The Collaborative Power of H2F to Meet the Needs of the Devil Brigade

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1400-1420
Location: Main Ballroom / 2nd Floor
Speaker: CPT Sean Kratchman, Mental Readiness Director, Devil H2F, 1BCT, 82nd ABN DIV 

Description:
H2F teams across the force are postured with the right blend of leadership, talent, and teamwork to meet the needs of their supported Brigades. In 2023, Devil H2F, 1BCT, 82nd ABN DIV rose to meet the need of their Paratroopers, specifically shifting their efforts towards Acute Concussion Care post Airborne Operation (ABO). This presentation is a case study into the effective, interdisciplinary approach of an H2F team meeting an organic need quickly and continually refining processes along the way to ensure the highest level of care for Devil Brigade Paratroopers.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Marksmanship and Lethality by Synchronizing Breath Control and Heart Rate

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1400-1420
Location: Room 108-109 / 1st Floor
Speakers: MAJ Laura Dy, 3BCT 10MTN DIV Patriot H2F; Ms. Rebecca Lawler, CMPC; Mr. John Herger, CSCS

Description:
Infantry Soldiers protect our Country at the ground level. They have the greatest need to be not just proficient in their weapons skills, but experts. Soldiers are taught, and continually train the physical, tactical, and technical skills required for their jobs but often neglect training the psychological skills needed to stay focused and make decisions under stress. Managing stress and learning to use it appropriately for positive outcomes is a critical skill. “Breath control should be a mandatory component of survival stress management” Asken, Grossman, and Christensen, 2009.

The multidisciplinary team of Strength and Conditioning coach (SCC), Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS), and Occupational Therapist (OT) at Fort Johnson, Louisiana are working together to improve readiness, situational awareness, and marksmanship accuracy. The team is using the DART weapons simulation system to measure marksmanship through realistic scenarios and Inner Balance Software technology to measure coherence, synchronizing breath control and heart rate. The Soldiers receive psychoeducation and practice on imagery, pre-performance routines, and heart rate variability (HRV) from the CPS and OT team. Soldiers participate in physical exercise to increase heart rate and respiration rate to mimic increased stress levels. Soldiers transition to the DART range and are given 1 minute to execute their newly developed skills prior to shooting. Our goal is for Soldiers to enhance psychological hardiness by learning arousal control leading to a more lethal Soldier.