Troopers Take Part in Resiliency Week

By Sgt. Erik ThurmanAugust 7, 2014

Herschel Walker
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Lt. Col.James M. Stephens thanks Herschel Walker
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lieutenant Colonel James M. Stephens, Regimental Support Squadron Commander, thanks Herschel Walker for coming to meet Troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and take the time to meet them, during Fort Irwin's Resiliency Week, July 30. (Photo ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Resliiency Basketball
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2/11 Take Trophy
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – General Theodore D. Martin, Commanding General, National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, Calif. and NTC Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen J. Travers present a trophy to 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Commander, Lt. Col. LTC Shane D. Celeen. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Irwin, Calif. -- Troopers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) participated in a week-long training event July 28 to Aug. 1, as part of Fort Irwin's focus on resiliency.

Troopers received presentations on Master Resiliency Training (MRT), financial management, and participated in several sports competitions throughout the week. The events gave Servicemembers a chance to recharge, refocus and sharpen resiliency techniques that can be applied to one's professional and personal lives.

"No one is born with resiliency," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Flagg, an MRT trainer with the 11th ACR. "It is something that is taught."

Master Resiliency Training is a program that aims to promote positive psychological tools for Servicemembers and their Families to cope with bouncing back from adversity. MRT is part of a broader Army concept known as Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness.

Famed NFL star Herschel Walker visited with Troopers July 30, to talk about his own experiences with resiliency.

"You can't be ashamed of what you are going through," Walker told an auditorium full of Blackhorse Troopers. "Because there (are) other people going through it as well."

Walker then took the time to visit with Fort Irwin Servicemembers throughout the installation, speaking with many of them about the importance of taking care of oneself and reaching out to others when in need of help.

During Resiliency Week, Troopers competed in basketball, flag-football, tug-of-war, swimming a relay races, which served as platforms for Troopers to the apply resiliency strategies. The sporting activities also gave Troopers a break from their duties while promoting camaraderie and physical fitness. The 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR took the first place trophy for an overall victory in the competition.

Troopers can face adversity in their personal lives, whether it is a death in the Family or long periods of separation from home, explained Flagg. The key to resiliency training is that it broadens a Trooper's outlook to help them better avoid thinking traps that can lead to a downward spiral, he said.

By applying lessons learned through MRT -- Troopers can not only maintain control of their thoughts and actions, but better understand the tendency people have to respond with knee-jerk reactions. By better understanding this tendency, Troopers can keep their sights set on the big picture. With the hardships Troopers face today, applying resiliency techniques in their personal and professional lives is more important than ever. It builds a stronger and more resilient Soldier and a better Army as a whole, said Flagg.