Human Dimension explained at AUSA National Meeting

By Carroll Kim/TRADOC News ServiceOctober 6, 2008

WASHINGTON, (TRADOC News Servic,e October 6, 2008) - 1430 - Introductory remarks were made by Brig. Gen. Pete Palmer of the U.S. Army Capabilities Integration Center. He explained that ARCIC has drafted the human dimension concept program and is in the process of implementation. Human dimension combines a unique mix of moral, ethical, social and cognitive (decision making) areas and will be critical to how Soldiers perform in the current conflict.

14:33 - Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, commanding general of the U.S. Army Accessions Command, introduces himself and explains the role of USAAC in human dimension. USAAC equips the man, not mans the equipment. Human dimension is designed to permeate American society and how the Army prepares people to serve.

Dr. Tom Killion, chief scientist for the Army, explained the role of physiological training and how it works to better prepare the Soldier. The human dimension is based on a holistic view of how humans function in a system; environment, community, socially and politically, among other factors.

14:36 - Maxie McFarland, deputy chef of staff for intelligence, G2, at TRADOC, said human dimension involves the defining characteristics of future operations environment. One of those characteristics is operations and how they function in a cultural context. This demands Soldiers to have cross-cultural competence and linguistics skills. Human dimension will work in symphony with the human terrain systems, which is designed to provide support in deal with local populations and their respective issues.

14:38 - Brig. Gen. Lorlee Sutton, Army psychiatrist, discussed human dimension from the psychological lens. Based on her studies, by focusing on the human dimension, this will prepare Soldiers to psychologically endure the stresses of combat.

14:41 - TRADOC Chaplain, Col. McGriff deals with the human component of the Soldier on its most intimate basis and says that opportunities to deal with the issues that make our Soldiers move and respond, especially when stress levels continue to rise.

14:44 - Question and Answer period begins

Question 1: Do you deal any differently with accessions who required moral waivers'

Freakley said that recruits are fully qualified once they're vetted and are treated the same as their counterparts who did not require moral waivers. Human dimension would help the Army better place and train each Soldier, regardless of recruiting circumstances.

Question 2: What does it fundamentally mean to be a human being' Define this approach

Killion differentiates humans from other creatures by level of complexity and problem solving skills, communications and empathy. These skills are critical in what Soldiers are asked to do. Human dimension allows Soldiers to take advantage of these characteristics and enhance them so they're more effective in challenges and tasks they are given.

Question 3: With all the human dimension training, how do you counter a change in behavior in Soldiers who have returned from combat'

Brig. Gen. Palmer believes that human dimension will be able to assist Soldiers who are more susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Brig. Gen. Sutton says that the eventual plan is to teach families and Soldiers about how to heal and treat mental injuries.

Question 4: What is the status and what are the next steps for Human Terrain Systems'

Mr. McFarland says that the feedback for HTS has been extremely positive and that other commands (in other Combatant Commands) are demanding human terrain teams to be deployed to other parts of the world. The current objective is to include HTS in the core set of competencies.

Question 5: How does human dimension play in with Soldiers with families who are expecting long deployments'

McGriff describes that the human dimension concept has to create room to include the family component. The family at home does well when they're confident that heir Soldier is being cared for.

20:06 - Sutton closes the panel by restating that human dimension is centered around a holistic understanding of how the Army approaches training for the future.