Do today's Service Members have the same level of resiliency as those who went before them?

LTC Gavin Heater — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 22:42:27 -0400

As a former a Deputy Group Commander in CONUS, a former Battalion Commander in both CONUS and Iraq, a former Battery XO OCONUS, and as a former Platoon Leader OCONUS, I have often wondered if the Soldiers I led possessed the same resiliency as those who came before them in former conflicts and prior decades. My belief is that while they were skilled and professional, their life experiences were generally less challenging than their parents and close relatives. So did this make them less resilient? In many cases I think the answer is yes, but certainly not for all. What are your thoughts? Same may apply to my impressions as a Staff Offficer, but I think to a slightly lesser degree.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made Mar 24 at 2015 6:08 AM

LTC Gavin Heater — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 06:08:30 -0400

Thanks for your reply. I did not mean to infer that any one generation of veterans, especially combat veterans, was weaker than the other. More so how they dealt with the effects of service and combat after they left the battlefield or even the AOR. Your points are well developed.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 24 at 2015 6:47 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 06:47:21 -0400

LTC Gavin Heater I would have to say that is a resounding YES. Few in past wars have had as many combat deployments as our troops of today. I work with combat vets who saw conflict in Desert Storm, Bosnia/Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Eight tours? Unheard of in previous eras.

Yes, many millennials seem incapable of blowing their nose, but most of these folks have certainly learned how, in spades...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 11:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:51:12 -0400

To me resiliency is learned. All things in my life default to the positive. Even in pessimistic capacities. We learn from our actions. When we stumble over things in our lives if we can learn from it and grow, that is what makes us better. Default to positive.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 22 at 2015 11:57 AM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:57:59 -0400

A Great question.
I say yes. " "Embrace the Suck" is an unofficial military phrase that is a sometimes polite, even forceful reminder from one troop to another that this life of theirs or their task at hand sucks and you only have two choices: embrace it, or roll over and die.." “Physically and mentally tough”
Can concretely identify one as being more resilient than another? As this is mental it would be a stretch. We must factor in variables of life experience, core values and beliefs success and failures.

Response by SPC Will Pooley made Apr 22 at 2015 12:09 PM

SPC Will Pooley — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:09:44 -0400

Response by SPC Keelan Southerland made Apr 23 at 2015 8:25 AM

SPC Keelan Southerland — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:25:12 -0400

I have talked in detail with a WW2 POW survivor here in Arkansas and he has recovered surprisingly well. However, he still has fear of Doberman Pincers. During some time in post military counseling I spoke with Vietnam vets and there were some who have done well and some not so well when talking about resiliency. Most of them have struggled with drugs, alcohol, jail and domestic violence all of which are tied into the buzz word resiliency.

I do not think they have more or less, I think they have the same amount as service members who have served in actual combat. I would be interested in knowing how many Vietnam Vets committed suicide after the war and subsequent years compared to the current number of 22 per day.