Posted on Apr 17, 2015
COL Charles Williams
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"Army morale low despite 6-year, $287M optimism program" (AKA the Army Resiliency Program)

... Or... perhaps it could because of 14 years of sustained combat, high optempo, and record/multiple deployments....

As Garrison Commander (just coming off of 15 Month Deployment in Baghdad during the surge) from 2009 - 2012, I was on the ground floor of all the work to "stop the bleeding" with regards to record suicides, sexual assaults, alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and this goes on... The "Resiliency Program" and efforts was our solution. But, I was never really sure if this was something that was needed, would work, or whether it was yet another bright idea to demonstrate we were at least trying to help?

As a Commander, at many levels, I have dealt with all these issues, and I have also put lots of thought into how to reduce and stop these issues. The resiliency program was part of the Army's solution.

I left the Army in 2013, and the program just getting off the ground.

- What are your thoughts on the Resiliency Program?

- Or... How can we help with Low Morale.... which leads to many of the other issues we are trying to get after.


http://www.militarytimes.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/16/army-survey-morale/24897455/


(http://www.army.mil/readyandresilient)
Edited 9 y ago
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SSG Information Technology Specialist
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I am a MRT. I might be bias...but...I learned about myself. What triggers me. And how I can help/mentor those going through the same struggles.
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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Soldiering morale starts at the top. No more lies. No more BS. No more homeless. No more VA BS. No more unemployment. No more suicides. No more three, four, five, deployments in combat. NO MORE DOUBT ABOUT THE FUTURE! All of this makes me sick. How can our military concentrate on their combat missions? How can exiting military concentrate on their family or future, not knowing what's next. Shame on our government and tha VA system for causing these problems. When I was in Vietnam, I didn't give my future a thought. I knew I had a job waiting for me when I got back. I felt comfortable being in the military. All that concerned me was the next beer or date. The troops today don't even have time for that. It's appalling. I would imagine a lot of today's suicides are not from combat PTSD but rather not knowing their future and giving up.
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SGT Military Police
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I don't disagree, but I don't think it's only that either. I have seen many veterans who get out and feel entitled to something, treating all civilians like complete garbage, and personally, I would have no interest in hiring those types either. I don't think it's a majority, but it's not nonexistent either, and they most likely have poisoned the well for the vast majority who aren't like that.
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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Great point SGT Vanhulle. But, I think if a company likes to hire vets and that type interviews, he will be seen for what he thinks he is. If so, bye bye job.
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SGT Military Police
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I definitely agree, merit should be the deciding factor above all. I think it'll get better, but it starts with everyone not just the top.
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SFC Stephen King
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Edited 9 y ago
I am the master of my fate and captain of my soul!
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