Tools for Resiliency

By Sgt. David BeckstromDecember 12, 2014

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1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Orvie Baker, a presenter with Catharsis Productions, talks about how Soldiers can intervene and help prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault during a 'Got Your Back' training class on Fort Irwin, California Dec. 9. The training showed ways bysta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The four "D's" of Bystander Intervention are written out for Soldiers to see how they can prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault on Fort Irwin, California Dec. 9. This is part of the 'Got Your Back' training from Catharsis Production which trav... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Shane D. Celeen, commander of the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, addresses his Soldiers after being awarded the Commander's Cup Award for the hard work and dedication his Squadron put forth during the sports portion of resilien... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Elizabeth Sinclair (Right), the National Training Center Army Substance Abuse Program Coordinator, and Sgt. William Nichols (Left), Orderly Room Non-commissioned officer with the Military Intelligence Company, Regimental Sustainment Squadron, 11th Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of Fort Irwin, California participated in a Flag Football competition on Dec. 9. The competition was part of the commander's cup challenge and resiliency week which focused on helping Soldiers to recover from difficult situations in their li... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and National Training Center partners conducted semi-annual resiliency training and commander's cup challenge, here, during the week of Dec. 8.

The training is part of the Army's continuing effort to ensure Soldiers are fully trained and ready to cope with life's challenges.

"The training we received this week gave tools for both Soldiers and leaders to help each other understand how to bounce back from adversity," said Spc. Jonathan R. Owens, training room clerk for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR. "It showed us how we can use our past experiences to deal with any future problems."

The training included classes on Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, Equal Opportunity, Bystander Intervention and how to stop catastrophic thinking. Each of these classes focused on how to prevent, report and recover from these issues.

"Each person comes from a different background and has a different way of thinking," said 1st Lt. Abraham J. Johnson, a platoon leader with H Company, 2/11 ACR. "These classes gave each Soldier and leader a baseline knowledge and understanding of the topics to enable them to have a shared starting point in dealing with difficult issues. Having this baseline allows people to start looking at the world in a more positive manner which will help people overcome those issues."

Being able to bounce back like a tennis ball rather than crack like an egg is what the Army wants its Soldiers to do, according to the training from this week.

"Resiliency is all about consistency," said Command Sgt. Maj. James T. Gandy, Command Sgt. Maj. for 2/11 ACR. "The ability to win, not just once, but being able to consistently overcome adversity is the main issue."

The week's activities also included the 2nd iteration of the commander's cup which included events such as basketball, flag football, an obstacle course and chili cook-off. Each unit from Fort Irwin, California had teams in these events to build camaraderie and esprit de corps.

"The sport events allowed friendly competition for the Soldiers," said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Wilson, a volunteer referee and the National Training Center's G-1 Sgt. Maj. "The Commander's Cup ties into the training by showing that the Soldier's command teams actually care about how they are doing by showing their support and motivation."

The events held over this week provided the Soldiers time to think about how their lives are progressing and a break from the operational stresses that can be experienced here.

"The overall winners of the Commander's Cup are 2/11 ACR, but the real winners of this week are each Soldier," said Spc. Leonard B. Cole, a communications representative with F troop, 2/11 ACR. "The skills we acquired this week can have a lasting impact on each of our lives by helping us to be the resilient person that we need to be."