Rebecca Lynne Farmer

Ready and Resilient Support to the 2017 DoD Warrior Games 1 What is Warrior Games? • Started in 2010, Warrior Games is a Paralympic-style sport competition for wounded, ill, or injured Service Members and Veterans • • • Includes eight team and individual adaptive sports: • • • • • • • • • Athletes represent the Army, Navy/Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations Command Athletes representing the British Armed Forces participated in the 2012 and 2013 Warrior Games Archery Cycling Shooting Sitting Volleyball Swimming Track Field Wheelchair Basketball Highlights from the 2013 Warrior Games (video) 2 CSF2 History of Army Warrior Games Support • 2010 – – • 2011 – – – • Pre-Games Mental Skills Training (MST) completed by >70% of Army team Staff integrated into “Triad of Competition”, along with Coach and Medical Personnel Team building activities for all Army teams 2012 – – – – • 3 staff attended Worked with athletes on sidelines during competition; were available to and did assist athletes from all branches of service Pre-Games MST completed by ~100% of Army team CSF2 TC staff built into selection camp process Instituted a holistic approach to reflect six domains of the CTP, not just sports. Team building activities for all Army teams. 2013 to present – – – – Pre-Games MST completed by 100% of Army team candidates at camps CSF2 TC staff coverage throughout camp and Warrior Games process Maintained holistic approach and offered distance training (telephonic, etc.). Team building activities for all Army teams. 3 How does R2 support Warrior Games? • Every Soldier in the WTU receives performance training at their WTU, delivered by local Master Resilience Trainer – Performance Experts (MRT-PE) • • • One MRT-PE is assigned to each Warrior Games sport and provides tailored assistance to athletes to apply performance and resilience skills to their sport performances • • • Sixteen (16) hours of performance enhancement classroom training is a Comprehensive Transition Plan requirement (Phase II Goal Setting) MRT-PEs also provide performance and resilience training support to Adaptive Reconditioning activities (including Adaptive Sports) MRT-PEs provide individual mastery support to Soldiers preparing for the Games in person and virtually, as requested by the athletes MRT-PEs provide team and individual support during all selection and training camps, in addition to their support to the Games MRT-PEs conduct team building exercises to build cohesion and promote communication within the entire Army Warrior Games team, including staff and cadre 4 R2 Warrior Games Team Selection Process • MRT-PEs complete an online application and telephone interview that assesses their experience with: • • • • • MRT-PEs are also asked to identify: • • • WTU training (classroom instruction) WTU Adaptive Reconditioning support Other adaptive sports (outside of their support to the Army) Other relevant sport experience Self-development goals for their participation Strategies for mentorship & MRT-PE team development In addition to the application, consideration is given to: • • • • MRT progression Local TC priorities/needs Unique staff development opportunities Mentorship/leadership capabilities 5 R2 Objectives Training: • Empower Army athletes to achieve their best athletic performances through the practice and application of resilience and performance skills and techniques, building on the training the PEs taught the athletes at the Army Trials. • Provide the athletes with context and strategies to use performance and resilience skills in their transitions and daily lives. Strategic Communication: • Leverage the Army Trials and Warrior Games to increase awareness of R2 capabilities as they relate to optimization of human performance. • Reach a broader audience about Ready and Resilient, the importance of resilience and performance training as they relate to readiness. 