How Data Can Drive Readiness and Lethality from The Boardroom to The Battlefield

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1530-1550
Location: Conference Room A-B / 1st Floor
Speaker: Maj. Scott McKeithen, DoD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO); Charles Baschnagel, PhD, Chief Data Scientist, Contract Support CDAO Health Portfolio

Description:
The DoD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) mission to maximize data sharing from the boardroom to the battlefield supports H2F’s mission to generate lethal Soldiers who are ready for engagement in multi-domain operations. To enhance the readiness and lethality of our Soldiers, the H2F enterprise can leverage analytic modeling and AI for predicting individual readiness and explaining the drivers of that readiness within their domains of control: physical, spiritual, mental, sleep, and nutritional readiness. This comprehensive understanding is further enriched when augmented with data across all Total Force Fitness domains: social, physical, environmental, medical and dental, spiritual, nutritional, psychological, and financial health.

Integrating Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) and Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1330-1350
Location: Conference Room A-B / 1st Floor
Speaker: MAJ Robert Carter, Medical Capability Development Integration Directorate (MED CDID)

Description:
The rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare, particularly in the contexts of Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) and Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), demands a reevaluation of soldier readiness and lethality. This proposal aims to present a comprehensive approach to integrating Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) within these challenging environments. The focus will be on how H2F can enhance soldier resilience, performance, and readiness, thereby contributing significantly to the overall effectiveness of LSCO and MDO strategies.

Optimizing Soldier Resilience and Performance through Collaborative Efforts: Bridging Services to Improve Individual and Unit Readiness

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1300-1320
Location: Room 108-109 / 1st Floor
Moderator: LTC Ben Bower, H2F Academy
Panelists:
Dr. Treva Anderson, Lead Performance Expert, Fort Jackson R2PC
CPT Chris Enke, 165th H2F Team
Ms. Emily Seaman, 193rd H2F Team

Description:
Optimizing Soldier readiness is a multifaceted challenge requiring a collaborative approach. This panel brings together representatives from the Fort Jackson Ready & Resilient Performance Center (R2PC), H2F Academy and 193rd and 165th IN Brigade H2F Teams to showcase their unique contributions and the synergistic impact of their coordinated efforts on the general and direct support of the Fort Jackson population. Attend this panel to witness the power of collaboration in building a comprehensive ecosystem for Soldier performance and resilience. Engage to learn best practices for building partnerships across diverse teams and how you can replicate and expand upon this successful model within your own units and contribute to the overall optimization of Soldier readiness across the Army.

Designing An Effective Physical Therapy/Injury Control Framework to Address Injury Prevention for both Trainees and Cadre

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1300-1320
Location: Main Ballroom / 2nd Floor
Speaker: CPT Francis Talty, PT, DPT
H2F Injury Control Director, 197th Infantry BDE, Fort Moore, GA

Description:
This presentation highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing injury control, given H2F’s dichotomous responsibility in the TRADOC environment. The 197th Infantry Brigade H2F team will review its framework, current initiatives, and foundations for success to tackle injury prevention within OSUT.

Spiritual Fitness: A Basic Approach to Unit Level Training

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1400-1420
Location: Room 106-107 / 1st Floor
Speaker: CH (CPT) David Woodward

Description:
What is the human component of the human weapon system? How do you integrate a HP system with this in mind and assess for highest priority needs? Then, how do you incorporate targeted intervention and training specific to highest priority need amongst a largely part-time, remote force? Applying the Military Demands Resource Model and unit training management to deliver METL based H2F training to National Guard soldiers during IDT weekend.

Barbells and the US Corps of Cadets

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1500-1530
Location: Conf Rm C-D / 1st Floor
Speaker: Mr. Gregory Hess, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, United States Military Academy

Description:
Detailing the utility and efficacy of basic barbell training within core and elective courses at USMA, while promoting H2F physical principles of precision, progression, and integration.   

