"I will be physically and mentally tough!" -- The Soldier's Creed
It's a powerful statement.
Every morning, thousands of Soldiers are up bright and early conducting physical training. However, building mental toughness is not so clear cut.
The Master Resilience Trainer Course (MRT-C) is a rigorous, 80-hour, 10-day graduate level course which educates Soldiers, Family Readiness Group spouses and Department of the Army civilians on the finer details of what it means and how to be resilient.
Graduates are evaluated, certified and encouraged to develop resilience programs and training initiatives within their organizations. The R2 Performance Center conducts four courses on the installation per fiscal year.
Professional Master Resilience Trainers are charged to assist commands with maintaining the readiness of the force, strengthen professional and personal relationships, optimize human performance and deter high-risk behaviors.
MRTs graduate with a wealth of knowledge and tools to accomplish their mission.
They are capable of providing formal training and also afforded the flexibility to implement training objectives within daily operations to save time while simultaneously meeting mandatory training requirements and indoctrinating cultural change. Thus, they are able to supplement, reinforce, and strengthen commanders' overall strategic training plans for their formations.
Commanders are encouraged at all levels to seek out their highly trained MRTs and empower them to develop strong programs and initiatives that will foster an environment that encourages the growth of mental toughness within the organization to improve morale, communication and productiveness of the organization.
Commands can also elect to integrate the program within their Family Readiness Groups, as well.
The Fort Leonard Wood R2 Performance Center concluded MRT-C Class 003-19 June 28 and graduated 40 highly-motivated MRTs, who are ready and eager to foster cultural change for the betterment of their organization, its Soldiers, their families and Fort Leonard Wood.
"It helped me do some self-reflecting on how I can better communicate with my co-workers and family," recent graduate Sgt. Rebekah Steinfeldt said. "It's already made me more confident and will allow me to be a better teacher and leader. I recommend this training to anyone, and I want to teach it to others."
MRT graduates said they were thankful for the opportunity to attend the course and now have a new perspective going forward with their newly acquired expertise.
"I learned more about how to be a successful leader and mentor, and to ensure my Soldiers can face challenges and complete the mission," said Sgt. 1st Class Dane Krautheim, who graduated from the program. "With high responsibility on our shoulders, we will only be successful through teamwork."
(Editor's note: Parker is the Fort Leonard Wood R2 program manager. Heather Kline contributed to this article.)
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