Photo By Chief Petty Officer Jeff Atherton | VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 19, 2021) - Rear Adm. Darin Via, commander, Naval Medical...... read more read more
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VIRGINIA BEACH (NNS) – Rear Adm. Darin Via, commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, and director, Tidewater Market, toured the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) Two Strike facility at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek, Va., April 19, to learn how Navy EOD is focused on providing a holistic approach to training and maintaining long-term health for Navy EOD operators and divers.
During the tour Cmdr. Andy Camarata, Senior Medical Officer of EODGRU 2, discussed the advanced Force Health Protection goals of the EOD STRIKE program, which is focused on growing resilience that protects the EOD community.
“Athletic and behavioral non-combat issues are the number one reason for casualties, even during combat deployments.” said Camarata. “With STRIKE, we shape our training environment with credentialed athletic and behavior professionals on the training team. It’s all about adding that targeted professional athletic and behavioral experience as a readiness driver for the EOD community—making sure the team learns how to practice wellness across the entire training cycle. It’s the same as getting to know the bomb shack staff or the other training teams. We equip whole units of action with personal and social resources to keep them in the fight and ready for the uncertainties of life in EOD.”
Capt. Charles Eckhart, Commander of EODGRU 2, briefed Via on how STRIKE aims to shape a culture that promotes wellness by evaluating platoons during four touchpoints in their training cycle; pre-unit level training, post-unit level training, pre-deployment, and post-deployment. The STRIKE facility houses professional personnel to streamline athletic and behavior training for the warfighter. During the tour Via met with the staff of STRIKE, which is made up of two strength and conditioning coaches, two certified athletic trainers, a physical therapist, a nurse case manager, and a psychological health team (PHT).
STRIKE provides upfront instruction on the stresses of life in EOD and the common issues we see in the force. Initial individual assessments look for personal, social, cognitive, and physical challenges that could cause problems during a career in EOD. Then the STRIKE staff train the team for functional fitness and lifelong wellness. With STRIKE, the training cycle and personnel support can be tailored to meet needs for challenges in any domain—personal, social, cognitive, or physical—with reduced risk to the force. For example, if a member is experiencing family stress, financial stress, or needs rotator cuff surgery, the training team is often the first to know and integrates wellness support into the training day. Recognizing and addressing issues in the training cycle reduces casualties and reduces return to duty time when casualties occur. Additionally, the entire team learns from every experience of stress and recovery. This organizational learning through the STRIKE training community and STRIKE-based wellness has become part of the EOD identity and a long-term strategy to build highly resilient Navy EOD and Diving communities.
EODGRU 2 is a critical part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces (NECF) that clears explosive hazards to provide access to denied areas; secures the undersea domain for freedom of maneuver; builds and fosters relationships with capable and trusted partners; and protects the homeland.
To learn more about Navy EOD STRIKE go to https://www.dvidshub.net/news/391504/strike-takes-aim-eod-force-resiliency
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2021 13:59 |
| Story ID: | 395595 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 304 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NAVMEDLANT Tour EODGRU 2 STRIKE Facility, by LCDR Mary Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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