6 2017 R2 Staff STRATCOM Daisy Johnson R2 Lead Becky Farmer Lead MRT-PE AJ Pacheco SVB Kelsey Erlenbaugh WCBB Brett Sandwick Shooting Heather Hassinger Cycling Eric Turnbaugh Lead MRT-PE Shawn Saylors Track Laura Kirschner Archery Ashley Rencher Swimming Tori Creech Field Abby Bilyk 7 2017 Warrior Games Events • Army Trials – Hosted by Fort Bliss, TX – 26 March – 06 April, 2017 • DoD Warrior Games – Hosted by the US Navy in Chicago, IL – 27 June - 07 July 2017 8 MRT-PE Army Trials Support • Year-Round: Provide support to adaptive reconditioning and adaptive sport activities via the local Warrior Transition Unit. • Prior to the Army Trials • Learn about assigned sport • Develop brief, informational demonstration and exercise in order to introduce athletes and athletic coaches to the MRT-PE team. • Develop athlete and cadre workshop to introduce and/or reinforce performance and resilience skills • Reach out to athletic coaches, if contact info is available • At the Army Trials • Execute informational demo and exercise, establish role of MRT-PE to each athletic team. • Develop rapport and training plan, in conjunction with athletic coaches. • Provide resilience and performance instruction, and in-the-moment coaching for athletes • Execute Mental Skills workshop at Army Trials • Provide moral support at events other than assigned sports • Educate DVs and other guests about resilience and performance training support to the Comprehensive Transition Plan, Adaptive Sport, and the Army Trials and Warrior Games 9 MRT-PE Warrior Games Support • Between the Army Trials and Warrior Games • Provide continuity to athletes via in-person or social media. • Provide individual athletes skills reinforcement and mastery either in person or virtually. • Dr. Eric Turnbaugh worked weekly with COL Michael Malone on Energy Management, Routines, and Imagery • Laura Kirschner leveraged Facebook Messenger to track athletes • Develop brief to reorient the cadres, athletes, and coaches to the role of the PEs and skills they will reinforce during the Games • At the Warrior Games • Provide athletes at the individual and team level resilience and performance skills and techniques that complement the athletic coach’s goals for practice • Provide individual athletes support as needed – the Warrior Games is stressful for myriad reasons, and personal support is critical • Assist other PEs in application of skills at competition events • Interact with DVs in a knowledgeable, succinct manner. 10 What does support look like? MRT-PE Shawn Saylors providing info brief and demo to Army Trials athletes, coaches, and staff MRT-PE Eric Turnbaugh uses EmWave to help cycling athlete with energy management techniques. Swim coach Atiba Wade stands before Swimming Cue Words flip charts Army Trials athletes complete performance plans during Mental Gauntlet workshop 11 What does support look like? MRT-PE Shawn Saylors providing info brief and demo to Army Trials athletes, coaches, and staff MRT-PE Eric Turnbaugh provides lastminute skills reinforcement to cyclists as they approach the starting line. MRT-PE Laura Kirschner has Warrior Games athletes discuss their “why” for competing, develops reminders for them. MRT-PE Ashley Rencher provides individual resilience support to athlete before he fires his arrows. 12 2017 Warrior Games STRATCOM Objectives: • Leverage the Army Trials and Warrior Games to increase awareness of R2 capabilities as they relate to optimization of human performance. • Reach a broader audience about Ready and Resilient, the importance of resilience and performance training as they relate to readiness. Method: • Develop Public Affairs guidance and train each MRT-PE in order for them to speak succinctly, accurately, and on-message. • Post frequently to R2 social media, tagging stakeholder organizations to ensure reach. • Leverage DoD writers to tell our story, garnering added credibility of thirdparty reporting. • Time permitting, write article about Trials and Games from R2 perspective. 