Soldiers in Basic Combat Training bow their heads during one of many prayers during the breakfast. 'You have to train your spiritual fitness just
like you do your physical fitness and just like you do your mental fitness,' said Fort Jackson's Command...

Chaplain (Col.) Paul Lasley of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command has an idea that he knows both a believer and skeptic of faith can agree upon.

"Every individual is superlatively strongest in life and maximally resilient in life when their own personal spiritual and religious faith is integrated and a vibrant part of their life," he said.

As the guest speaker at Fort Jackson's National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 7, he told the crowd full of Army and Navy Service members how this idea translates to military life.

"Soldiers and Families are most ready for any mission when their spiritual and religious faith is vibrated in every part of their life," he said. "Religious support activities in the military is a critical important component of readiness and resilience."

Fort Jackson's Commander Maj. Gen. John "Pete" Johnson said that Lasley's speech resonated with him.

"You have to train your spiritual fitness just like you do your physical fitness and just like you do your mental fitness," he said.

The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., on the first Thursday of February.

During Fort Jackson's version of the breakfast, the men's choir from Daniel Circle Chapel performed.

Prayers were sent out for the nation, Soldiers and military Family members.

"Fort Jackson is all about preparing our Soldiers so that they are able to meet adversity," said Johnson. "We have to put something in their kit bag ... spiritual fitness is absolutely one of

those weapon systems."