UNCLASS/FOUO Ready – Relevant – Reliable – Responsive Wesley Bickford LTC, G-37, Individual Training Division U.S. Army Reserve Command September 21, 2012

UNCLASS/FOUO

Ready – Relevant – Reliable – Responsive

Wesley BickfordLTC, G-37, Individual Training DivisionU.S. Army Reserve Command

September 21, 2012

1 Twice the Citizen - Army Strong!

COMPREHENSIVESOLDIER & FAMILYFITNESS (CSF2) /

RESILIENCY TRAININGUPDATE



UNCLASS/FOUO

What Is CSF2?What Is CSF2?

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness is the US

Army’s training program designed to improve the

psychological health and resilience of Soldiers,

Families and DA Civilians (“PT for the mind”)

Objective: Soldiers, Families and DA Civilians who:• are better able to cope with adversity• perform better in stressful situations• thrive in life.

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness is not a

treatment program in response to adverse

psychological conditions. It is a prevention program.221 Sep 12 LTC Wesley Bickford / G37 / (910) 570-9118

MissionExecute Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) program IOT increase the physical and psychological health, resilience and enhanced performance of Soldiers, Families and Army Civilians.

VisionA Total Army team of physically healthy and psychologically strong Soldiers, Families and Civilians whose resilience and total fitness enables them to thrive in the military and to meet a wide range of operational demands.

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2)

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2)

UNCLASS/FOUO 321 Sep 12 LTC Wesley Bickford / G37 / (910) 570-9118

Why CSF2?Why CSF2?

GEN Lloyd AustinVCSA11 April 2012

SMA Raymond ChandlerSMA16 April 2012

“This program (CSF2) requires our continualCommand emphasis to truly realize its real potential.”

“I think we need to consider the MRT in line with a Master Gunner. They provide the commander expert advice on a readiness capability.”

GEN Martin DempseyCJCS30 March 2012

“Important that we instill a mindset of resiliency and self-reliance over dependency. We must create a culture of resiliency.”

GEN Raymond OdiernoCSA10 April 2012

“We need to institutionalize resiliency. It is not an additional training task, it is a way of life.”


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chandler_2012.jpg

Resilience

TrainingPost

Adversity/Traumatic

Growth

PTS / PTSD

Anxiety Anger Substance

Abuse Violence Sexual Assault Isolation

Perception of Self Spiritual Growth Relationship

Growth Purpose of Life

Stress Producing

Event

Adverse

Traumatic

Accession

Resilience Level

Performance

Resilience Level

Resilience Training and Post Traumatic Stress & Growth

Resilience Training and Post Traumatic Stress & Growth


The Current ProgramThe Current Program

Global Assessment Tool Comprehensive Resilience Modules

Master Resilience Trainers Institutional Training

Confidential survey – mandatory at least annually for Soldiers

Optional for Family members / DAC’s Measures psychological health and

resilience More than 2.1M GATs completed Currently not tied to CRM’s – but will be

CSF2 website < http://csf.army.mil/ > Additional modules under production Will link to individual GAT results 36 short videos

https://www.sft.army.mil/CSFModules/MyTraining/Default.aspx

Master Resilience Trainers (MRTs) deliver resilience training to Soldiers, Family members and DA Civilians

Nearly 10K trained to date (236 in ACS) CSF2 is working towards 1 MRT x

Company requirement MRT quality control is paramount

Conducting CSF2 Resilience Training at every level (officer, WO and enlisted)

Relooking what to teach at what level


http://csf.army.mil/



Building Strong Relationships•Assertive Communication•Active Constructive Responding/Effective Praise

Building Character Strengths•Identifying Strengths in Self and Others•Using Character Strengths in Challenges•Character Strengths in Leadership

Building Mental Toughness•Activating Events-Thoughts-Consequences Model•Avoid Thinking Traps•Detect Icebergs•Problem Solving•Put It In Perspective•Mental Games•Real Time Resilience

Resilience •Resilience Competencies•Hunt The Good Stuff

1

2

3

4

Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) Modules

Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) Modules


CSF2-Performance and Resilience Enhancement Program (CSF2-PREP)

Building Confidence

ResultGoal Setting

Attention Control Integrating Imagery

Energy ManagementThink in deliberate and effective ways to thrive in the face of adversity.

Bring heightened sensory awareness to what's most relevant and keep it there to concentrate amidst distractions.

Mentally rehearse successful performances so the mind and body are programmed to perform automatically and without hesitation.

