Resiliency graduates lead IMCOM mark

By Jennifer Scales, Managing EditorMay 25, 2012

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Another group of Civilians, Family Members and Soldiers walked forward to Pomp and Circumstance, played by the Third Infantry Division Band, as members of the latest graduation class of Resilience Training, May 18 at the Main Post Chapel.

Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander, Col. Kevin Milton, addressed the grads and those in attendance by noting that the installation was the leader in the Installation Management Command of resiliency training by 75 percent.

"That is a credit to our community and we are sharing our knowledge from the training with others," said Col. Milton. "Some of you may know of someone in your life, workplace, Sunday school or church who may have faced a life changing challenge. With these skills from resiliency training, you can help others see optimism in their future."

Lisa Jackson, who is an Army Community Service volunteer and Family Member from Hunter Army Airfield, agrees with the sentiments of Col. Milton.

"This is a great program of life learning skills," said Jackson. "When 'hunting for the good stuff', which is one of the program modules, you realize that there is some good to found in all of daily routines. Instead of taking things personal, I realize that we all come to the table with a certain point of reference."

In Jackson's opinion, this is a course that all Family Members and Soldiers should take. There were several directors of the installation who were in the count for graduation, one of them being the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director, Linda Heifferon.

"This is one of the best classes I have ever taken," began Heifferon. "As frontline staffers, we are always dealing with the customer on a continuous basis. But unless you know how to deal with yourself and know how to deal with other staff issues, you cannot be a customer oriented."

One of her favorite aspects of the course was the character strengths points.

"You learn a great deal about yourself," said Heifferon. "Those strengths can also be a weakness, but resiliency teaches you to understand when it is appropriate to use your strengths and to modify your stress so that everyone around you does not have their hair on fire."

Beau Bradley, a Master Resiliency Training Instructor, stated that this is a one-of-kind program for the Army. "If u give the program a shot, it will have a market affect on your life … it did for me," said Bradley.

Bradley added that the next week-long class is scheduled for June 11, and is open to Army Civilians, Family Members, and Soldiers. For more information or to sign-up, call 912-767-1257.