How important is MRT (Master Resilience Training) in the Armed Forces today?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:59:00 -0500

Many argue that the skills that are taught in MRT are normal, everyday life skills that should be taught and learned at home. If that's the case, why are we spending millions on the CSF2 (Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness) program to teach Soldiers AFTER they come to us? Is it really worth the money and manpower? Is there a better way? How will this effort help or hurt us moving forward?

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 7 at 2013 12:59 PM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:59:39 -0500

SFC, you nailed it when you said "normal, everyday life skills that should be taught and learned at home." The sad fact about modern society is that far too many kids leave home devoid of this skills victim of parents who either don't have the skills themselves, or don't meet their obligation to pass them along to their children. It's a sad commentary on our society, but I believe for the foreseeable future the military will need to continue such programs to pick up the slack. I have had several junior members who were genuinely good people, but lacked some of the basic life's skills many of us take for granted. Investing the effort in developing them was the only way to avoid wasting all the money and time we already committed to making service members out of them. It's an expensive reality given what it cost to send a civilian to recruit indoctrination and A School (AIT). It's money down the drain if they wash out half way through their first enlistment.

Response by MG Peter Bosse made Nov 8 at 2013 1:05 PM

MG Peter Bosse — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:05:09 -0500

MRT skills are absolutely essential in today's Armed Forces. As a recent MRT graduate, I speak from experience, and with over 33 years in the military I have never been to a better individual Soldier training course. The results are rapid, positive and I believe sustainable. I agree with SCPO Young regarding many the lack of skills among many of todays young adults, including one or two of my own! These skills, along with emotional intelligence and Covey's 7 Habits, are the true skills that will empower these young military professionals to reach new heights.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2013 1:30 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:30:21 -0500

A lot of our younger troops are coming to us fresh out of high school. And I do agree alot of these skills should be learned at home, at the same time our for our brand new PVT your unit my be their first home out side the nest. That being said they may have never faced any "adult problems". I also believe if soldiers were being counseled, mentored and lead by strong leaders who cared then there would be no need for a formal check the block MRT slideshow. I am not trying to take anything away from the program because I have personally taken away a tool or two from it, but I do feel it was born out of a necessity created by a lack of leadership.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Nov 9 at 2013 12:50 PM

CPT Ray Doeksen — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:50:32 -0500

What exactly is taught at MRT?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2013 1:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 13:05:33 -0500

I agree with SCPO Young. Unfortunately many young soldiers come into their first enlistment lacking some of the basic adult life skills they need to deal with adult problems. MRT is an attempt to compensate for this problem and prevent those soldiers from making mistakes that will then become much bigger problems that their leaders and units will have to deal with. Sadly though, most of them time MRT training ends up being a quick check-the-block task as SGT Haranzo said, and is not really accomplishing it's intent. I know every time I'm at work and they announce that it's time for MRT classes everyone rolls their eyes and sighs because it means we all have to drop what we're doing to go sit in the dayroom while an NCO rattles off a bunch of bullet points real fast while we pass around the sign-in roster, and then we all leave.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Nov 10 at 2013 12:39 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:39:02 -0500

Honestly, I don't think this program has given me anything at all, nor do I feel it does any good. We had MRT training consistently just like every other unit in the Army and we still had a great, young Soldier kill himself... because of a woman. He actually used the suicide awareness/MRT training to mask his behaviors so no one would know.

However, looking at the bigger picture, the greater problem is beyond the scope of MRT training. We have thousands of Soldiers coming back from war dealing with issues far greater than just unrequited love. Those folks need real help from real therapists, not Soldiers (usually an already busy E7) who were tasked to go to a two week certification course and then are expected to perform that duty on top of all of their others jobs. Skills like "hunt the good stuff" are just repackaged sayings such as "look on the bright side." It's actually somewhat insulting.