42D MP BDE H2F Onboarding

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1530-1550
Location: Main Ballroom / 2nd Floor
Presenters: Dr. Brian Hatler, DPT, OCS, H2F Program Director, 42D MP BDE; LTC Eliza Szymanek, DPT, DSc, Injury Control Director, 42D MP BDE 

Description:
This presentation will summarize the H2F Soldier Onboarding Program at the 42D MP BDE. The mechanics of the H2F Onboarding Program will be reviewed, the results will be discussed, and the way forward debated.

A Leader Driven Approach to Developing a Mental Readiness H2F Program

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1330-1350
Location: Room 108-109 / 1st Floor
Speaker: CH (MAJ) Joshua Chittim, The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School 

Description:
As the Army implements H2F the focus has been embedding H2F Performance Teams at the BDE/BCT level. Unfortunately, many organizations in the Army do not have access to these embedded resources. For these organizations, leaders have the responsibility to foster a culture of H2F using the resources they have available. TJAGLCS is an example of this type of organization. This paper was presented to the JAG Corps Board of Directors outlining how TJAGLCS has implemented an H2F program using internal resources. We believe our efforts can be used as a template for other organizations whose leaders are struggling to implement H2F without the support of an H2F Performance Team.

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.

H2F: From Silo to System – Best Practices and Lessons Learned to Optimize Integration

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1530-1550
Location: Conference Room C-D / 1st Floor
Speakers: LTC Jolene Carlson, H2F Director, MNNG

Description:

A discussion highlighting best practices and lessons learned from the MNNG perspective.  

Key areas of focus include: 

* H2F Personnel Structure:  Building a Diverse Team

* H2F Partnerships:  It Takes a Tribe

* The Long Game – Sustainability of H2F

* H2F for the National Guard – The Civilian Servicemember 

Tactical Mobility Active Recovery & Mindfulness (TMAR-M) PT Session (Optional)

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 0730-0830
Location: Outside Terrace, Second Floor

Description:
Includes both tactical mobility (yoga) and a mindfulness session. If you do not have a yoga mat, we will have a limited amount available for the event. Please annotate your need for a mat when registering for the event.

Register:
  Email CPT Stephanie Meno at stephanie.e.meno.mil@army.mil to register for this event.

Heat Illness Prevention Resources for the H2F Professional

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1300-1320
Location: Conference Room A-B / 1st Floor
Speaker: LTC David DeGroot, Director, The Army Heat Center

Description:
There are ~500 cases of exertional heat stroke annually across the DoD and the most serious cases can lead to long-term disability or death. The Army Heat Center was created in 2019 with the mission to identify, develop and disseminate best practices for the prevention, treatment and return to duty of exertional heat illness casualties. While The Army Heat Center is located at Fort Moore GA, we provide support across the entire DoD.

The prevention of heat stroke casualties is relevant to H2F, particularly the physical domain and injury control. We have developed numerous resources to empower H2F professionals with the tools and knowledge to integrate heat illness prevention into their programs. It is important to note that many heat stroke casualties are associated with initial entry training or with testing to earn a badge or tab. Heat stroke is preventable!

Transforming P3T: A New Era in Army Pregnancy and Postpartum Fitness

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1400-1420
Location: Conference Room A-B / 1st Floor
Speaker: Ms. Kelsey Mathias, LEAD Training, LLC for CIMT

Description:
P3T is revolutionizing the landscape of pregnant and postpartum fitness by undergoing a comprehensive program modernization this year. The updated approach encompasses three key areas: the introduction of intentional programming, focused pelvic floor and core training, and the integration of all five domains of H2F.

Georgia Southern Tactical Performance Initiatives

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1430-1450
Location: Conference Room A-B / 1st Floor
Speakers: Dr. Nancy Henderson, Georgia Southern University; Dr. Joe Kardouni, Georgia Southern University

Description:
Georgia Southern University (GSU) has a robust tactical athlete program. The Soldier Performance and Readiness (SPAR) is the military wing and includes the Soldier Athlete Human Performance Optimization (SAHPO) and Tactical Athlete Certificate (TAC) programs. The SAHPO program is the University’s in-person educational model targeted towards 3rd Infantry Division soldiers, whereas the TAC program is a fully online educational model for soldiers. GSU faculty are currently collecting data in a large-scale research endeavor assessing which educational model (In-person, fully online, or a combination) is best used to educate soldiers on various injury prevention topics.