13 2017 Warrior Games STRATCOM Results Social Media: 40 Facebook Posts & 67 Tweets, resulting in 146,706 impressions, and 2677 engagements . Earned Media • April 2, 2017: Resilience and Performance Experts help athletes ‘get their mind in the game’ at Army Trials 2017 • April 17, 2017: Mental Gauntlet prepares athletes for Army Trials competition • July 11, 2017: Master Resilience Trainers Help Soldiers Compete at Warrior Games Senior Leader Engagements Mr. Tom Thomas, Texas CASA Dr. Rory Cooper, Pennsylvania CASA Maj. Gen. Garrett Yee, Acting Director of Cybersecurity Office of the CIO/G-6 Ms. Karen Conlin, Virginia CASA Gen. James McConville, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Karl F. Schneider, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of the Army Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey 14 2017 Testimonials and Feedback Athlete survey feedback: “The technique that benefited me the most was when the mental skills coach continued to remind me to set my goal and stay with it. She was AWESOME!” “I loved Laura big time. When the track coach [screwed] up everything Laura understood and got me back focused and ready to compete. If I had the money I'd hire her full time for all of my other endeavors!” “I think that everything my resilience coach Heather taught me has helped me improve 100% the last 2 years. She has been fantastic! Heather is great at her job, and cares about the Vets and their families, not what she's going to get out of it.” “I can't express how much support and help they give. No matter what you are feeling it what the situation is they can turn everything around in a few steps.” Individual testimonials: “I can tell my shooters to be focused and to stay strong mentally but the CSF2 people can explain it and lead them down the correct path, because they have more knowledge and tools to help these athletes remain mentally tough and focused we as coaches, do not. –Scotty Hasting, Archery Coach “I still have and use my Goal Setting notebook from 2012. There is value in what CSF2 does, and Warrior Care and Transition needs to incorporate it more deliberately at the Army Trials and Warrior Games.” – Colonel Daniel Dudek, 2017 Team Army athlete 15 Lessons Learned Sustain: • Close collaboration with WCT Staff • Branded shirts for ARD staff • Engagement of MRT-PEs at sport practices and competition events aside from their own. • PAG Training • MRT-PE autonomy to be creative in instruction and application of mental skills for athletes • Incorporation of returning MRT-PEs in a lead role Improve: • Conduct warm handoff of Warrior Games athletes stationed with each Training Center. • Push harder with WCT staff for dedicated time at the Army Trials and Warrior Games for mental skills workshop. • Schedule a separate meeting or workshop among the athletic coaches, WCT staff and cadre, and MRT-PEs in order to gain buy-in and understanding of MRT-PEs’ role at the Army Trials and Warrior Games 16 Backup Slides 17 Army Trials and Warrior Games Earned Media May 13, 2013: CSF2 Performance Enhancement Training is on target for Army's Warrior Games shooting team https://www.army.mil/article/103187/CSF2_Performance_Enhancement_Training_is_on_target_for_Army_s _Warrior_Games_shooting_team September 8, 2014: Warrior Games 2014 http://www.fortcampbellcourier.com/sports/article_d24fb9a8-3ecf-11e4-af4c-e75ffb50126b.html September 30, 2014: With 'Some Oomph,' Warrior Games Cyclists Overcome as a Team https://www.dvidshub.net/news/143819/with-some-oomph-warrior-games-cyclists-overcome-team November 13, 2014: Post athletes win medals at Warrior Games http://www.riley.army.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/554204/post-athletes-win-medals-at-warrior-games/ March 26, 2015: Army Trials athletes receive tools, skills to help set goals and succeed through transition https://www.army.mil/article/145293 April 1, 2015: Resilience, Performance expert builds trust among Soldier Athletes preparing for Army Trials https://www.army.mil/article/145600 April 1, 2015: Army takes holistic approach to training during Army Trials https://www.army.mil/article/145639 June 12, 2015: Fort Gordon Soldier competes in Warrior Games http://m.fortgordonglobe.com/news/-/News_Update/Fort_Gordon_Soldier_competes_in_Warrior_Games.html 18 Army Trials and Warrior Games Earned Media March 3, 2016: Army Trials athletes learn to manage energy, increase mental focus https://www.army.mil/article/163453/army_trials_athletes_learn_to_manage_energy_increase_mental_focus March 3, 2016: Fitness trainer to support Army team trials http://www.nwguardian.com/2016/03/03/24246/fitness-trainer-to-support-army.html March 4, 2016: Army Trials athletes