022
To increase emphasis on the well-being of the Army Family during Suicide Prevention Month this September, Fort Knox, Kentucky, officials are hosting events aimed at promoting each of the five dimensions of personal readiness. They are encouraging personnel to get involved in a single-elimination adult flag football tournament and Knox’s “Prevent 22 in ‘22” walk/jog/run/bike initiative throughout the month.

Rewriting the Narrative

8/31/2022
September is Suicide Awareness Month, and Sept. 4-10 is Suicide Prevention Week. Lizzy and Julie Zinn graciously shared their story and experiences about death by suicide. The author of this piece, whose life has been affected by death by suicide, thought that their honesty and vulnerability would resonate with our audience, creating an open space for others to connect, helping those in crisis and changing the conversation around death by suicide.

Suicide Prevention Hinges on Sensing, Listening, Trust

8/30/2022
An Army Reserve officer has helped more than 100 Soldiers and Veterans struggling with suicidal thoughts during the past decade by listening and providing the right resources. Capt. Louis Goldstein, plans officer and Headquarters Company commander with the 389th Engineer Battalion, in Dubuque, Iowa, uses the skills he acquired while working as a civilian with the Wounded Warrior Project for seven years, along with Army Reserve suicide prevention training, to get people with suicidal thoughts the help they need.

New DLA Chaplain Looks to Encourage Spirituality, Wellness

8/30/2022
Newly arrived Chaplain (Col.) Thomas Brooks took the reins this summer as the Defense Logistics Agency’s ecclesiastical support program manager and religious support provider. Brooks said he’s also looking to develop a monthly series to help uplift the workforce, promote wellness through spirituality and reduce death by suicide. According to studies, Brooks said, practicing spirituality can help people improve health and happiness, enhance feelings of connection, decrease depression, and lower rates of substance abuse and risk-taking.

Hokanson: Individual Readiness Makes National Guard Always Ready, Always There

8/29/2022
The physical and mental readiness of each Guard member enables the National Guard to keep its promise to America to stand Always Ready, Always There, the component’s most senior general officer said. “Your health and resilience – both physical and mental – is vital to readiness,” the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, told Guard leaders in remarks that also provided a road map for the way ahead. “It’s not just about the miles you run or the ways you manage stress, although both are very important.”

Hope & Healing: Understanding the Impacts of Trauma on the Road to Recovery

8/26/2022
Trauma affects the brain, body and mind in ways people may not understand. The effects can include self-isolating, finding it hard to bond with people—even a spouse or kids—being constantly angry, thinking people cannot be trusted or feeling guilt and shame.

Erasing the Stigma: Addiction Is Not a Character Flaw

8/26/2022
There are many misconceptions about addiction and who it affects. However, addiction is not a choice, and it can happen to anyone. Addiction is also a treatable disease and does not define someone.

Cadets Use R2 Skills to Conquer Cadet Summer Training

8/26/2022
Cadet Summer Training helps to prepare the U.S. Army’s future leaders to take on tomorrow’s challenges. It is the largest annual training event in the Army, welcoming 10,000 to 15,000 cadets to Fort Knox, Kentucky, from around the country. This milestone event is often the first Army immersive training that many Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets will experience. Training in marksmanship and first aid, among other things, builds important skills they will need throughout their career.

The Bounce Back–Cultivating Emotional Resilience to Heal After an Injury

8/26/2022
Physical resilience is an essential part of Soldier readiness. Healthy behaviors like getting adequate sleep, eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly provide self-confidence and the ability to overcome challenging life situations. Despite preventive measures, though, there is always a potential risk of physical injury.

Resilience Spotlight: Sgt. James Sowell Keeps a Positive Outlook

08/26/2022
Sgt. James Sowell III is a self-professed “country boy” at heart who has never met a stranger. His friendly, welcoming demeanor makes him a perfect fit as an instructor and Soldier Family Readiness Group coordinator at Fort Hood, Texas. It is his experience as a Master Resilience Trainer, however, that has allowed him to weave together his best qualities and make a remarkable impact during his 14-year career.

Ansbach Soldiers Benefit from HAC Grant

08/22/2022
Installation Management Command ‘Be Strong’ program awarded U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, Germany’s Army Community Service and Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation a grant of $25,000 to design and pursue a program that would support the Healthy Army Communities initiative in the community. Ansbach’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program Director, Danielle Hill, took the lead and developed a plan to provide the most at-risk Soldier population, 18 to 20-year-olds at their first duty station, a Soldier Resilient Start, and encourage them to create lasting habits that help them succeed and learn up front about Army services. The desired result is to improve individual resilience as well as overall unit resilience.

Program Improvement Forum Provides Army 'Perspective on Prevention'

08/22/2022
The Army Resilience Directorate hosted its annual Performance Improvement Forum recently. This year’s theme was “Perspective on Prevention” derived from the Army People Strategy—seeking to create a people-focused culture that destroys harmful behaviors and builds cohesive teams across our formations. The two-day conference allowed Army professionals to learn, share, and enhance prevention strategies.

