By Justin Creech
Staff Writer
Thursday, December 13, 2012

Garrison leadership is developing a resiliency training program for all in-processing military and civilian members on post.

As part of the initiative, selected personnel will become certified Master Resiliency Trainers (MRTs) and teach fellow employees methods towards becoming mentally stronger and healthier.

The program will proceed through three phases — first, MRT training; second, Initial Workforce Training; and finally, Continuation Training. The first phase is currently under way as Soldiers and civilians from across the garrison become certified MRTs.

Brian Zarchin, Fort Belvoir Headquarters Battalion commander, said the program will help the entire installation become more resilient.

“We’re partnering together as an installation to do this to ensure we get this right,” Zarchin said. “We’re working with the Department of the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier, Family and Fitness experts… to tailor what the Army has implemented at other locations to what best fits Fort Belvoir’s unique workforce.”

The first phase of the program, MRT training, consists of developing certified Master Resiliency Trainers amongst military and civilian personnel.

According to Sgt. Maj. James Devine, Headquarters Department of the Army Comprehensive Soldier, Family and Fitness senior enlisted advisor, MRTs spend 10 days learning skills and methods to help Soldiers, Family members and Army civilians to maximize their potential and face the physical and psychological challenges associated with work and personal life.

Zarchin said seven members of the garrison directorate are currently undergoing the training and Garrison Commander Gregory D. Gadson hopes to have at least one certified trainer in each garrison directorate and he also hopes partner organizations build their MRT base as well.

Directorates and partners should carefully select the right people to serve as MRT. MRTs should have great character and a passion for helping fellow employees.

Phase two of the process, Initial Workforce Training, will involve using the MRTs across the garrison to provide mandatory resiliency training to military and civilian personnel when they arrive on post. Zarchin said phase two will start in early 2013 and the training could potentially last two days.

“Implementing phase I will be a huge step forward and a significant victory for the program,” Zarchin said. “Taking it a step further is phase three which is the Continuation Training.”

The continuation phase will consist of MRT’s continual involvement within organizations to keep people resilient. Zarchin said continuation training should consist of non-standard physical fitness training such as the Military District of Washington Warrior Combatives program to help keep employees mentally and physically strong.

Zarchin also mentioned rehabilitating an abandoned obstacle course on Davison Army Airfield to help with continuation training.

“Leveraging an obstacle course for resiliency and leader development is not a new thing,” Zarchin said. “Rebuilding an obstacle course at Fort Belvoir will provide partners throughout MDW with an accessible tool.” Zarchin didn’t set a timetable for the initiation of the continuation training.

The battalion has already taken measures to ensure the resiliency of personnel within the unit. Zarchin and Command Sgt. Maj. Carolyn Reynolds have partnered with Col. William D. McGarrity, U.S. Army Air Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Reed Erickson, 12th Aviation Battalion commander to provide Soldiers professional development training.

During the last three months, battalion and 12th Aviation Soldiers have spent time learning about each other’s missions.

“The initiative that command sergeant major and I went after was really an effort to break up the monotony for our unit,” Zarchin said. “We wanted to break it up for them and do something that was different, to make it fun.”

Zarchin said the intermingling exposes both groups of Soldiers to a different unit on post.

“It’s a very mutual supporting process,” Zarchin said. “We’re all small parts of a big installation and Army and we all have something to offer one another.”

The Headquarters Battalion also adds creative flair to their pay day activities. Once a month, the unit gathers for competitive physical training, professional development sessions, award ceremonies and birthday recognitions.

“We do something different with each one of our pay day activities,” Reynolds said. “It works out great for our Soldiers.”

The objective is to professionally develop Soldiers and make them energized about their jobs, Zarchin said.

“If you’re excited about what you’re doing and if you love your job, you’re going to be resilient and ready,” Zarchin said.