Devil Value One brings resilience to Soldiers in Poland

Photo By Staff Sgt. Adam Decker | ZAGAN, Poland (Mar. 7, 2019) - Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., visit a German WWII prisoner of war camp museum and spend the day thinking about how resilient the POWs needed to be. Over 500 POWs had to work together to make a 200 prisoner escape possible. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Decker)  

ZAGAN, POLAND

03.08.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Adam Decker 

358th Public Affairs Detachment

ZAGAN, Poland -- Twenty-five Soldiers and six small group leaders from all over the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division participated in the third iteration of the Devil Value One Program, March 7-9, 2019.

The Devil Value One Program is a three day resiliency program where junior enlisted battle buddy pairs get mental and spiritual resilience through discussion, service, and team focused activities. The idea was first developed by 2nd Lt. Shaun Bell of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, who then refined it with Maj. Donald Bickel, the Brigade Chaplain.

“For good reason, [the Army] does a lot of training where we sit down and we’re given slides or information. But that type of training isn’t often experiential, it’s received. One of the things we very intentionally designed into this program is to put Soldiers in positions where they’re not only thinking and confronting through discussion but also getting an experience.” Maj. Bickel also remarked that, “Finally, the experience and their mental thought process can converge so Soldiers get a deeper understanding [of resilience.]”

Spc. Brandon Conn of the 101st Brigade Support Battalion shared an example of how the course gave him resilience, “This program has helped me reshape and bring back my own purpose to why I serve and who I am serving for,” said Spc. Conn. “It has reminded me that the Army is not just a job where I get told to go somewhere and do something. It has helped me realize who I am.”

Col. Charles Armstrong, the Brigade Commander who implemented the program last spring, stepped in on day-one during discussion of identity, values, and character. After sharing his thoughts Col. Armstrong left, but his impression on Conn remained.

“[Col. Armstrong] is one of those commanders who are more about individuals having a purpose, than just being a uniform or rank.” Conn said. Col. Armstrong also told the group that getting to know people would greatly change their career in the Army for the better.

Maj. Bickel stressed the Brigade’s commitment to Soldiers having a sense of their own identity. Soldiers were brought to Zagan from bases scattered across central and eastern Europe and dedicated 3 days to improving their resilience. Activities included group discussions, a volunteer project at a Polish church, and a visit to a Prisoner Of War museum focused on teamwork and cooperation.

Each iteration has lessons learned and adjustments for the program, said Maj. Bickel. Overall, the final sentiment of participating Soldiers is to expand the program for more Soldiers and continue it on a regular basis.

• Date Taken: 03.08.2019
• Date Posted: 03.12.2019 10:16
• Story ID: 313922
• Location: ZAGAN, PL