Future plans, beginning in the fall of 2024, include establishing a tactical athlete institute and developing a new continuing education course for soldiers.

GSU is currently forming a Tactical and Occupational Performance (TOP) Institute to address the health, fitness, and performance needs of tactical athletes. The TOP Institute will leverage the talent from multiple colleges within the university under centralized leadership and inform evidence-based health and fitness programs. This will include educational courses, research, and community engagement initiatives that support optimal health and fitness while actively soliciting and receiving feedback from service members and leaders to drive innovation and translational research. This will create a system for designing, developing, and implementing training programs that can seamlessly sync with the efforts of Department of Defense labs, military human performance professionals, and operational units at any echelon.

How to Efficiently Use Each Team Member of an H2F Team for Interdisciplinary and GS- MIL Collaboration

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1500-1520
Location: Conference Room A-B / 1st Floor
Speaker: Mr. Mitchell Depner, 1-2 SBCT, H2F JBLM

Description:
Large Brigade, Huge Team Effort. How to Efficiently use every team member in the BDE to develop H2F Machine. H2F and Green Suit on same team. Presentation will showcase how to use H2F, NCO’s, Unit leadership to treat and train every solider in the BDE.

Nutrition, Immune Function, and Infectious Disease in Military Personnel

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1300-1320
Location: Conference Room C-D / 1st Floor
Speaker: Dr. Tracey Smith, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Description:
Consuming a diet that meets energy demands and provides essential nutrients promotes a healthy immune system, while both under- and over-nutrition have been associated with immune dysfunction. Military personnel comprise a unique population who frequently endure multi-stressor environments, predisposing them to immune decrements. Additionally, 49% and 22% of active duty U.S. military personnel are classified as overweight and obese, respectively. Military personnel experiencing either under- or over-nutrition can suffer from degraded health, readiness, and performance. Insufficient intake of nutrients during military operations increases infection risk and negatively impacts infection recovery. Energy, protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins C and D are nutritional areas of concern that may impact immune competence in a multi-stressor environment. Further, over-nutrition can promote accretion of excess body fat and obesity, which contributes to a chronic inflammatory state that coincides with immune impairments. This presentation will discuss nutritional concerns concomitant to multi-stressor environments that impact immune function; the relevance of obesity to infectious disease risk in the military population; and, prioritizing efforts to optimize nutrient intake is one approach for reducing disease burden and improving readiness.

Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Recovery and Accelerating Return-to-Duty after Musculoskeletal Injury

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1330-1350
Location: Conference Room C-D / 1st Floor
Speaker: Dr. Emily Howard, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Description:
Warfighters sustain musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) because of the significant occupational demands of physical training and combat operations. Injury-related impairments in physical performance limit the ability to train, compromise Warfighter readiness, and make Warfighters non-deployable. MSKI requiring surgery and/or limb immobilization (e.g., anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, bone fractures, joint dislocation, stress fracture) are especially detrimental given the rapid loss of muscle mass and function that results from decreased muscle loading and activation post-injury. Recovery from these MSKI often requires extensive rehabilitation to restore muscle mass and physical performance to levels required of full duty status, with many Warfighters experiencing post-injury restrictions even after extensive rehabilitation. Developing targeted recovery solutions that support return-to-duty is therefore essential for Warfighters that do sustain injuries.

Elevating Tactical Nutrition: A Model for Planning, Programming, and Evaluating H2F Nutrition Initiatives

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1400-1420
Location: Conference Room C-D / 1st Floor
Speaker: Mr. Anthony Paradis, Ft. Jackson 165 BDE H2F Program

Description:
Nutritional readiness is a challenging domain to measure return-on-investment and increase mid-level utilization. With limited current key performance indicators (KPI) such as ACFT scores and body composition, the H2F nutrition domains can improve planning, assessment, and evaluation of their program by incorporating a deeper approach to data gathering and marketing. This session will educate participants with program updates and lessons learned from the first H2F TRADOC program with a centralized SPRC.

