Summer Resilient Fort Irwin

Fort Irwin, Calif. – The residents and visitors of Fort Irwin have one of the most extreme summer climates in the world; according to AccuWeather, tempuras have reached 115 degrees in the first half of July. Despite that, and the 40-minute drive to the nearest town, the Fort Irwin community continues to thrive.

“We’re partnered with the NTC G1 in dedicating resources to keep the Fort Irwin community ready and resilient through the summer months,” said Lane A. Bomar, Fort Irwin’s Garrison Commander. “Resilient people treat themselves with kindness, especially when things are hard; Fort Irwin is naturally hard, so we take pride in facilitating the needs of our people.”

The Ft Irwin R2 Performance Center, Box Gym, water park, playground, and sports complex makes a significant sub campus for one to practice resiliency, which is completely free for anyone on Fort Irwin.

“They offer all types of training; leadership development, academic training, performance enhancement as well as individual mastery sessions, all free of charge,” said Command Sgt. Maj. David D. Palmer, the Fort Irwin Garrison Command Sergeant Major. “It’s staffed by counselors with master’s degrees in sports or performance psychology; resilient people recognize the importance of support and knowing when they need help.”

Capt. Martha Lane-Kinnett, on temporary duty from 3rd Infantry Division, has become a Box Gym regular in her limited time on post. “This place is wonderful; has tons of equipment, lots of space for everyone, and even a turf track for the sled pull,” said Lane-Kinnett while in the middle of a workout. “If this facility wasn’t indoors, we’d be limited to early morning workouts, due to the heat.”

Fort Irwin Morale, Welfare and Recreation is a quality-of-life program that supports readiness by providing a variety of community, Soldier and Family support activities and services. Through MWR, community members regularly take advantage of off post excursions to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Disney, ski resorts, and countless other attractions in the greater Mojave.

The Warrior Zone, an MWR facility where community members can have a snack, play video games, watch the game, book a trip, or simply fellowship with peers, is a facility mostly utilized by single soldiers.

“We have a lot of young adults in the Army, many of whom have just arrived here for their first assignment,” Bomar continued. “Resilience skills can help us cope with these types of transitions, and even mitigate the effects of feeling isolated or deal with the hot temperatures.”

“The R2 Performance Center is open to everyone who lives or works on Ft Irwin, Soldiers, Family Members, DA Civilians and other Contractors,” said Dave Markus, the center’s manager. “One of the biggest lessons in performance psychology is we have more control over our performance then we think.”

Fort Irwin is home to the most playgrounds out of any army garrison. There’s even a rumor that the garrison Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) harbors a “secret” meditation room; some say it’s a mediation room, others refer to it simply as the relaxation room. The rumor is indeed fact and is open to anyone on Fort Irwin who is feeling overwhelmed.

The room is stocked with yoga mats, a massage chair, aroma therapy, a fancy coffee maker, and even a row of pedal carts. “It’s all about self-care,” said Liz Sinclair, a Risk Reduction Coordinator at Fort Irwin ASAP. “We use the carts for drinking and driving awareness!”

A reference to the primary mission of ASAP.

“We teach resiliency nonstop, but the summer does present its own set of challenges,” said Liz Sinclair, a Risk Reduction Coordinator at Fort Irwin ASAP. “Be mindful not to overindulge and fall asleep in the sun; you don’t feel it; outdoors activities, boating and swimming.”

Any Fort Irwin community member may reach out to the R2 Center, Chaplain, ASAP, or unit chain of command if feeling overwhelmed. "Help is available, we just need to hear from you," Palmer ended.