Slide 1
A Soldier who is emotionally fit approaches life's challenges in
a positive, optimistic way by demonstrating self-regulation,
stamina and good character with their choices and actions
A Soldier should demonstrate standards, discipline and
INTEGRITY
Soldiers who are emotionally fit are aware of their feelings and
emotions and seek balance
Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustWhat is Emotional
Fitness?Leader: Discuss these expectations with your Soldiers
1People have hopes, fears, concerns and dreams; a Soldiers
self-regulation, balance, and stability greatly influence their
ability to interact with others
Self-Regulation - regulate impulses, emotions and behaviors to
achieve goals
Balance knowing how to balance the stressors of life and convey
emotions appropriately
Stability - calm and rational under pressureEmotional (Self
Regulation) - AugustComponents of Emotional FitnessLeader: Discuss
these expectations with your Soldiers
An unbalanced Soldier exhibits inappropriate anger or
frustration, avoids close relationships, shuts out Family and
friends and often finds escapes through unhealthy habits. An
emotionally unhealthy Soldier:
has difficulty maintaining unit and Soldier responsibilities
abuses drugs or alcohol to numb feelings or to feel normal avoids
Family, friends and unit activities and is isolated has angry or
other emotional outbursts engages in unhealthy habits that can be
self-destructive is continually depressed has difficulty with
intimacy
Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustUnhealthy Emotional Fitness
BehaviorsLeader: Review unhealthy behaviors with your Soldiers
SPC Wesson is at Camp Smith doing weapons qualification. This is
the last day that his unit is on the range and he has yet to
qualify. He has never had issues qualifying in the past, and he
normally qualifies sharpshooter. His squad leader has done PMI with
him multiple times but he has been making different errors in each
iteration. While he understands the fundamentals, he is noticeably
anxious and is having problems concentrating. He approaches his
squad leader and says that he doesnt want to go again because he is
just going to fail.
Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustUnhealthy Emotional Fitness
ScenarioLeader: Read the following scenario
Bottom Line Up Front: Soldiers may experience many stressors but
ultimately still have a job to do. Negative emotions can make you
lose focus and detract from your performance. Mental Games is a
skill that can be used to help you stay task focused.
Mental Games are used to compartmentalize or distract you from
counter productive thinking by engaging your attention in fun and
challenging games or techniques. It is a quick solution when your
thoughts are circling at a time when you need to perform. Emotional
(Self Regulation) - AugustScenario The ProblemLeader: Ask your
Soldiers what they perceive the problem to be and how they would
help (discuss for 2 minutes)
Mental Games require your full attention, must be hard and fun
and should be games or techniques you can do within a few minutes.
Below are some examples:
Math games (ex. Count back from 1000 by 7s)Alphabet games (ex.
Work your way through the alphabet naming someone for each pair of
initials. AB = Alec Baldwin BC= Billy Crystal)Category Names (ex.
Name all the sports figures, war heroes etc that you can in 2
minutes.)Repeat the army alphabet backwardsRecite upbeat song
lyricsPositive imagery and breathing techniques
Page 6Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustScenario Mental
GamesLeader: Discuss some things that SPC Wesson can do to get his
mind back into the qualification. What are some things that work
for SPC Wesson?
Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustSelf RegulationThe skill of
Mental Games builds upon the competency of self regulation by
diverting counter productive thoughts so that you can perform at a
peak mental level.
When confronted with stress, we often lose the ability to remain
objective. Regulating your impulses, emotions and behaviors allows
you slow down and stay in control.
Being in control is important in both the Army and your personal
life.
Leader: Discuss with the group what other resilience skills
might help SPC Wesson, or what other strategies could help him
succeed. Hunt the good stuff: Positive people think positively.
Focusing on positive experiences leads to an optimistic way of
thinking. Encourage your Soldiers to share a positive experience
that they have had since last drill. (Open discussion)
What can you do as a Battle Buddy to help SPC Wesson?Talk to him
to calm him down and help him do mental games to get his mind off
of negative outcomes.What can you do as a leader to help SPC
Wesson?Speak with SPC Wesson to find out if there are underlying
issues that are distracting him.Distract him with another task so
he has time to refocus.Remember ACE * (any stressful situation can
lead to suicidal behavior)Ask what you can do to assist the Soldier
in succeeding.Care enough to listen and provide support.Escort the
Soldier to resources or be one yourself as a positive
influence.
DO YOU HAVE AN ACE CARD?*The ACE process guides us to assist the
Soldier. Have the courage to act on behalf of a fellow Soldier.
Never assume that everything is good to go until you have
checked.Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustScenario Battle Buddy
AidLeader: Ask about responsibility of Battle Buddies and how they
can assist in the situation and review ACE
A Soldier who exhibits healthy emotions has a sense of balance,
stability and self-control which leads to happiness and
contentment. An emotionally healthy Soldier:has healthy outlets for
stresscopes with stressful social situationshas a good support
networkis physically well feels good about his or herselfseeks
balanceis confident and has RESPECT for othersgravitates toward the
positive side of lifeis proud to be a Soldier in the GuardEmotional
(Self Regulation) - AugustHealthy Emotional Fitness
BehaviorsLeader: Ask your Soldiers to think of good emotional
fitness habits
Emotional (Self Regulation) - AugustAvailable ResourcesLeader:
Reviews available resources and remind Soldiers that seeking them
is not a sign of weakness but part of fitnessNYARNG Family Programs
Office, (877)715-7817 or www.dmna.state.ny.us/familyDirector of
Psychological Health (DPH), (518)396-8993Military Family Life
Consultant (MFLC), (518)925-4302Military OneSource (NYARNG
Representative), (518)265-2901Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
(SARC), (518)786-4734State Chaplains Office, (518)461-2527Military
OneSource, (800)342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.com Vets4Warriors
peer support line, (855)838-8255 / (855)VET-TALK,
http://www.vets4warriors.com/