Effectively activate and restore energy to thrive under pressure.

CSF2-PREP training results in Soldiers with the mental strength necessary to succeed throughout their entire lives.

Define a dream that’s personally meaningful and develop concrete steps to create a path to success.

Enhanced Performance(The 5th CSF2 Pillar)

Enhanced Performance(The 5th CSF2 Pillar)


CSF2-PREP Site LocationsCSF2-PREP Site Locations

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness – Performance and Resilience Enhanced Program


USAR Posts(No CSF-PREP)

JBMDL

Fort McCoy, WI

Camp Parks, CA

Fort Hunter Liggett, CA

CSF2 PREP at Fort Benning

3 x increase 2.5 x increase 90% reduction

BLUF: Fort Benning attributes CSF2-PREP’s mental strength development programs as increasing Soldier performance

Is Enhanced Performance Training Making a Difference?

Is Enhanced Performance Training Making a Difference?


1 x MRT/Co + Resilience Tng

BLUF: The aggregate resilience / psychological health of Soldiers that received resilience training was most pronounced in 18-24 year olds

Tech Report #3: Effect of Resilience Training In Units

0 x MRT – No Resilience Tng

4 x BCT’s

4 x BCT’s

Is Resilience Training Making a Difference?

Is Resilience Training Making a Difference?


Attribute or Skill

Soldiers 18-24 Years

Soldiers over 24 Years

Friendship X X

Organizational Trust X

Optimism* X X

Adaptability X X

Catastrophic Thinking X X

Positive Coping X X

Social Fitness X

Emotional Fitness X

Character Strengths X

Effect size is 2-6 times greater in younger Soldiers

What Improves with Resilience Training?

What Improves with Resilience Training?


Trained

Untrained

85%

15%

CSF2 Training of a Unit

GAIs in the same Division

22%78%

Suicide GAI: Gesture, Attempt, Ideation

How is CSF2 Doing?How is CSF2 Doing?

BLUF: 78% of GAI’s came from the 15% of Soldiers that did not conduct resilience training


UNCLASS/FOUO DAMO-CSF 14

GAT Correlation to Psychiatric Complaints after Deployment

1-10% 11-20% 21-30% 31-40% 41-50% 51-60% 61-70% 71-80% 81-90% 91-100%0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

22%

20.1%

9.9%

6.9%

5.1%3.9%

3.0% 2.9% 2.4% 2.4%2.3%

Emotional Fitness Percentiles by GAT

% of Soldiers reporting 3-4 symptoms of PTSDvia the PDHA

% of Soldiers by composite GAT percentile that experienced depressive symptoms “more than half the days” or “nearly every day”

13.5%

9.0%

6.9% 5.8%4.9% 4.4% 3.9% 4.1% 4.0% 4.4%

UNCLASS/FOUO DAMO-CSF 15

Average Number of Visits to Primary Care Provider by Emotional Fitness Score(per deployment as reported on the PDHA)

GAT Score and Healthcare Utilization

<2 2-3 3-4 4-50%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

6.64%

4.76%

3.76% 3.72%

Emotional Fitness Scores by GAT (on a scale from 0-5)

“This program is long overdue! Building resilience, strong relationships, effective communication, and capitalizing on one’s strengths, and becoming aware of weaknesses will only result in a more sound, well-grounded, and healthier Soldier. This could only result in less psychological problems and less post-combat trauma and tragedy.” SFC

“I am almost at 22 years in the Army and this has by far been the most life-altering course that I’ve had in my 21 ½ years.” SFC

“MRT gives me the tools required for becoming a better, more effective leader. This is a program that the Army has needed for a long time. Once implemented, this program will make us a stronger military with even stronger families.” SFC

“I believe that if this training was put out seven years ago my relationship with family and Soldiers would have been better.” SSG

“The most valuable take away I received thus far is the re-energized feeling of hope. This class couldn’t have come at a better time for me and my family. I can’t wait to get home and use these tools in my family. It’s like a light bulb has been turned on in my head.” SSG

“It’s changed me and has become something I recognize is necessary to learn. My “bottle it up” attitude needs this, and I’m excited to let the fighting force know what I’ve found to be such a valuable set of skills.” SSG


How is CSF2 Doing?NCO Testimonials

How is CSF2 Doing?NCO Testimonials

• Rename the Program: “Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness” (CSF2?)

• Establish MRT requirement down to company level

• Recommend a name change for the Spiritual Dimension

• Develop a metric to monitor compliance with MRT production and training across the force (SRU?)

