Garrison Commander's Corner: Master Resiliency Training now offered at ACS

By Col. Douglas Mulbury (U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii)December 16, 2010

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Master Resiliency Training is being offered at Schofield Barracks, and it is consistent with the Army Community Service's commitment to maintain readiness of Soldiers, family members and Army civilians.

The MRT is part of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program, which focuses on the five dimensions of strength: emotional, social, spiritual, family and physical well-being.

The CSF program builds Soldiers' and family members' core strengths of physical fitness, emotional awareness, social communications, family values and spiritual beliefs.

MRT training aims to increase self-awareness, self-regulation, optimism, mental agility, character strengths and connections through practical, teachable skills.

The training draws on evidence-based research of positive psychology, the practice of which has proven to be effective in various settings, including with military personnel, adults and children.

MRT classes vary. They can include tailored requests for family readiness groups and agencies, and they're offered as regularly scheduled classes in different locations throughout the installation.

Participants in the program learn how to manage their thoughts and emotions, which in turn, enhances their personal and professional relationships. Teachings apply to all aspects of life and relationships. Instruction is designed to equip participants to better manage stressful events from money and relationship problems, to coping with multiple deployments and personal issues.

MRT's key principles teach the role of emotion regulation, self-reliance and strong relationships. MRT also teaches skills, including energy management, problem solving, improved communication, thinking traps, real-time resiliency and "hunting up the good stuff," or making optimism a habit.

Resiliency is a skill that can be learned and developed, and it is extremely versatile. Resiliency means different things to different individuals, and spans from getting through a tough day, to getting through a long deployment. It teaches participants to draw on their strengths, support networks and choices to thrive in the face of adversity.

Whether you were born resilient, or have gained it through life's challenges, anyone can restore or expand resiliency through training and practice. If you're single, married, a parent or a professional looking to improve effectiveness and discover greater purpose, resiliency training might be for you.

I encourage you to sign up for the next community class scheduled 9 a.m.-noon, Jan. 25-27, at the Kalakaua Community Center. For additional information about MRT, to register for a class or to request a class, call ACS at (808) 655-4227.

(Editor's Note: Mulbury is commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii.)