A Critical Examination of the U.S. Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program

Objectives To prospectively examine the health and health-related behaviors of Army Special Forces personnel in comparison with two distinct, but functionally similar Army groups. Methods Special Forces, Ranger Qualified, and General Purposes Forces enrolled in the Millennium Cohort Study were identified using data from the Defense Manpower Data Center. Using prospective survey data (2001-2014), we estimated the association of Army specialization with mental health, social support, physical health, and health-related behaviors with multivariable regression models. Results Among the 5,392 eligible participants (84.4% General Purposes Forces, 10.0% Special Forces, 5.6% Ranger Qualified), Special Forces personnel reported the lowest prevalence of mental disorders, physical health problems, and unhealthy behaviors. In the multivariable models, Special Forces personnel were less likely to report mental health problems, multiple somatic symptoms, and unhealthy behaviors compared with General Purpose Forces infantrymen (odds ratios [OR]: 0.20-0.54, p-values < .01). Overall, Special Forces personnel were similar in terms of mental and physical health compared with Ranger Qualified infantrymen, but were less likely to sleep < 5 hours/night (OR: 0.60, 95% confidence intervals: 0.40, 0.92) and have 5 or more multiple somatic symptoms (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.98). Both Special Forces personnel and Ranger Qualified infantrymen engaged in more healthy behaviors compared with General Purpose Forces infantrymen (OR: 2.57-6.22, p-PLOS ONE

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“…military population, future research may identify targeted areas for refinement for ensuring optimal implementation [49][50].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health, physical health, and health-related behaviors of U.S. Army Special Forces

et al. 2020

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“…100 Such an argument allows for a presumption of success of CSF, with Brown arguing that there have been no controlled studies to support such claim. 101 Proponents of the program have identified it as a necessary response to the rates of PTSD and suicide amongst personnel, particularly those deployed in recent conflicts to Iraq and Afghanistan. Supporters have hypothesized that the learned skills from CSF would "enhance soldiers" ability to handle adversity, prevent depression and anxiety, prevent PTSD, and enhance overall well-being and performance".…”

Section: Comprehensive Soldier Fitnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Duty to Serve, a Duty to Provide: A Comparative Analysis of Mental Health Delivery in the Armed Forces of Canada, U.K and U.S.

O’Brien

2017

SSRN Journal

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The issue of mental trauma suffered during combat is one that has plagued militaries for as long as wars have been waged. Caring for those who have served their nations should be a top priority for the health sector of any standing army. However, the issues plaguing service personnel, specifically those within armed forces, are a difficult problem for policymakers and military superiors alike. The objective of this study is to analyze mental healthcare administrations in Canada, the U.S. and U.K. within the context of three independent variables: training initiatives, discharge policies and compensation and the role of veterans" organizations in care delivery and advocacy. Through the lens of institutional theory, this thesis will argue that some countries employ more effective tactics than others at mitigating their mental health burden. It will demonstrate that the degree to which institutions are centralized is directly related to the effectiveness with which mental health is addressed. Mental health administration in armed forces is a topic rarely, if at all, analyzed in political science and policy literature. Policymakers have a multitude of medical studies at their disposal, but few studies that suggest manners in which governance and administration can be altered to improve services. This thesis will fill that gap and provide a foundation for future research in the politics of mental healthcare in armed forces.

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“…The military has recognized the unique value of harnessing the power of peer support and identification with a military peer group to overcome stigma and to enhance participation in resiliencebuilding exercises and in seeking help. Peer counselors benefit from the acceptance and trust afforded to men and women who have also served, and they have potential for boosting adherence to plans created in a web-based intervention [35][36][37]. Numerous 'grass roots' peer programs have also been implemented within the military and the National Guard, utilizing fellow veterans who are trained for a range of counseling and support functions, including the Buddy-to-Buddy program [38] in the Michigan National Guard.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer‐ and web‐based interventions for risky drinking among US National Guard members: Mission Strong randomized controlled trial

et al. 2023

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Aims To test separatel the efficacy of a web‐based and a peer‐based brief intervention (BI), compared with an expanded usual care control (EUC) group, among military reserve component members using alcohoI in a hazardous and harmful manner. Design In the randomized controlled trial, participants were assigned to: [1] web‐based BI with web‐based boosters (BI + web), [2] web‐based BI with peer‐based boosters (BI + peer) or [3] enhanced usual care (EUC). Setting Michigan, USA. Participants A total of 739 Michigan Army National Guard members who reported recent hazardous alcohol use; 84% were male, the mean age was 28 years. Intervention The BI consisted of an interactive program guided by a personally selected avatar. Boosters were delivered either on the web or personally by a trained veteran peer. A pamphlet, given to all participants, included information on hazardous alcohol use and military‐specific community resources and served as the EUC condition. Measurements The primary outcome measure was binge drinking episodes in the past 30 days, measured at 12 months after the BI. Findings All randomized participants were included in the outcome analyses. In adjusted analyses, BI + peer [beta = −0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.56 to −0.31, P < 0.001] and BI + web (beta = −0.34, 95% CI = −0.46 to −0.23, P < 0.001) reduced binge drinking compared with EUC. Conclusion This satudy was a web‐based brief intervention for hazardous alcohol use, with either web‐ or peer‐based boosters, reduced binge alcohol use among Army National Guard members.

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A Critical Examination of the U.S. Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program

Cited by 9 publications

References 50 publications

Mental health, physical health, and health-related behaviors of U.S. Army Special Forces

Mental health, physical health, and health-related behaviors of U.S. Army Special Forces

A Duty to Serve, a Duty to Provide: A Comparative Analysis of Mental Health Delivery in the Armed Forces of Canada, U.K and U.S.

Peer‐ and web‐based interventions for risky drinking among US National Guard members: Mission Strong randomized controlled trial

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