Topics covered in this presentation will include a Ft. Jackson 165th BDE nutrition program update, an overview of program planning and evaluation, short-term and mid-term level evaluation to support long-term KPIs, and marketing fundamentals in improve mid-level Army utilization.

Participants of this session will achieve the following learning outcomes:
1. Identify key initiatives that helped to improve data evaluation and improve utilization with the 165th BDE.
2. Understand the principles of using a logic model for program creation, planning, and evaluation.
3. Evaluate the initiatives used in the 165th BDE against participants’ program needs and create initiatives that serve their programs.
4. Define the components of a marketing funnel and a Gantt chart and create a systemized approach to marketing their own H2F program services.

Preventing, Assessing, and Treating Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency (RED) in Soldiers

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1430-1450
Location: Conference Room C-D / 1st Floor
Speakers: CPT Maria Stukenborg, H2F, 62nd Medical Brigade, JBLM; Ms. Priscilla Rumph, 1-2 SBCT, H2F JBLM

Description:
Many recruits join the Army with a variety of nutrition concerns that are not adequately addressed with the historical Army medical nutrition intervention model which lacks the holistic health and performance nutrition aspects necessary to optimize the modern human weapon system. Some common nutrition problems that impact soldiers are low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency (RED). Research has shown that LEA and RED increase risk of injury, decrease physical and cognitive performance, and decrease overall medical readiness. We have adapted the current athlete guidance to better align with the needs of soldiers in the tactical Army environment. Attendees of this presentation will learn the most current guidance for the prevention, assessment and treatment of LEA and RED.

Heat Illness Prevention Through a Common Sense Strategy and an ORS

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1500-1520
Location: Conference Room C-D / 1st Floor
Speakers: Mr. Fernando Montes, Los Angeles County Fire Department

Description:
This presentation is based on 9 plus years of hydration data using a collection of science, education and practical application have reduced exertional heat illnesses by 98%. I have over four decades of working in the human performance domain. I have worked in the TRHOR3 program, supported physiological training in the Naval Special Warfare arena and have continued to speak all over the county on this very topic.

Spiritual Performance: An Essential and Measurable Domain for Human Performance Optimization

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1300-1320
Location: Room 106-107 / 1st Floor
Speaker: CH (MAJ) Bryan Hedrick, Natick Soldier Systems Center

Description:
Spirituality is notoriously difficult to measure and even more difficult to coach/mentor across the pluralistic environment of the U.S. Army within the H2F paradigm. This is mostly because there are limited validated and reliable metrics available to professionals within the spiritual domain. The Spiritual Performance Matrix is a recently validated instrument that is specifically designed for the human performance context. It provides UMTs, commanders, and Soldiers with a short, reliable, valid tool that can be taken, scored, and provide feedback in minutes for the individual with actionable results to improve in this vital H2F domain. The simplicity of the tool requires limited training on how to implement and the supporting spiritual performance categories for training enable the administrator to quickly provide actionable training plans for spiritual performance growth.

Spiritual Wellness: A Foundation for Health and Fitness

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1330-1350
Location: Room 106-107 / 1st Floor
Speaker: CH (COL) Brandon Moore, Chief of Chaplains Office DACH-REC

Description:
I saw a gap in our capabilities during my assignment as Command Chaplain for 1st Special Forces Command (A). USASOC has the HPW (Human Performance and Wellness), the SOF version of H2F. We had professional strength coaches and other professionals. I was in charge of 52 Chaplains, and all were doing great things, but there was no unified program to strengthen the “Spiritual Core” or “Soul.” Building on the work of Dr. Lisa Miller (Columbia U) and others, I developed and implemented the Spiritual Performance Guide (SPG) as well as various Spiritual Performance Plans (SPP) that could be tailored and updated by SMs to align with their “Soul Goals.”

