FORT KNOX, Ky. –
The U.S. Army recruiting command surgeon hosted the first iteration of a wellness workshop, which included events centered on mental health and resiliency. Nature hiking, yoga, stress management, and sleep hygiene were some of the events hosted during the workshop. Participants also volunteered at the Hardin County Animal Shelter for a morning class trip.
The workshop was comprised of mainly recruiting NCOs and a few officers from the local area to garner feedback for future iterations. The focus of the workshop events was to not only build resiliency in the attendees, but to train them in different methods of building resiliency for themselves, their families and their fellow Soldiers.
Courses were chosen based on proven and sound techniques which build up resiliency and mental toughness. Students participate in didactic as well as action-based classes, learning the physical, psychological, and emotional factors achieved through these classes.
According to Lt. Col. Julie Akiyama, U.S. Army Recruiting Command psychologist and deputy command Surgeon, these types of workshops are important to the Army because of the “aim to build a stronger force.”
A second workshop is in the plans for January 2022 with a target population of key leaders across USAREC. Akiyama explained that “the he support and influence of key leaders is crucial to ensuring that resiliency and resiliency training is prioritized across the force, and not just at the HHC level.”