Photo By Staff Sgt. Robert Adams | Sgt. Jodi Sharp of Chicago, with the 108th Sustainment Brigade out of Chicago pulls...... read more read more
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Service members may weather a number of unique challenges related to their deployment, including difficult duty assignments, long separations from loved ones, combat stress, physical injuries and other troubles. Many service members also contend with issues at home that may affect their families, jobs, and local communities.
The Zone 6 Resiliency Center is a place for Soldiers to learn about education and improve and maintain themselves by providing a place to relax. Service members are better able to cope with stress, navigate life changes and be proactive in preserving overall resiliency.
Resiliency is an important part of a Soldiers mission readiness to maintain a clear and mission focused mind. The Resiliency Center staff on Camp Arifjan continues making an impact on the overall resiliency of the Soldiers and civilians on Camp Arifjan. With a staff composed of Soldiers they are able to connect and able to better relate with other Soldiers.
“We get to build interpersonal relationships with these Soldiers that come into the tent,” said Jonathan Tate of Chicago, the Resiliency Center Manager with 108th Sustainment Brigade out of Chicago. “We can see their mannerisms and are able to tell if there is something wrong with them.”
Tate said with his staff having personal relationships makes the Soldiers more comfortable with coming up to them when they are going through rough times.
Tate said unlike the USO and MWR the Resiliency Center is an unfunded operation and everything they do is from the ground up.
“I love this job, I love bringing new and exciting programs to the Soldiers,” said Tate. “I know how it is out here, it can be very trying at times and Soldiers want something new and exciting.”
Tate said they currently have around 120 supporters from the United States of America who reach out and want to send packages to the troops.
“Supporters are always looking to help in any way they can whether it’s Christmas decorations or morale boosting items,” said Tate.
Tate said that another thing the Resiliency Center offers is being a one stop shop for entertainment, education information along with equal opportunity (EO) and chaplain services information.
“It makes it easier on Soldiers to be able to walk into the tent and first relax, take a ‘mental health break’ and then go to the chaplain or EO with their issue,” said Maj. Ramona Zavala of Chicago, equal opportunity adviser with the 108th Sust. Bde. “We have Soldiers that come in that don’t have an EO complaint; they just need someone to talk to.”
Zavala said the center is a positive environment and makes a comfortable setting for people.
“We have Soldiers that come in that are stressed out and then are able to open up more and express their feelings,” said Zavala.
Tate said the Resiliency Center has about 2,000 people come through its doors every month.
Sgt. Jodi Sharp of Chicago, a Resiliency Center supply clerk with the 108th Sust. Bde. said working in the resiliency tent is a fulfilling job.
“I enjoy working in the resiliency tent because it’s a very relaxed environment and it gives people time to interact with each other regardless of rank,” said Sharp. “It’s a safe-haven to sit down and relax away from the stressful work environment or the heat.”
Staff Sgt. Aaron Matthews a preventive medicine specialist of Beaumont, Texas with the 255th Medical Detachment (Preventive Medicine) out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington said this is his second time to the Resiliency Center.
“I injured my back and one of my battle buddies told me there are some massage chairs in the Resiliency (Center),” said Matthews. “The massage chairs have helped out a lot with my back injury.”
Matthews who serves as a detachment sergeant said he has told his Soldiers about the Resiliency Center said he hopes they will take advantage of it.
“The Resiliency (Center) gives Soldiers the opportunity to break away from their jobs, take a knee, have some food, play different games, read a book and reflect on the day,” said Matthews. “Soldiers can come and gather their thoughts and focus on being ready for their next mission.”
The Zone 6 Resiliency Center in the Triad Area is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to anyone with a common access card.
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.29.2014 05:02 |
| Story ID: | 140784 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Hometown: | CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Chicago's Brigade Soldiers take new steps to build resiliency on Camp Arifjan, by SSG Robert Adams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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