Revitalizing spiritual resiliency through recreation

By Cpl. Sin, Jae-HyungJune 14, 2017

Revitalizing spiritual resiliency through recreation
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Douglas C. Swift Jr., Command Chaplain, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and Staff Sgt. Hoon Joo, Secretary of the General Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge, 19th ESC depart from the start point in the same riding gr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Revitalizing spiritual resiliency through recreation
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Sgt. Teodoro N. Martinez, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company First Sergeant, celebrates a successful bike ride event, after completing the entire eight mile route, June 9, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DAEGU, South Korea -- Soldiers gathered to run and ride bikes along the Sincheon River in an early morning breeze for a special reason. The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command's Chaplain's Office hosted the Sincheon River Bike Ride, June 9.

It was open to all 19th ESC personnel who could either rent bikes or use their own. Participants had to abide by the safety measures such as wearing approved bike helmets, reflective vests, eye protection and water sources.

"An event like this promotes spiritual resiliency because it is recreational," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Douglas C. Swift Jr., Command Chaplain, 19th ESC. "The words, 'recreational' and 're-creational', although pronounced differently, are spelled the same way. Recreation is a way that we can re-create our resiliency. In the military, we often push ourselves constantly, without rest, so it's easy for us to beget an upset pattern of behavior, and that takes away from resiliency. So when we take some time out to do something recreational, we are re-creating resiliency."

Soldiers assembled at the starting point along the Sincheon River at 6 a.m. Because the event's purpose was not to race against each other, participants looked relaxed and were ready to enjoy their 're-creation'. Participants were accounted for, received a safety brief and placed into riding groups which departed at separate time intervals.

"Spiritual resiliency is important because it improves a number of things in life," said Swift. "First and foremost, it improves our relationship with our god or gods. It improves the relationship with our families and makes us more effective and happier workers."

At the turn-around point, everyone stopped for snacks and were given a short acknowledgment on spiritual resiliency training. Shortly after, they departed for the start point in riding groups to finish the eight mile ride.

"What I liked about this event was being out with my teammates and being able to ride bikes together," said Staff Sgt. Hoon Joo, Secretary of the General Staff Non-commissioned Officer In Charge, 19th ESC. "By sharing the same interest and relieving accumulated stress with teammates, I was able to regain spiritual resiliency which is instrumental to mission success."

The 19th ESC will now use the lessons learned from this event to plan for another meaningful recreational activity to bolster soldiers' spiritual resiliency.