• Continue Development of Comprehensive Resilience Modules (CRMs) and Tailor Some for Family Members and the Reserves

• Continue efforts to develop the Physical Dimension


CSA Recent DecisionsCSA Recent Decisions

New EXORD

Development of the MRT Resource Center

Email Communications w/ MRTs

Quarterly Newsletter (1st Release 1 August)

MRT Materials/Curriculum Updates

Spouse MRT Pilot

Tri-Signed SENDS by SECARMY, CSA, SMA

AUSA Roll-Out of CSF2


CSF2 InitiativesCSF2 Initiatives

• Continue reporting on CSF2 evaluation of MRT vs. non-MRT units

• Leverage Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) program evaluation of MRT implementation

• Maintain CSF/WRAIR Research Steering Committee to ensure new evidence-based material in pipeline

– Social Fitness Training for pre-deployment (Dr. Cacioppo)

– Social Fitness Training for post-deployment (WRAIR)

– Mindfulness Training (Dr. Jha)

– CSF-PREP modules for pre- and post-deployment (Dr. Metzler/ WRAIR)

– RESET training for post-deployment (Dr. Shipherd/WRAIR)


Future Directions: ResearchFuture Directions: Research

• Make CSF2 a Commander’s Program– Not a medical or personnel program– Training program that requires command emphasis

• Pick the right NCO’s to be your MRT’s– Not the “best available”– Not a medical NCO program– E5 (by exception), E6, E7 with retainability and time remaining in service– Informal leader– Optimistic / Extrovert– Physically fit

• Empower your MRT(s)– Give them access – provide them your vision, intent and guidance for resilience training– Enable them to apply what they have learned in your unit– Allow the good ones to return to Penn for Level II, III and IV training– Stabilize them for 24 months in your unit (IAW MILPER msg 10-309 dtd 1 Dec 10)

• Inculcate resilience training in your unit– Training can be both formal and informal– Pre / During / Post deployment– Focus on junior leaders / Soldiers – most effective at the platoon size or smaller– Family members and DA civilians


Leadership: Key to ImplementationLeadership: Key to Implementation

There are four ways people tend to respond when others share good news, talk about a positive experience, or describe a success.

Only one of the four styles leads to stronger relationships.

Copyright 2011 by The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.


Active Constructive RespondingActive Constructive Responding

My Command received a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

My daughter got into her 1st choice college.

We had a fantastic dinner last night with friends.

I got a promotion at work.

My first grandchild was born.

I broke 90 on the golf course.



What Do We Mean By Positive Experience?

What Do We Mean By Positive Experience?

Constructive Destructive

Passiv

eA

cti

ve

• Distracted, understated support

• Conversation fizzles out

• Ignoring the event

• Changing the conversation to another topic

• Squashing the event

• Negative focus

• Authentic interest

• Elaborates the experience





Pas

sive

Act

ive

Conversation Killer

Conversation Hijacker

Joy ThiefJoy Multiplier

Conversation Killer

Conversation Hijacker

Joy Thief





Authentic interest, elaborates the

experience; person feels validated and

understood

Squashing the event, brings conversation

to a halt; person feels ashamed,

embarrassed, guilty, or angry

Quiet, understated support; conversation

fizzles out; person feels unimportant,

misunderstood, embarrassed, or

guilty

Ignoring the event; conversation never starts; person feels confused, guilty, or

disappointed

Pass

ive

Activ

e

Four types of responding: There are four ways people tend to respond when others share a positive experience: AC, AD, PC, PD.

ACR: ACR conveys authentic interest, and the responder helps the sharer think more deeply about the positive experience.

Benefits of ACR: ACR leads to stronger relationships, belonging, well-being, and life satisfaction for both parties.

Effective Praise: Name the strategy, process, or behavior that led to the good outcome. It builds motivation, optimism, and winning streaks.

Connection: ACR and Praise build all of the MRT competencies; Connection is a primary target.



Resilience Skill –Active Constructive Response

Resilience Skill –Active Constructive Response

UNCLASS/FOUO

Ready – Relevant – Reliable – Responsive

Wesley BickfordLTC, G-37, Individual Training DivisionU.S. Army Reserve Command

September 21, 2012

26 Twice the Citizen - Army Strong!





Documents

UNCLASS/FOUO Ready – Relevant – Reliable – Responsive Wesley Bickford LTC, G-37, Individual Training Division U.S. Army Reserve Command September 21, 2012