receive tips, strategies to help with transition https://www.army.mil/article/163584/Army_Trials_athletes_receive_tips__strategies_to_help_with_transition July 12, 2016: 'Whys' propel DOD Warrior Games athletes through competition, life https://www.army.mil/article/171380 April 2, 2017: Resilience and Performance Experts help athletes ‘get their mind in the game’ at Army Trials 2017 https://www.army.mil/article/185320/resilience_and_performance_experts_help_athletes_get_their_mind_in _the_game_at_army_trials_2017 April 17, 2017: Mental Gauntlet prepares athletes for Army Trials competition https://www.army.mil/article/186180 July 11, 2017: Master Resilience Trainers Help Soldiers Compete at Warrior Games https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/-/master-resilience-trainers-help-soldiers-compete-atwarrior-games/ 19 Warrior Games Schedule 0700 – Formation Daily Date Time Event Location 27 June All Day PEs Arrive Residence Inn 28 June All Day Athletes Arrive PE Recon of all locations Training planning and coordination meeting Team Dinner Chicago 29 June TIME TBD All Day- Team Army Welcome Brief Athlete Classification Sitting Volleyball Practice Shooting Practice Wheelchair Basketball Practice Shooting Practice - Shooting Tournament Track Practice Archery Practice Sitting Volleyball Tournament Track Practice Archery Practice Wheelchair Basketball Tournament McCormick Place – Lakeside Lane Tech Academy McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside Lane Tech Academy McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside DVs: BG Raymond Dingle CSM Matthew Brady* Mr. Ernie Williams* Deputy CoS, G-3/5/7 CSM, Regional Health Command- Atlantic ACoS, Warrior Transition, Regional Health CommandPacific 30 June Practices at McCormick Place – Lakeside Center Center Center Center Center Center *DVs present throughout the remainder of the Warrior Games 20 Warrior Games Schedule 0700 – Formation Daily Date Time Event Location 01 July - Track Practice Archery Practice Shooting Tournament Sitting Volleyball Tournament Track Practice Archery Practice Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Lane Tech Academy McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside Lane Tech Academy McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside - Opening Ceremony Soldier Field DVs Mr. Karl Schneider GEN Joseph Lengel LTG Gwendolyn Bingham BG Raymond Dingle Dr. Rory Cooper* Acting Undersecretary of the Army Chief, National Guard Bureau ACoS, IMCOM Deputy CoS, G-3/5/7 PA CASA, Senior Research Scientist , U of Pitt. - Archery Practice Shooting Practice Sitting Volleyball Practice Archery Practice Track Competition Wheelchair Basketball Practice McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside McCormick Place – Lakeside Lane Tech Academy McCormick Place – Lakeside DVs Mr. Karl Schneider Ms. Karen Conlin BG Raymond Dingle Acting Undersecretary of the Army VA CASA Deputy CoS, G-3/5/7 02 July Center Center Center Center Center Center Center Center Center Center *DVs present throughout the remainder of the Warrior Games 21 Warrior Games Schedule Date Time Event Location 03 July - Field Practice Cycling Practice Shooting Practice Wheelchair Basketball Practice Sitting Volleyball Practice Archery Practice Cycling Practice Archery Competition Soldier Field Museum Campus McCormick Place – Lakeside Center McCormick Place – Lakeside Center McCormick Place – Lakeside Center McCormick Place – Lakeside Center Museum Campus McCormick Place – Lakeside Center DVs LTG Nadia West Ms. Karen Conlin MG Garrett Yee BG Raymond Dingle TASG VA CASA Army CIO/G-6 DCoS G-3/5/7 04 July 1320 CUBS GAME Wrigley Field  05 July - Cycling Course Brief Field Competition Transition Fair Swim Practice Swim Practice Museum Campus Soldier Field Soldier Field UIL-Chicago UIL-Chicago DVs SMA Dan Dailey Ms. Karen Conlin MG David Wilmot BG Eric Torring Sergeant Major of the Army VA CASA Deputy Surgeon General, Army National Guard Deputy CG, Regional Health Command-Atlantic, Chief, US Army Veterinary Corps Program Executive Office, Soldier BG Brian Cummings 22 Warrior Games Schedule Date Time Event Location 06 July - Cycling Competition Swim Practice Swim Practice Shooting – Pistol Finals Museum Campus UIL-Chicago UIL-Chicago McCormick Place – Lakeside Center DVs SMA Dailey Ms. Karen Conlin MG David Wilmot BG Eric Torring CSM Diamond Hough Sergeant Major of the Army VA CASA Deputy Surgeon General, Army National Guard Deputy CG, Regional Health Command-Atlantic, Chief, US Army Veterinary Corps CG, Brooke Army Medical Center, Deputy CG, Regional Health Command-Central CSM, Brooke Army Medical Center - Shooting – Rifle Finals McCormick Place – Lakeside Center - Wheelchair Basketball – Bronze Game Sitting Volleyball – Bronze Match Sitting Volleyball – Gold Match Celebrity Game Wheelchair Basketball – Gold Match United United United United United DVs BG Jeffrey Johnson CSM Diamond Hough CG, Brooke Army Medical Center, Deputy CG, Regional Health Command-Central CSM, Brooke Army Medical Center - Swim Competition University of Illinois –Chicago - Closing Ceremony (by invitation only) Navy Pier DVs BG Jeffrey Johnson CG, Brooke Army Medical Center, Deputy CG, Regional Health Command-Central CSM, Brooke Army Medical Center BG Jeffrey Johnson 07 July 08 July CSM Diamond Hough Center Center Center Center Center 23 Understanding Adaptive Reconditioning • The Military Adaptive Sports Programs was established by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and based on a 2012 Congressional mandate it expand the focus of the Military Department programs from adaptive sport to include adaptive reconditioning, • What is the purpose of the Warrior Transition Command’s Adaptive Reconditioning Program? • – To aid in the recovery of our Wounded, Ill, and Injured Soldiers by reconditioning their physical, emotional, mental, and cognitive states through adaptive activities in all domains of the CTP; Career, Physical, Emotional, Social, Family, and Spiritual; in order to assist their transition back into the military or their community. – Ensures Soldiers optimize their physical well-being and return to an active, productive lifestyle – Leads to individual and group achievement at the unit level Adaptive Activity is any activity which aids in physical, emotional, mental, and cognitive improvement of our Wounded, Ill, and Injured Soldiers. 24 24 2010 Warrior Games (Inaugural Event) Arlene Bauer (Hood) Dr. Coreen Harada (HQ) Holly Sisk (NCR) 25 2011 Warrior Games MRT-PE Team Arlene Bauer (Hood; Sitting Volleyball) Kaitlyn Donohoe (JBLM; Track & Field) Richard Harris (Jackson; Wheelchair Basketball) Lindsay Holtz (Bliss; Shooting) Dr. Melanie Mousseau (Gordon; Swimming) Jill Wierzba (JBSA; Archery) Dr. Keith Wilson (Knox; Cycling) 26 2012 Warrior Games MRT-PE Team Christy Freeman (Gordon; Sitting Volleyball) Dr. Amy Guillen (JBSA; Archery) Richard Harris (Jackson; Wheelchair Basketball) Lindsay Holtz (Bliss; Shooting) Sarah Meyer (JBLM; Track & Field) Dr. Melanie Mousseau (Gordon; Swimming) Dr. Keith Wilson (Knox; Cycling) 27 2013 Warrior Games MRT-PE Team Kaitlyn Donohoe (JBLM; Cycling) Joel Druvenga (Gordon; Track) Dr. John Evans (Jackson; Wheelchair Basketball) Christy Freeman (Gordon; Sitting Volleyball) Dr. Amy Guillen (JBSA; Field) Richard Harris (Jackson; Wheelchair Basketball) Lisa Hutchinson (Benning; Shooting) Jennifer Knight (Hood; Archery) Kelly O’Brien (Carson; Swimming) 28 2014 Warrior Games MRT-PE Team Graham Block (NCR; Cycling) Steve Cohen (Campbell; Track) Joel Druvenga (Riley; Swimming) Dr. John Evans (Jackson; Wheelchair Basketball) Susan Goodman (Riley; Archery) Lisa Hutchinson (Benning; Shooting) Petra Kowalski (Carson; Field) Craig Misiewicz (Knox; Sitting Volleyball) 29 2015 Warrior Games MRT-PE Team Dr. Scott Barnicle (Jackson; Swimming) Sarah Charles (Benning; Shooting) Russ Flaten (JBSA; Track) Ashley Jenkins (NCR; Wheelchair Basketball) Fernando Lopez (Camp Parks; Field) Greg Reznich (Gordon; Archery) Adam Skoranski (Bliss; Cycling) Jenna Weinstein (Korea; Sitting Volleyball) Team Leads Steve Cohen (Campbell) Joel Druvenga (Riley) Craig Misiewicz (NCR) 30 2016 Warrior Games MRT-PE Team Abigail Bilyk (JBLM) Dr. Stephany Coakley (NCR) Steve Cohen (Campbell) Kelsey Erlenbaugh (Campbell) Ashley Jenkins (NCR) Chang Ko (Bragg) Timothy Mitchell (Camp Parks) Anthony Pacheco (Bragg) Shawn Saylors (Jackson) Cody Sohn (Benning) 31