Army Resilience Directorate

News Articles

Army Announces CID Restructure and SHARP Policy Improvements

05/06/2021
Acting upon recommendations of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee, the Army announced on May 6, 2021 that it will restructure the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and immediately implement measures to better protect and inform victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Also signed was Army Directive 2021-16 which improves the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program by better protecting and informing victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The new directive immediately implements several SHARP-related findings and recommendations from the FHIRC report.

Army Publishes Guidance on the Use of the Commander’s Risk Reduction Toolkit

05/03/2021
The Army recently published a Secretary of the Army Directive to guide Commanders on utilization of a new online application that helps them better “see” their units and understand when their Soldiers may be at risk. This directive prescribes use of the Commander’s Risk Reduction Toolkit (CRRT), establishes access requirements for CRRT users, and identifies data sources to be aggregated in the CRRT database.

Army Selects 2021 Exceptional SARC of the Year

04/27/2021
Latisha Brossard has been selected as the Army’s nominee for the Department of Defense’s 2021 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator of the Year Award. Brossard, who serves as the SARC for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s 32nd Medical Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, was nominated by her commander, Col. Wesley J.L. Anderson, for “flawless support to sexual assault victims, and the successful implementation of the brigade’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program.” “We are very proud of Mrs. Brossard’s accomplishments and her commitment to eliminating sexual assault from our Army,” said Dr. James Helis, Director, Army Resilience Directorate.

Expedited Transfer Policy Protects Soldiers from Further Harm

04/27/2021
The expedited transfer policy is in place to protect sexual assault victims, giving them the option to transfer away from a unit where they may be facing retaliation, isolation, or having to work near their alleged assailant daily. To ensure commanders understand the policy, and the importance of processing an expedited transfer request in a timely manner, the SHARP Academy recently supported an Army-wide effort to retrain Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program professionals on current policy requirements.

Army Suicide Prevention Activities Focus on Reducing Lethal Means

04/27/2021
Reducing access to lethal means is an essential part of a comprehensive suicide prevention plan. While of vital importance during a time of crisis, firearms and ammunition should always be stored in a safe manner to protect oneself, Family members, and friends. Alcohol can increase the chance that Soldiers will make impulsive choices. Responsible alcohol practices, such as keeping small quantities at home, can also mitigate risk.

ARD Webinar: Using Technology to Measure What Matters

04/27/2021
Albert Einstein once stated, “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.” March’s Army Resilience Directorate webinar presenter, Chris Dancy, pushed back at this sentiment with a variety of ways to harness technology to enhance human interaction and relationships.

SHARP Professionals Can Avoid Burnout with These Self-Care Strategies

04/27/2021
Burnout is a real thing. With a lot of people working from home because of the pandemic, they are almost always “on” and it can become increasingly difficult to find work-life balance. SHARP professionals spend a lot of time ensuring the well-being of survivors is managed effectively so they can heal and continue to live productive and purpose-filled lives. The demand for support and intervention from providers is high and providers themselves can be left vulnerable by neglecting their own mental and emotional health.

Bavaria SHARP Hosts Denim Day 2021

04/20/2021
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and as part of this month of awareness, April 28, is Denim Day. To mark the 22nd year of Denim Day, the U.S. Army Garrison is encouraging everyone to support the occasion.

Army Outlines Actions Taken Across the Force to Implement Fort Hood Independent Review Committee Recommendations

04/16/2021
The Army announced a slate of actions taken across the force to implement the recommendations of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee. Notably, the Army is in the process of re-structuring the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and redesigning the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program to address shortcomings identified in the report. In addition to taking actions to significantly address each of the 70 recommendations set forth in the FHIRC report, the Army is working to achieve transformational cultural change by executing initiatives such as This is My Squad, the Army’s first-ever noncommissioned officer strategy, and the Command Assessment Program, which will ensure that only exemplary leaders are placed into critical positions of trust and responsibility.

Drinking, Depression Can Lead to Dark Thoughts, Suicide

04/14/2021
Drinking alcohol comes with risks — to your health, relationships and one other that often remains unspoken: death by suicide. No one situation or event leads to death by suicide. The factors are complex and may involve family history, mental health, relationship challenges, and prolonged stress.

Virtual Fitness Challenges Promote Fitness & Resiliency

04/09/2021
With their gym closed due to COVID-19, Soldiers, Family Members, and fitness enthusiasts throughout U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden have found another outlet to keep in shape. They are taking part in a monthly fitness virtual challenge, recording a series of workout routines and challenging others to meet or exceed the workout’s standards.

Walking and Running to Stop Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

04/08/2021
The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) conducted a team-building run/walk in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. TACOM’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Victim Advocate, Sgt. 1st Class Fransheska Wiggins, spearheaded the effort. “A run/walk event is what Soldiers typically do at a regular duty station,” said Wiggins. “Here at [the Detroit Arsenal] it’s not a traditional duty station, but we decided that the run/walk was still a way to bring the Soldiers and civilians together as a team.”

Fort Leonard Wood Hosts Spiritual Readiness Chaplaincy Pilot

04/07/2021
Fort Leonard Wood’s chaplains participated in a recent spiritual readiness pilot program hosted by Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Thomas Solhjem, the Army Chief of Chaplains. The goal of the Chaplaincy Integration Pilot is to explore ways unit-level chaplains can more effectively complement behavioral health care through the fostering of spiritual core development in Soldiers and help them in combatting risky behavior, poor decision-making, sexual assault, and death by suicide.

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

04/07/2021
The Wiesbaden Army community and leadership highlight the importance of supporting survivors of sexual assault every day of the year, dedicating April to raising awareness about sexual violence, and recommitting to fighting it.

Building Cohesive Teams During Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

04/05/2021
This year’s Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) theme is "Building Cohesive Teams through Character, Trust and Resilience. Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission." During SAAPM, Regional Health Command Europe is focused on building strong Sexual Assault Response Teams.

SHARP Director: Preventing Sexual Assault is Everyone’s Responsibility

04/02/2021
Building a culture of prevention, awareness, trust and support continue to drive efforts within the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, as it works toward rolling out new changes to eliminate those harmful behaviors. SHARP Director Jill Londagin discusses the importance of restoring trust and proving support, as well as SHARP program improvements.