230th Resiliency Campus helps Soldiers sustain the fight

By Cpl. Christopher A. Calvert, Third Army/ARCENT Public AffairsAugust 18, 2011

230th Resiliency Campus helps Soldiers sustain the fight
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait " Staff Sgt. Angela Dotson, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, chaplain section, and a Mapleton, Ore. native, picks up a variety of complimentary supplies and candy at the 230th Resiliency Campus here Aug. 16. Through establishment... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
230th Resiliency Campus helps Soldiers sustain the fight
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait " Staff Sgt. Shannon Biggs, 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tenn. Army National Guard, noncommissioned officer in charge of the campus and a Cornersville, Tenn. native., selects DVD's to watch at the 230th Resiliency Campus here Aug.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
230th Resiliency Campus helps Soldiers sustain the fight
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait " Pfc. Adam White, 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tenn. Army National Guard and a Memphis, Tenn. native, takes a moment to relax in a massage chair at the 230th Resiliency Campus here Aug. 16. Through establishments such as the 230th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

By Cpl. Christopher A. Calvert

Third Army/ARCENT Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait " Servicemembers often experience stress while deployed. Whether it's troops on the front lines, or the unsung heroes who provide the warfighter with vital support needed; the 230th Resiliency Campus here is prepared to help Soldiers sustain the fight.

The campus was established in Nov. 2010 to strengthen the spiritual, physical, emotional and family needs of Third Army servicemembers. It's been operated by the 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard out of Chattanooga, Tenn., since February.

"This campus provides a quiet place which helps Soldiers build resiliency," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Biggs, 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tenn. Army National Guard, noncommissioned officer in charge of the campus and a Cornersville, Tenn. native. "Troops can come here and receive a variety of services which help them stay both physically and mentally strong."

While visiting the establishment, servicemembers can receive support and counseling from chaplains on site, record themselves reading books to send to their children, attend mentoring programs where senior leadership share their life challenges and experiences, as well as check out books and DVD's at any time, Biggs stated.

"When we took charge of this place in February, we had roughly 1,500 servicemembers a month come through here," added Biggs. "Now we're up to 2,700 a month, and the number keeps growing as we reach our first anniversary. Troops are coming here, enjoying themselves, then spreading the word about what we have to offer while consistently coming back; oftentimes on a daily basis."

Pvt. Adonis Rosales, a motor transport operator with the 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tenn. Army National Guard, and a Pittsburg, Kan. native, said the campus helps him take a break from everyday deployment stressors.

"I come here almost every day to relax," noted Rosales. "The quiet atmosphere is peaceful. I love to sit down, watch television or read a book, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of deployment life."

Third Army's commitment to the well-being of its troops remains a priority. Through establishments such as the 230th Resiliency Campus, Third Army is helping servicemembers, the strength of our nation, to sustain the fight and shape the future of the Middle East.

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