Current State of Commercial Human Performance Technologies for Monitoring Soldier Physical Attributes, Workload, Sleep, and Recovery

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1500-1520
Location: Room 106-107 / 1st Floor
Speaker: Dr. Joshua Hagen, The Ohio State University

Description:
Consumer wearable devices are now a multi-billion dollar industry and offer much promise on impacting health, wellness, and performance of the Soldier. Even more advanced human performance (HP) technologies such as force plates, body composition devices, hydration sensors etc. are now commonplace in both military and athletics environments. However, with the influx of commercial technologies comes risk of understanding not only what to use for what purpose, but what is the overall accuracy and reliability of these technologies?

This presentation will cover key results from the multi-year ongoing collaboration between the Air Force Research Laboratory and The Ohio State University in “Gold Standard Validation Studies”, aimed at rapidly and scientifically assessing and reporting accuracy of commercial HP technologies for DoD applications. Specific technology areas that will be covered will be wearable devices for heart rate monitoring, heart rate variability, pulse oximetry, external movement, caloric expenditure, and VO2 max estimation. Additional technology areas will also include devices for hydration monitoring, body composition, and movement analysis.

The overall goal is to give the H2F audience a current snapshot of commercial device accuracy for technologies that could likely add value to the Physical, Mental, Nutrition, and Sleep domains of H2F, when selected and utilized correctly.

Sleep Leader Guides: Tools to Optimize Sleep and Manage Fatigue

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1530-1550
Location: Room 106-107 / 1st Floor
Speaker: Ms. Camila Almeida, USU/CHAMP

Description:
Sleep is essential to military health, wellness, and performance. Yet, 69% to 72% of Service Members report sleeping less than 6 hours per night. Recent research studies have provided valuable information on sleep readiness optimization and operational fatigue management. However, effective education efforts translating science into actionable strategies remain limited. Participants will gain valuable evidence-based knowledge to optimize their sleep readiness and learn how to employ educational tools to become force multipliers and assist other Service Members effectively.

Looking Beyond Jenga Blocks and Brain Games: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Building Cognitive Lethality Within Special Operations

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1430-1450
Location: Room 108-109 / 1st Floor
Speaker: Mr. John Sim, Office of the Army Surgeon General

Description:
This presentation will address two distinct problems:
1. How can you train soldiers for mental readiness? Specifically, what are the qualitative/quantitative impacts of cognitive performance coaching on soldier performance and health?
2. How do you best utilize a multi-disciplinary, human performance team for a tactical population that is frequently deployed and/or on the road?

During 2020-2021, I served as the Human Performance Advisor for 1st CIG, USASOC, as part of SOCOM’s POTFF contract. During this time, my team developed an in-house pilot study to observe and measure the impact of a remote Human Performance (HP) program, with specific emphasis on Mental Performance Optimization (MPO). Our findings showed that on average, participants who completed the program showed improvements in areas of cognitive performance.

Volunteers underwent an initial assessment that consisted of a self-reported baseline survey to gauge health factors, a Heart Rate Variability (HRV) test, a body composition test, a Neurotracker test, and an ACFT (integrated with cognitive testing components). Each participant was then paired with separate members of the HP team to receive a custom training program for nine weeks, based on their individual goals and requirements. Upon completion of the nine-week training program, all participants underwent a final assessment for pre/post test comparison.

Exploring the Potential of Wearable Sensor Technology for Behavioral Health

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1500-1520
Location: Room 108-109 / 1st Floor
Speaker: Dr. Madhavi Reddy, The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Description:
Resilience is a protective factor in mitigating military mental health concerns, but measurement of resilience is typically based on subjective reports and is therefore, susceptible to biases, which justifies the need for objective biomarkers of resilience. Therefore, wearable sensors (LifeLens device) that measure an array of physiological metrics may be harnessed in order to provide a real time monitoring solution in theater and in garrison for stress and resilience of military personnel. To test the suitability of this wearable sensor system for broad military operational use, advanced development is required to translate priorities into a fieldable system that is ready for acquisition. Thus, the current project aims to conduct a naturalistic evaluation to assess the capability of the wearable sensor system to accurately monitor stress, resilience, and end-user comfort. The current evaluation has conducted surveys and focus groups to gather quantitative and qualitative (mixed-methods) feedback about the wearable sensor technology and subjective reports of stress and resilience. Behavioral health algorithms are being developed that would help assess needs of soldiers and potentially assist in all roles of care. The proposed presentation would discuss the specific results of our evaluation along with how wearable devices can be implemented into operational and garrison use.