I agree that some of the troops coming in now do not have the life skills needed for Army life and need some sort of assistance dealing with things. Perhaps now that the drawdown is here we can weed these folks out before they get into the Army. Or maybe develop one on one counseling for those already in and unable to handle things. But this program is powerpoint at its worst. A vapid program devoid of any real meaning or use.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 13 at 2013 9:25 AM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 09:25:10 -0500

I had a friend who attended it years ago and got hurt and have to have a hip replacement, so that is the worst memory I have ever had. I enjoyed the course and learned a lot for my own health and fitness, but the constant changes to policy and rules regarding PF is a constant pain as well. In fact he had his hip replacement done at BAMC in your current vicinity in 2002, he even worked at ISR before and during recovery.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 7 at 2014 12:29 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:29:02 -0500

Congratulations on getting into the course. There are a lot of good things that come out of the training. The program is solid in my opinion. The techniques that they teach about reducing stress and such are very good. Also, this is one of those Army programs that are here to stay. It is good that you are getting certified early. That training and ASI may open up a few more doors for you in the future with regards to assignment considerations. Good luck!!!

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 7 at 2014 3:50 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 03:50:48 -0500

The program is new and has a lot of great stuff in it. On a personal level, take it and apply it. Live it.
Where we need to be careful is the group of "Leaders" that take it as a "check the block" and then run back to the units and plug in their own BS into what is otherwise a solid program.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 4:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:44:45 -0500

To be kind if to the point, Not Very Important.

While I agree that Resiliency is a quality that is essential in a good Soldier, It isn't something you can teach in a class and expect amazing results. We do way too many classes in the Army for Soldiers to take them seriously. They focus on staying awake and that's about it. That's just my opinion though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 12:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 00:29:19 -0500

I have been to multiple units that have taught MRT. Only one of them gave the most benefit and that was because of the instructors. You can tell they new what they was talking about and lived it. They did not stay on power point the whole time they got creative with it and also came up with story telling from volunteers and great examples for group discussions on topics. I Recently just graduated from MRT and they are adding more into the program on March 1st. The way that it is taught is the biggest difference if Soldiers pay attention or just say here is death by power point again.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 1:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:10:55 -0500

I am indifferent on the MRT program. I have deployed 3 times and only been through MRT classes and an MRT event once. Which was a great class and experience, but the unit I had gone through with ironically was not who I re-deployed most recently with. My experiences were completely different from all of theirs. There were many Soldiers that were new to the Army that were in this class that when I spoke of my deployment looked at me with shock. I feel it is a good resource, not pushed or utilized to its fullest extent and ability.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 11:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:21:07 -0500

SSG Woolard,

Every time it see this on the training docket I think to myself, great, another hour of my life I won't be able to get back. I am not happy with that thought, but like most Army training, it never changes. Normally same training in the same location taught by the same individual who is just as annoyed to teach it as we are to receive it.

I hate that I feel that way about training and I normally do not let it show as I understand the importance of training, but once you have gotten to a certain point and heard the same training for the umpteenth time with no change to how it is presented, it gets old. Unfortunately it has become another check the block that we must all comply with.

Response by SSG Lisa Rendina made Feb 17 at 2014 12:15 AM

SSG Lisa Rendina — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:15:33 -0500

I can't really speak about the Master Resiliency Program, but the every-4-years resiliency training we all had to go through turned out to be kind of a joke. We had great instructors who were putting their all into conducting the class, but it didn't help me as a Soldier, it hasn't trickled over into my marriage, and can all too quickly spiral into "let's bash our Spouse".

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 12:23 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:23:48 -0500

SSG Woolard,

Being in the Army for almost three years, I began to notice a difference among soldiers and their levels of "resiliency," I just could never put my finger on what it was. I consider myself a very resilient soldier and couldn't define why I and other soldiers like me could handle rough situations and others were getting caught in "catastrophic thinking." What made the two different?

I went to my first sit-in, multiple-hour MRP session upon arrival to my first unit. I was very highly impressed with the program. It well defined "resiliency" and what it meant to be resilient. The next time a friend and fellow soldier came to me with very alarming thoughts, I felt much better equipped to handle that situation.