Mental Health — You Are Not Alone

08/16/2022
According to Dr. David Dodd, Director of Psychological Health for Fort Sill, Oklahoma’s Reynolds Army Health Clinic, quite a bit has changed for Army behavioral health. In the face of more evidence-based care, standardized behavioral health treatments, and increased resources for behavioral health, Soldiers seeking help still face obstacles. The biggest obstacle for Soldiers receiving care, according to Dodd, is the perceived stigma associated with mental health.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD --Army Officials Welcome Ideas on How to Improve Quality of Life

08/16/2022
The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) has evolved with the rest of the Army into the digital age, and it’s never been easier for people to voice their ideas on improving the quality of life of Soldiers, Family members and the post community as a whole. “AFAP is a process where people in the Army or associated with the Army – it could be Family members or retirees – can input suggestions on how to improve quality of life in the Army,” explained Kent Thompson, Army Community Service director.

After Dobbs Decision, DOD Provides Q&A Resource

08/12/2022
Recognizing that the defense community continues to have questions about available services, the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness published a Q&A that includes answers to questions around reproductive health care access — including leave and travel, contraceptives, sexual assault, and other types of related assistance.

People, Readiness Focal Points at National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader Forum

08/12/2022
Senior enlisted National Guard leaders gathered at Little Rock, Arkansas to synchronize Guard initiatives that impact people and readiness. There were multiple points for discussion, training, and implementation. These senior noncommissioned officers collectively strategized ways to improve health and wellness, prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault, and stop death by suicide in the Guard at a time when the military at large is struggling to attract recruits.

Air Force and Army Join Forces Against Sexual Assault

08/10/2022
Representatives from the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing and the U.S. Army organized a joint effort to raise awareness and provide long-term support for survivors of sexual assault in the military. The Department of Defense Men’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Campaign, or “DOD Men’s SAPR Campaign,” focused on male victims of sexual assault. The program trained service members on the nature of trauma and how to help those who have gone through it. Staff Sgt. Devin Flores, a sexual assault survivor, spoke on his experience, the process of trauma recovery and trauma’s effects on the brain.

Presidio of Monterey ACS and BOSS Team Up for Talk on Healthy Boundaries

08/08/2022
Army Community Service (ACS) and Better Opportunities for Single Service (BOSS) demonstrated how they look out for the well-being of service members teaming up for a workshop on how to establish healthy boundaries. Hugo Ambriz Tena, BOSS members advisor and recreation specialist for the Presidio of Monterey, California Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said the presentation was important because many of the installation’s service members are young and away from home for the first time.

DOD Recognizes 'Connect to Protect’ as Top Suicide Prevention Program

08/08/2022
Since 2016, the Department of Defense (DOD) has honored exemplary programs of each Military Department, for their exceptional efforts to increase suicide prevention awareness and community through engagement throughout the month of September- which is Suicide Prevention Month. This year the U.S. Army Garrison White Sands Missile Range, White Sands, New Mexico is the Army recipient of the 2020-2021 DOD Suicide Prevention Recognition.

403rd AFSB Recognizes Soldiers, Civilians at Awards and Promotion Ceremony

08/04/2022
The 403rd Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) feted 11 Powerhouse Brigade teammates during an awards and promotion ceremony at brigade headquarters in Camp Henry, South Korea. The ceremony included the presentation of multiple permanent change of station awards and other special recognitions, along with four promotions. Sgt. 1st Class Maria Spiller, sexual assault response coordinator, Headquarters, 403rd AFSB was awarded the U.S. Army Garrison-Daegu Certificate of Achievement.

Battle Buddy Check Saves a Life

08/03/2022
Something as simple as checking on a teammate could save their life and this is what happened when a Soldier with the 75th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill, Okla. put people first. After duty hours, Pfc. Jason Hernandez decided to check in on his friend and teammate. When he found him, he realized the Soldier was in the middle of a life-threatening mental health crisis. He immediately acted by notifying the chain of command and transporting the Soldier to a local hospital.

Stories of Hope

08/02/2022
The Army continues to focus on suicide prevention by developing a podcast series aimed to increase understanding of the factors that lead to suicide and the importance of seeking help. Stories of Hope podcast has been created to inform key audiences on the Army’s efforts to address suicides. The Army has seen an increase in suicides in the past few years, and this podcast is one of the strategies to raise awareness and prevention efforts.

Army Inspector General visits Alaska for New Soldier Experience

08/01/2022
Department of the Army Inspector General personnel began a week-long site visit to Fort Wainwright, Alaska in support of the New Soldier Experience (NSE) inspection. The NSE inspection directly ties to building cohesive teams and creating a positive command climate from the moment a new Soldier enlists into the Army by examining every aspect of entering Army service. It examines reception, quality of life initiatives, the training experience, and why some want to leave the Army before the completion of their first enlistment.

DIRECTORATE OF PREVENTION, RESILIENCE AND READINESS

August 2022 Articles