Armor For The Mind

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Definition

The official term for the U.S. Army’s psychological The official term for the U.S. Army’s psychological resiliency building program. This term describes the resiliency building program. This term describes the Warrior’s inner strength to face fear and adversity Warrior’s inner strength to face fear and adversity during combat, with courage and speaks to during combat, with courage and speaks to resiliency skills that are developed to survive.resiliency skills that are developed to survive.

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Components

• Self-confidence:• Take calculated risks• Handle future challenges

• Mental toughness:• Overcome obstacles or setbacks• Maintain positive thoughts during times of adversity

and challenge

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The U.S Army’s psychological resiliency building program

LIFE-CYCLE DEPLOYMENT-CYCLE SOLDIER-SUPPORT•Basic Battlemind Training (BBT)•Battlemind Warrior Resiliency (BWR) •Battlemind Warrior Resiliency-Transition (BWR-T)•Battlemind Warrior Resiliency-Recertification (BWRR)•Battlemind For Leaders (BFL)•Battlemind For Leaders-Intermediate (BFL-I)•Battlemind Pre-Command and Senior Leaders (BSL) Training

• Pre-Deployment Battlemind–Leaders–Junior Enlisted–Helping Professions–Spouse/Couples

•Post-Deployment Battlemind–PDHA Battlemind–PDHRA Battlemind–Spouse/Couples

•Battlemind Psychological Debrief–In Theater (Time and Event Driven)–Post Deployment

•Traumatic Event Management•Spouse/Couples During Deployment Battlemind

•Battlemind Warrior Resiliency Advanced (BWR-A)•Battlemind for GME•COSC Course •Suicide Prevention•Spouse/Kids Battlemind•DA Civilians Battlemind•USAR/ARNG Battlemind•VA/Network Provider Battlemind•Joint Operations Battlemind•Military Community Battlemind•mTBI/PTSD Chain Teach

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The U.S Army’s psychological resiliency building program

LIFE-CYCLE DEPLOYMENT-CYCLE SOLDIER-SUPPORT

•Basic Battlemind Training (BBT)•Battlemind Warrior Resiliency (BWR) •Battlemind Warrior Resiliency-Transition (BWR-T)•Battlemind Warrior Resiliency-Recertification (BWRR)•Battlemind For Leaders (BFL)•Battlemind For Leaders-Intermediate (BFL-I)•Battlemind Pre-Command and Senior Leaders (BSL) Training

•Pre-Deployment Battlemind–Leaders–Junior Enlisted–Helping Professions–Spouse/Couples

•Post-Deployment Battlemind–PDHA Battlemind–PDHRA Battlemind–Spouse/Couples

•Battlemind Psychological Debrief–In Theater (Time and Event Driven)–Post Deployment

•Traumatic Event Management•Spouse/Couples During Deployment Battlemind

•Battlemind Warrior Resiliency Advanced (BWR-A)•Battlemind for GME•COSC Course •Suicide Prevention•Spouse/Kids Battlemind•DA Civilians Battlemind•USAR/ARNG Battlemind•VA/Network Provider Battlemind•Joint Operations Battlemind•Military Community Battlemind•mTBI/PTSD Chain Teach

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Battlemind Training System: Deployment-Cycle

Alert

Transition to Post-Conflict

Battlemind AARPsychological Debriefing

Continuing the Transition Home

Battlemind Training II

PDHRA BattlemindBrief and DVD

Transitioning from Combat to Home

Post-Deployment Battlemind

Battlemind AARPsychological Debriefing

Pre-Deployment Battlemind For:LeadersJunior EnlistedHelping Professionals

Spouse/Couples Pre-Deployment Battlemind

Tough Facts about Combat

and what leaders can do to mitigate risk and build confidence

Battlemind Training I

Spouse/Couples Post-Deployment Battlemind

Preparing for a Military Deployment

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Preschoolers“Talk, Listen, Connect”http://www.sesameworkshop.org/tlc/

6 to 11 year olds“Mr. Po and Friends Discuss… Family Reunion After Deployment”http://patrin.info/george/Deployment%20issues.htm

12 to 19 year olds“Youth Coping with Military Deployment: Promoting Resilience in Your Family”http://www.aap.org/sections/unifserv/deployment/index.htm

Parents“Talk, Listen, Connect”http://www.sesameworkshop.org/tlc/

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Objectives

• To prepare the Warrior mentally for the rigors faced in of all types of military operations including combat.

• To assist the Warrior in the transition home process.

• To provide the Warrior the skills to assist their Battlemind-Buddy with their transition back home.

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Objectives (cont’d)

• To prepare the Warrior as quickly as possible to conduct continued military operations and possibly deploy again in support of all types of military operations including additional combat tours.

• Includes both Soldiers and Families.

• Reduce Stigma associated with behavioral health.

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• Evidence-based: Built on findings from the Land Combat Study.

• Experience-based: Uses examples that Warriors can relate.

• Strengths-based: Builds on existing Warrior strengths and skills; rejects a deficit or illness model.

• Training-based: Focuses on skill development – not education.

• Explanatory: Highlights conflicted/ misunderstood reactions.

• Team-Based: Self-awareness through helping buddy.

• Action-Focused: Discusses specific actions to guide Warrior behavior. 12

Battlemind Training Evaluation Study

"Battlemind Training was the best training I've had in the last 10 years in the Army" Senior NCO

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Battlemind Training Evaluation Study

• Intervention Comparison Groups include:

Small GroupBattlemind

(Groups of ~30)

Large GroupBattlemind

(Groups of 100+)

Large GroupStress

Education

(Groups of 100+)

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• Preliminary data is based on 2,039 Soldier surveys

• Small Battlemind training was rated significantly higher than large Battlemind and large Stress Education training

Battlemind Training Evaluation Study

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Battlemind Training Evaluation Study

3.0 3.1

2.7 2.82.6 2.5

2.7

3.02.7

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Satisfaction Usefulness Relevance

Mea

n S

core

Small BattlemindLarge BattlemindStress Ed

A lot

Not at all

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Battlemind Training Evaluation Study- Outcomes

• Soldiers with high levels of exposure to combat who received Battlemind Training reported

• Reduced post-traumatic stress symptoms

• Less sleep problems

• Minimal perceived stigma associated with mental health problems

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Battlemind Training Evaluation Study- Outcomes

Soldiers with high levels of exposure to combat who received BMT reported

• Perceived organizational support

• NS: no effects on depression, alcohol, or anger

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• Soldiers receiving pre-deployment Battlemind training feel more prepared for the deployment and also report fewer mental health problems (Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT) V).

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Battlemind Training System: New Web Page

(www.battlemind.army.mil); 3rd Quarter ‘08

Battlemind Training System: Current Web Page

(www.battlemind.org)

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Warrior Ethos• We take care of our

own• Seeking help shows

courage• Warriors encourage

growth and resiliency• No Warrior will be left

behind

ARMY STRONG. 21