Photo By Sgt. Elizabeth Jones | Sgt. 1st Class. Gidget A. Borst, noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics,...... read more read more
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Retired Maj. Scotty Smiley visited Fort Riley Sept. 19, speaking at a prayer luncheon about how in times of great pain, spiritual resiliency carries a person through extraordinary challenges and facilitates the ability for people to achieve goals of the highest degree.
Smiley was the Army’s first blind active-duty officer. In 2005, after being wounded by a suicide bomber while serving as convoy commander in Iraq, Smiley lost vision in both eyes. His faith was tested over the next decade as he healed and returned back to active service.
“At the beginning of recovery, I was drowning in my despair,” Smiley said. “Half my body was paralyzed, my eyesight was gone and the doctors gave me nothing but vague assurances that I would even get out of the situation alive, let alone that I would live a half-normal life again.”
But Smiley pushed through the challenge. He said that it was his spiritual faith and support of family, friends and co-workers that kept him moving forward through recovery and back to active duty.
“After prayer with my wife and talking with family and friends and people in the military, I knew it was something I wanted to do,” he said of returning to active duty. “I surrounded myself with men and women who believed in the mission.”
Maj. Christian Goza, 1st Infantry Division chaplain, remarked that for a person to identify their purpose in life and to uphold their core beliefs, no matter one’s spiritual background, are key to upholding a person’s spiritual fitness and maintaining mission readiness.
The Comprehensive Solider and Family Fitness, Army Regulation further explains that, “these elements (one’s purpose, core values, beliefs, identity and life vision), which define the essence of a person, enable one to build inner strength, make meaning of experiences, behave ethically, preserve through challenges and be resilient when faced with adversity. An individual’s spirituality draws upon personal, philosophical, psychological and/or religious teachings or beliefs, and forms the basis of their character.”
Smiley’s book about his experience, “Hope Unseen,” was published in 2012.
“What I heard today was remarkable and encouraging,” said Pfc. Alexander Nutter, an M1 armor crewman from Charlie Company, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
As a part-time minister of Truth Baptist Church in West Virginia, Nutter understands the value of prayer, taking time to connect with friends and listening during others’ time in need.
“There are going to be times when you want to give up, and that’s a part of life,” Nutter said. “Things happen for a purpose, and if those things had not happened I would not be here today.”
Scotty’s remarks echo that sentiment.
“It doesn’t matter what has happened to you. Once you set your mind to it, you can accomplish any goals,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2016 11:17 |
| Story ID: | 212458 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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