Wounded warrior sets transition goals with help of CSF2

By Brian B. Feeney, Ph.D.November 7, 2013

Wounded Warrior Sets His Transition Goals with the Help of CSF2
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON, Va. (Nov. 7, 2013) -- Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, July 27, 2011, another American Soldier became a casualty.

"My squad was patrolling near the radio station when engaged by enemy fire, we received the message to assault it and clear out insurgents hiding inside," recalled Sgt. Daniel Lindsey. "They were armed with AK-47s, and what we didn't know was that they were wearing suicide-bomb vests. As we were maneuvering inside the building to make contact, they detonated their vests. The air exploded with flying debris and the roof collapsed on top of us. Nothing but smoke, shouting and the ringing in my ears. Then I was MedEvaced to Landstuhl (Germany)."

"Then, my goal was to heal, now it is to move on with my life, and for that, the Performance Enhancement Training I'm getting at Fort Carson's (Colo.) Warrior Transition Battalion is worth 100 doctors," he said.

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, known as CSF2, provides Performance Enhancement Training at 38 Warrior Transition Units and Community Based Warrior Transition Units across the Army, as well as at 16 CSF2 Training Centers at Army installations across the nation. Specially trained CSF2 Master Resilience Trainer Performance Experts or MRT-PEs, with advanced degrees in sports or performance psychology, provide training in several different skill areas to transitioning Soldiers. Their initial training includes Building Confidence, Attention Control, Energy Management, Integrating Imagery and Goal Setting. Soldiers can then elect to receive one-on-one Mastery Training with a MRT-PE on any one of these skills.

"Sergeant Lindsey chose Goal Setting, and his goal is to get a civilian job upon leaving the Army. But not just any job, one that matches his values, life-work balance, which includes time for his family," recalled his MRT-PE at Fort Carson, Kelly O'Brien.

Goal Setting teaches Soldiers a comprehensive seven-step process to energize, direct, and sustain behavior toward a desired outcome.

"In the time I have been working with him, he has shown determination, diligence, and initiative. He has great strength underneath his quiet and humble demeanor," she added.

"The information Kelly provided me through Goal Setting training is more than enough to get anyone on the right track. You are only limited by yourself," said Lindsey. "Even though none of us in the Warrior Transition Battalion know exactly when we'll be leaving the Army, through Goal Setting, I have learned how to create contingency plans that break it down into those things I can do without a firm transition date. They include creating resumes customized to each of my skill areas, getting internships, attending job fairs, joining online professional networking sites and making my own business card.".

Lindsey sees Performance Enhancement Training as something that helps him through all phases of his job search.

"I have learned how to plan every step of the preparation process to get me to the interview stage. Then when it's time for the interview, you know you will make a good impression. You've done your homework so you know you're prepared, you look and feel prepared," said Lindsey.

"Goal Setting is a part of my life now. Even when I have a new job, I now have a new set of standards to live by. I will continue to grow from them long after I land that job," he concluded.

To learn more about Performance Enhancement Training offered by Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, visit http://csf2.army.mil/performance-enhancement.html.

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Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness

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