Educating U.S. Army Reserve soldiers on resiliency

Abstract

Resiliency is defined as a set of processes that enable good outcomes in spite of serious threats. It is the ability to persist in the face of challenges and to bounce back from adversity. US Army Reserve soldiers need to be trained on resiliency to provide them with tools to cope with stress and deal with adverse events. PTSD has increased by 40% since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. Resiliency training will be a proactive step to assist in minimizing the occurrence of PTSD. The purpose of this professional project was to present an educational program to US Army Reserve soldiers in Montana. Education includes the definition of PTSD, the risk factors for PTSD and practical hands-on exercises for developing resiliency skills. The project consisted of a 11-question knowledge pre-test regarding PTSD, a 45-minute educational presentation on resiliency and a 5-question post-presentation questionnaire disbursed to the 75 US Army Reserve soldier participants. It occurred at Fort Harrison in Helena, MT. The educational intervention was based on Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model and grounded in principles of adult learning. The results of the project revealed the soldiers strongly agreed that the objectives of resiliency training and education were helpful. The soldiers felt they could take the information presented in the educational project and utilize it in their US Army Reserve life and their civilian careers and family relationships. The U.S. Army exists to protect this country. Our soldiers, family members, and Army civilians have never failed to answer our nation's call during a time of need. The Army needs to recognize they need to do more to prepare the forces for the psychological demands that come with fighting a protracted, decades-long conflict. Resiliency training will do that!