New fitness program to focus more on stress

[unhappycamper]

New fitness program to focus more on stress
By Kristin M. Hall - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Mar 16, 2009 21:14:01 EDT

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — The Army chief of staff says a new training program will begin soon to help soldiers become more mentally resilient against the stress of war.

Gen. George W. Casey Jr. said Monday at Fort Campbell that the comprehensive soldier fitness program will focus on coping with stress, along with physical training.

The Army has been struggling to stem a rising number of suicides through prevention training. Eight Fort Campbell soldiers have killed themselves since the start of the year.

Casey said it’s no secret that repeat deployments add to the psychological burden on soldiers. He said the program will start in about 60 days and follow up on Army-wide mandatory training on suicide prevention that was completed this month.

“This program is designed to move mental fitness up to the level we give to physical fitness and it’s designed to build resilience and enhance performance of our soldiers,” Casey said, speaking during an awards ceremony at Fort Campbell.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_casey_war_stress_031609/%2e