U.S. Army Sgt. Shanique Dillon and Sgt. Ja’Kera Richardson, both automated logistical specialists assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, pose for a photo during a community engagement between the Polish people and the Polish military and Dogface Soldiers on Nowogradzceca, Poland, Sept. 23, 2023. 3rd ID’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bernabe Lopez III)

BOLESŁAWIEC, Poland - Task Force Marne senior leaders conducted the first of many bi-monthly meetings concerning protective factors used to assist its Soldiers currently deployed to Poland and the Baltic States.

Soldier readiness is essential for accomplishing the Army’s mission and this capability is improved when Soldiers’ needs are met at their basic levels. The 3rd Infantry Division’s protective factors framework aims to identify and meet these needs for its Soldiers in Europe.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jared Bennett, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear non-commissioned officer with the Florida Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, supporting 3th Infantry Division Artillery, participated in a morale, welfare, and recreation day by paintballing with his peers near Lembuzi, Latvia, Sept. 30, 2023. The recreational event helped to raise unit cohesion and morale by bringing Soldiers together. The 3rd Infantry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Cesar Salazar Jr.)

The protective factors framework was introduced in Fort Stewart, Georgia, and is currently being implemented for Service Members active in Europe. The protective factors framework consists of eight categories affecting Soldiers during their deployment, including personal wellness, spiritual connectedness, healthy outlets, healthy relationships, safe housing communities, food security and financial literacy.

U.S. Army Sgt. Isabel Liddell and Spc. Nestor Pabilona, both assigned to 129th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, pose for a photo with a Polish citizen during the annual Polish community event “Dni Gminy Rzgow” (Days of Rzgów) at Rzgow, Poland, Aug. 26, 2023. These U.S. Soldiers are currently deployed to Poland and providing sustainment support to forward-stationed U.S. and allied forces’ training and operations to bolster NATO’s eastern flank, as part of a mission to assure allies, increase military interoperability, and deter adversaries in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elsi Delgado)

“How do we determine what is the cause of the corollary factors that lead to the problem that you’ve trying to solve?” asked Lt. Col. Katie Westerfield, division surgeon assigned with 3rd Infantry Division based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. “If I make sure that they have healthy food, that they live in a safe community and that they have leadership that cares about them, you’re going to be much more likely to be well and thriving and not choosing to get into negative behaviors.”

Information collected from the Soldiers at all levels are used to identify protective factors, which are then presented to the commanding general, Maj. Gen. Norrie. Norrie’s intent is to use the feedback to assess the quality of resources available to Soldiers while deployed. These factors are each analyzed from input received from Soldiers collectively to determine how they can be adjusted for improvements while serving.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, administers the oath of enlistment to newly promoted Staff Sgt. Tailor Anderson, an air traffic controller assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd ID, on Boleslawiec, Poland, Sept. 21, 2023. The oath of enlistment took place aboard a Blackhawk helicopter with Germany assigned as Anderson's next duty station. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bernabe Lopez III)

The protective factors framework is based on Dan Heath’s book, ‘Upstream,’ which explores how to resolve various personal problems. The book describes two men standing on a bridge who witness children drowning in a river and rush to save them. One of the men leaves to go upstream to prevent the children from being thrown into the river. The book uses the analogy to demonstrate the importance of not only focusing on the initial problem, but on the factors leading to the problem.

“Using protective factors enables leaders to assess the needs of our service members as well as develop initiatives to improve quality of life specific to the circumstances for each unit,” said Col. Grant Fawcett, 3rd Infantry Division’s deputy commander for support. “The division employed this framework at Fort Stewart with positive outcomes and expects these factors to further enhance quality of life for Soldiers and improve our ability to accomplish the mission in support of allies and partners in Europe.”