The instructor of the course was very energetic and very confident. She made the class very interesting and was able to involve everyone in the class. The key to an effective training isn't death by powerpoint. It's talking with those soldiers on a peer level, regardless of if they out-rank you, or you out-rank them.

In response to what SFC Rosenlund said, I agree. I feel training will always feel like a drag, but it is still essential and can really help a soldier who might be headed down a dangerous path.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Feb 17 at 2014 8:41 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:41:09 -0500

SSG Woolard

Almost immediately after redeploying from Afghanistan, we were rounded up for MRT. The instructor was wonderful. He seemed caring and engaged the audience as much as possible. He also used light humor and many of his own personal stories as examples.

While the intention was good, the bad part for some was it served as a reminder of how much time we spent away from home, the hell we put our families through, significant events we missed, etc etc. It was truly heartbreaking and we just wanted out of there.

I'd say when teaching classes ensure you know your audience and adjust your class so you're reaching your listeners rather than turning them away.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 5:29 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:29:09 -0500

I think the best thing you can do as a MRT instructor is to use examples, either of yourself or of others you know personally, that used this training. If you don't, it becomes like SFC Rosenlund said, a check-the-block training session with both trainer and trainee not buying into the session, counting the hours until it's over.

I also think it might be better for the training to be targeted at Platoon Sergeants and squad leaders, that they can pass the concepts of MRT on to their soldiers during daily operations. Giving official names and terms to coping mechanisms and techniques makes Joe uncomfortable/hostile to them sometimes, and if it comes from someone they respect (particularly if that someone is a battle-hardened NCO) they are more likely to be receptive.

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Response by 1SG Calanski Brunson made Feb 21 at 2014 8:43 PM

1SG Calanski Brunson — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:43:48 -0500

I went to the MRT in Korea back in 2010 and helped stood up the first Resiliency Center in Area IV. As an instructor I had to learn and grow my teaching style over time. The more I taught the better I was at convening my message over time. The key to selling MRT is showing how it works in your life. I tell all my classes that all the skills I might teach you may not work for you but take the ones that do work and apply it too your life and see what happens. I even tell them what I like and what I use the least. I keep the class as active as possible to the point I make the class read to together all the slides in unison. I always try to get people to talk the more they talk the better. The only time I talk is to get them back on topic or to expand on a comment. Once you get people to open up the more they are comfortable in sharing their life stories and insight. I seen E-1 through E-4 share some amazing stories and experiences and shock some of their NCO's of what they know. MRT is a great tool but the real success comes from the Command Team to support it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2014 12:49 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:49:00 -0400

I'm MRT level 2 qualified. I hate hate hate MRT. I think it's an enormous waste of time and resources to 'check a block' per se.

The army solicited bids by third parties to develop the program. It only received one (UPenn) for $31 million, and thus MRT was born out of the already questionable CSF program. I honestly don't feel the program is grounded in reality, and the fact that it's pushed en masse is disgusting.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 3:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:13:08 -0400

Being resilient will help with the stressors of military life, but what I hear is that I should toughen up and get back to work. My impression of the overarching message of "resiliency training" is, in order to prevent suicide, we need to eat more fruits and vegetables, keep fit and share our feelings with our co-workers on a regular basis. In other words, the onus is on us to ‘toughen up' and find ways to deal with whatever the military chooses to throw at us.

Two thoughts result for me. First, as to “resilience”; I am fully aware that “resilience” should ideally, include within it a connotation of moving forward towards something. Yet I would still argue that the word doesn't have to entail such an endpoint. One could still feel “resilient” and then thankful that such qualities make it possible to live each day fully as if today were the first and last day of one’s life.

