Pegasus brigade single Soldiers' retreat builds resiliency

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Leaders throughout the Army are constantly training their troops to be a more mentally and physically resilient force. Whether it is through enduring the rigors of physical fitness training or simply waiting their turn to qualify at the range, American Soldiers are always training to be ready for the next fight.

While the individual may not know when that next fight will be, the challenges of daily life do not stop. As champions for their overall spiritual and mental resiliency, Army chaplains provide soldiers with unique resources in this area.

Chaplains with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Unit Ministry Team showcased some of these resources by hosting a single soldiers retreat entitled "Dare to be Different" at Camp Rockfish, N.C., Sept. 26-27.

"Resiliency is more than physical readiness-it is the whole person that we are focused on," said 82nd CAB Chaplain Maj. Ron Webb.

For two days, unmarried All American aviators participated in various activities and classroom sessions that taught them about personality types and helped them develop life skills by learning to set priorities and goals.

"We want our troops to know that we care about their well being and we are here for them," Webb said. "We hope the training here will give them the tools to deal with everyday life, not just in their units and Army, but throughout their lives."

Capt. Loren Sink, chaplain for 2-82 Aviation Assault Battalion, started the day with the first classroom session titled, "Who am I?" He incorporated the 3-Minute 'Make a Difference' Survey from Real Life Management, Inc., that helps people understand their "attitude wiring."

"Real Life Management teaches that by the age 6, most of us have developed attitudes about many key areas of life but most especially regarding relationships, finances and health," Sink said. "By age 6, most of us have developed an azimuth or attitude for life that will play out in the way we approach those significant areas and will eventually determine our destiny in life. Interestingly, those vital areas of life are also interconnected."

Spc. Zackary Long, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, one of more than 30 troopers who attended the retreat, said he truly enjoyed the event and was impressed by the personality survey.

"The personality survey is something that I can use when dealing with other people." Long said. "I feel like it will help me better communicate with others and it's something that I can take with me throughout my life."

Other subjects covered during the training session were also geared toward building communication and decision making skills. The chaplains helped the Soldiers tackle such questions as, "Why am I here, where am I going, and what is most important for me?"

Capt. LeyAnne Ward, chaplain for the 122nd ASB, led a class entitled, "Why are we here?" She said that the purpose of the classes is to equip the Soldiers with insight that will help them as they face different obstacles in their lives.

"I based a lot of points and principles using the book, The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren," Ward said. "I used four main talking points to give the Soldiers something to reflect upon as they make various choices throughout their lives."

The four points Ward outlined were, 'love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as yourself, you are created to become more like Christ and you were shaped for serving God.'

"The first two points emphasize love for something other than yourself and following the 'Golden Rule,' to treat others as you would want to be treated," Ward said. "The last two points emphasized service to others and looking out for the each other, as well as seeking wise council when making hard decisions."

Such messages resonated for Pfc. Christian Balone, 18, who was the youngest participant in the retreat.

"I liked the spiritual classes. Spirituality is one of the most important things to me and my family," Balone said.

Troopers also participated in various confidence and team building activities that pushed them to step outside their comfort zone and work together to accomplish tasks.

"I learned a lot this weekend," Balone said. "The confidence courses were a lot of fun and I think they help us to overcome our fears."

The younger troops were not the only ones who found the courses challenging and exciting. Seven-year veteran Sgt. Phillip Yopp, of 3-82 General Support Aviation Battalion, was the senior-ranking single Soldier at the retreat.

"I loved some of the team building activities like the balance platform," Yopp said. "We had to balance the platform without letting it touch the ground as we all attempted to stand on it at once."

While this was Yopp's first experience at a chaplain's retreat, he hopes his Soldiers will take such opportunities earlier in their careers.

"I will absolutely recommend this for my troopers," Yopp said. "I know they could learn a lot about themselves and their team through this type of event."

For Capt. Paul Camiring, the chaplain for 3-82 GSAB, such self reflection and exploration go a long way toward building stronger, more resilient Soldiers.

"I wanted to challenge them to make a difference in their lives and not be swayed by outside influences that might cause them to make poor decisions," Camiring said. "That is why we chose the title, 'Dare to be Different.' We wanted to challenge them to reconsider faith and the wholeness of integrity of oneself attached to that faith - to simply live the values that we as chaplains promote."