USS John P. Murtha Welcomes Deployed Resiliency Counselor

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Curtis Spencer | 190913-N-MT581-0108 RED SEA (Sept. 13, 2019) Rich Kiefer, Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) deployed resiliency counselor (DRC), teaches a class titled, “Thriving, Not Just Surviving: A Class About Living Well,” to Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). A DRC is a licensed therapist who provides short-term, solution-based guidance for deployed service members. John P. Murtha is part of the Boxer ARG and 11th MEU and is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Curtis D. Spencer)  

RED SEA

09.13.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis Spencer 

Amphibious Squadron 5

RED SEA (Sept. 13, 2019) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) with embarked elements from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) welcomed Rich Kiefer, the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) deployed resiliency counselor (DRC), to teach classes aimed at reinforcing life skills for all hands.

A DRC is a licensed therapist who provides short-term, solution-based guidance for deployed service members, of all rates and ranks, covering a wide-range of subjects including separation, relationship issues and challenges in both military and family life.

“The goal of the deployed resiliency counselor program is to support deployed service members through the provision of mental health services with the aim of ensuring that they are mission-ready and well-adjusted people,” Kiefer said. “This is done through individual, group and family support.”

Kiefer conducted a two-part class titled, “Thriving, Not Just Surviving: A Class About Living Well” and a bonus class titled, “Mindfulness.”

“I created this course specifically for this deployment,” Kiefer said. “The goal of the classes is to give Sailors and Marines additional insight and tools on how to increase their overall wellbeing. A person whose wellbeing is high makes a good Sailor, or Marine.”

Anyone on the ship can benefit from the classes, Kiefer added. The focus of both is training to increase well being and overall ability to live a fulfilled life.

“These classes refueled me with positive energy,” Seaman Kenya Graves said. “It felt good to have someone come aboard and bring an insightful, uplifting message. I absolutely recommend everyone take advantage of any DRC led classes available.”

USS John P. Murtha is the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship of the United States Navy and is named in honor of Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania and homeported in San Diego and is part of Naval Surface Forces and U.S. 3rd Fleet.

John P. Murtha is part of the Boxer ARG and 11th MEU and is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2019
• Date Posted: 10.02.2019 08:52
• Story ID: 345253
• Location: RED SEA