Optimizing Brain Health, Resilience, and Operational Performance through Synergistic Applied Research Efforts between the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-West and the Holistic Health and Fitness program

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1530-1550
Location: Room 108-109 / 1st Floor
Speaker: Dr. Bradley Fawver, The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – West

Description:
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-West (WRAIR-W; JBLM, WA) conducts research and delivers solutions to optimize brain health, increase resilience, mitigate operational stress, and maximize performance of our Service members. In addition to conducting DoD-funded projects, we support the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program at JBLM through applied research consultation across our various psychological, health, and performance portfolios. WRAIR-W’s performance optimization initiatives include evaluating brain-endurance training solutions (combined cognitive and physical exercise) for enhancing Service member resilience to stress and fatigue, as well as other neuromodulation and psychological skills tools during physical training. This work extends to novel simulated marksmanship scenarios our teams have developed and validated for use across JBLM by H2F staff and operational units. We also spearhead several musculoskeletal injury prevention and recovery efforts with our H2F partners, such as developing screening tools for injury risk, interventions to close the gap between physical and psychological recovery, evaluations of pregnancy and post-partum physical training (P3T), and H2F readiness pillar assessment tools. From a psychological health perspective, WRAIR-W has several funded projects and consultation efforts with both the Madigan Army Medical Center and operational units at JBLM to understand factors related to – and mitigation strategies for – post-traumatic stress, suicidality, and pain, as well as pharmaceutical solutions to address deleterious behavioral health conditions. These and other efforts at JBLM have demonstrated how a symbiotic relationship between science and practice can provide data-driven solutions that directly benefit the Warfighter through the next generation of surveillance, training, and treatment applications.

BeaverFit Fitness Session

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 0630-0730
Location: Parking Lot at Hall A Entrance

Description:
Join BeaverFit for an outdoor workout at 6:30 a.m. May 1 in the parking lot at Hall A entrance. Get your blood flowing with a morning workout at the 12’ Beyond Trailer, a mobile gym on wheels. No signup required, just show up ready to get #DamStrong.

The High Achievement Project: A Spiritual Readiness Model for Leaders

Date: Wed 01 May
Time: 1430-1450
Location: Room 106-107 / 1st Floor
Speaker: MSG Eric Tysinger

Description:
The High Achievement Project is an allegorical, video-based series designed to help Soldiers and Families navigate the ups and downs of life and live for a worthy cause. Designed to focus on four areas (leadership, squads, families, and souls), The High Achievement Project follows a high-altitude climbing team from U.S. Army Alaska and the 11th Airborne Division as they make their way up to summit Denali, North America’s highest peak. As squad members watch the raw footage of this journey, which is easily accessible on both YouTube and DVIDs, they are able to hear Soldier interviews and subject matter expert dialogue. Along the way, the video pauses at seven “camps” to pose spiritual readiness challenge questions at increasing levels of depth for group discussion designed to facilitate sharing of values and how they apply them to overcome times of stress, hardship, and tragedy. There is no correct answer to these questions (which focus on hope, meaning, purpose, and identity in accordance with FM 7-22, Chapter 10), but the raw footage combined with group discussion expands Soldier’s understanding of what spirituality is and how they can incorporate it into their lives. These discussions integrate group physical activity either before, after, or during the training to infuse the information with concrete experiences. As squad leaders and Soldiers share their own spiritual readiness ideas and practices, they learn more about each other and forge a more cohesive and resilient team.

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.