Second, could this be one avenue to understand at least some of the current suicides of those who are killing themselves both while on active duty, national guard, reserves and as veterans? One does not need to be deployed in order to feel that nothing coheres. I work in a bureaucracy, after all: if one wants to see the VA as another (pardon the pun) pyramid scheme of emotional and professional capital, one will have ample opportunity to gather quite persuasive evidence in support of that conclusion. At least you get the chance to go home to a family, secure in an identity that is only used at the VA, not housed there.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 31 at 2014 8:27 PM

SFC James Baber — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:27:05 -0400

Was actually enrolled to start, and then are BN got its orders for OIF I and all schools were cancelled and TDYs were rescinded, so didn't go, and when I returned from deployment, had orders to PCS, so I was no longer going ot be an asset for that unit, so never was ever re-slotted again.

I would've liked to have gone. Good luck and have fun.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 8:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:38:14 -0400

MSG Morgan-

I attended the course in 2012, and have been the primary Company trainer for Infantry OSUT, as well as the primary Battalion trainer for the permanent party (cadre) Soldiers.

I have seen a lot of value professionally to the course. I have experimented with variable amounts of the training within IET, and can say the quantifiable results are proven (I.e. APFT, marksmanship, etc.) when the skills are taught and applied regularly.

Personally, though, is where I was surprised. I found that, in spite of the arduous conditions requisite with being a Drill Sergeant, my relationships with my family greatly imprived after the course. The key, of course, is to keep an open mind!

Good luck!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 31 at 2014 8:43 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:43:45 -0400

I hope to go at some point..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 3:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 03:25:19 -0400

Yes MRT is vital. The point that is being missed here that Resilliency is about bouncing back from life changing events....Loss of aBattle....loss of a relative....loss of Rank....MRT is about giving the skills to overcome verses going on a downward spiral.

Whether you like admit it...its a part of our duty to look after a Soldiers mental and emotional well being....this is a good thing...becuz if you really plug jnto MRT youll learn to make genuine connections with those you serve with.

Ammidawg7

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 4:21 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:21:52 -0400

It doesn't take a new program. It doesn't cost millions of dollars.

Treat each others as bothers and sisters. Look out for the people in your unit. That's the way to move forward.

Response by 1SG Russell Carey made Jun 18 at 2014 1:09 PM

1SG Russell Carey — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 13:09:48 -0400

RT training helps the Soldier understand why they react to certain situations the way they do. They learn about their Icebergs which are the driving force to how we act or react. What we learn growing up has nothing to do with RT it's learning and understanding why. I am a Certified MRT and training mainly civilians and family members but I have given the training to Soldiers as well. Once you understand the purpose of RT you can put your situation in perspective.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 18 at 2014 1:28 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 13:28:23 -0400

It is good training, but like all other "mandatory", check-the-block type of training we have in the Army, we take the attitude that if a little is good, more is better......meaning we go waaaay overboard on it.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 7:37 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 19:37:41 -0500

We see the MRT as an absolute force multiplier. We are going to invest more in this training for our unit.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jan 12 at 2015 8:17 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:17:06 -0500

The operative word in the question is "should" - the problem is that those skills are not being taught and learned at home, and that young people come to the Army (and the other armed forces, and the civilian workplace) without the coping skills needed to survive deployment, family separation, etc.

We can all wish for the old days, where parents taught their kids about work ethic, service before self, and all of those other things, but they are gone. Out here in the civilian world, we are having to teach young employees how to iron shirts, polish shoes, and all the stuff that our fathers taught us about coming to work. Dealing with the "trophy generation" is a different animal.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 10:16 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:16:23 -0500

One time training to me. Quarterly is overkill.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 10:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:19:20 -0500

I personally have not had a chance to attend the course. I will say that I have not been impressed with those that are graduates.

Unfortunately the ones I have come into contact with are just trying to check the block and get the paperwork done which is a waste of everyone's time. I understand that many do not care for mandatory training but it is part of the whole training concept.

I am under the belief that if you are going to do something then do it correct!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 9:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:26:26 -0500

It is a very good program unfortunately, the ones who are exposed to the training more are usually the only ones who can account for it's effectiveness.