The SURT Course assesses and trains approximately 400 Soldiers per year, with Soldiers from every branch across the Division. During 10-day course, Soldiers built confidence during an arm-wrestling challenge, communicated effectively as a squad to accomplish several different tasks, and practiced imagery for disassembling and reassembling an M240 machine gun.

Want to challenge your mental skills? Schedule training here!

The Dragon Fighter Academy is a two-week course that provides hands-on training to incoming Military Police. The first training session includes energy management and attention control to enhance effectiveness and execution in the event of an active threat situation. This exercise is followed by hands-on coaching as the Soldiers go through a simulated active threat event. Performance Experts provided in-the-moment coaching prior to the second training session. This activity tested mental skills during oleoresin capsicum which is pepper spray and taser exposure due to the Military Police’s usage of the tools and need to know their effects.

How do you handle high stress situations? Find your local R2PC to schedule training and find out!

Master Resilience-Trainer Performance Experts (MRT-PEs) facilitated discussions with Soldiers and Civilians around stress; their experiences of stress on the job, and how it impacts their professional relationships and relationships with patients. MRT-PEs explained the importance of having the support of your leaders and peers, keeping your mind focused and controlling your breathing during periods of high stress. A great way to conquer stress is to practice deliberate breathing, a simple, but powerful skill that aids in boosting your energy levels and recovering energy. These discussions were beneficial and will help participants handle internal stress in a productive and healthy manner. If you’re interested in managing your internal stress in a team environment, schedule your training here.

The purpose of this training was to help the unit prepare to travel to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for their Annual Training (AT). The workshop began with discussions of the challenges they anticipated encountering during their mission. Soldiers engaged in an open discussion on effective communication and learned ways to manage their time and energy effectively throughout the course of their mission by practicing energy management skills. They then broke into small groups to discuss how they could support one another more effectively through team building both in preparation and during AT.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

• “The exercises were great. We should have more of those”
• “The practical exercises we did were very good”
• “The instructor had participants interacting with each other in the activities and it was very helpful for effective communication”

MRT-PEs accompanied Cadets through each day’s activities providing on-the-spot coaching and training. These future Army leaders gained energy management skills, tools to build stronger team cohesion, and learned how to fortify a positive mindset. The training used a combination of fun and challenging physical activities such as cup stacks, perfect square activity, and stack attacks; one-on-one coaching, and short classes. Cadets from the 5th Regiment took advantage of these opportunities and are returning to their universities stronger and more resilient with new tools to assist them as they serve as leaders in their R.O.T.C. detachments and work towards earning a commission. Contact your local R2PC to do the same.

Divided into teams, each group received a clue that directed them to one of the monuments around the Mall. At each one, Master Resilience Trainer-Performance Experts (MRT-PEs) provided briefs on several skills linking them to that monument. Leaders participated in an open discussion on effective communication, trust, and administering  effective praise. At the end of the brief, teams received a clue to their next monument. At each station, leaders reflected on how their behaviors can impact levels of psychological safety and trust in their organizational environments. After each team made it to every monument, MRT-PEs discussed how participants could actively use the skills in their daily leadership roles.

PHC-A leaders left with a more deliberate and actionable way to build effective leadership styles. Want to enhance your leadership abilities? Sign up for training to challenge your team today!

Mental skills training was incorporated into daily training schedules to help build resilience and meet the many challenges Cadets face during CST. Their resilience was tested during a variety of challenges including the rappel tower, obstacle/confidence course, weapons qualification, and the gas chamber. PEs used skills-building activities such as helium hoop, jump game, focus activity, imagery, kinesthetic imagery, and entourage to help enhance resilience and confidence. During the more challenging events, PEs discussed team building, communication, and provided on-the-spot coaching to assist Cadets in achieving their goals. Advanced Camp concluded with Cadets being stronger, resilient, and able to optimize their physical and mental performance. Contact your local R2PC to do the same!

Working to develop cohesion, teamwork, and enhancing communication, a mix of Soldiers, U.S. Army Civilians, and MLCs participated in the Soft Skills Workshop modeled after a previous successful three-day long workshop for other sections of the unit. The success of the 836th’s mission relies on strong relationships as they support bilateral operations in Japan and the South Pacific Region. Participants discussed components of effective workplace culture, core values, and effective communication. This highly interactive workshop involved hands-on activities, small group discussions, and a participant-generated list of core values that U.S. forces and Japan MLCs can use to navigate complex interpersonal interactions.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Here are reactions from a few of the participants.

• “The Soft Skills Workshop was enjoyable, educational, and worth the full-day event.”
• “Today’s workshop was a good experience, and I will use this knowledge moving forward.”
• “Great training, I truly believe that it is important to talk about such things. It helps to reflect on important matters most people take for granted.”

The 836th will continue working with the U.S. Army Japan R2 Performance Center to continue to develop the effective skillset that assists the unit with accomplishing its mission.

Cadet’s resilience was tested during a variety of challenges including the rappel towel, land navigation, obstacle/confidence course, weapons qualification, gas chamber, and a 6-mile ruck march. PEs used activities such as helium hoop, jump game, focus activity, imagery, kinesthetic imagery, and entourage to help build resilience and confidence. During the more challenging events, PEs discussed team building, communication, and provided in-the-moment coaching to assist Cadet’s in achieving their goals. Advanced Camp concluded with Cadets being stronger, resilient and bringing a spirit of enhanced morale back to their school detachments. Contact your local R2PC to do the same!

The competition, held annually at Fort Benning, Ga., consists of two-man buddy teams competing for 62 continuous hours of physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding challenges in an effort to earn the title of Best Ranger. The 7th Infantry Division teams tested their resilience during 16 in-depth and personalized mental skills training sessions. R2 courses included goal setting, energy management, and building confidence. The two 7th Infantry Division teams finished 26th and 35th overall including being the first U.S. Army Pacific team to finish. This was a significant improvement from last year when the R2 PEs were not involved. Improve your skills by scheduling training today!

Soldiers tested their critical thinking by completing challenging mental puzzles requiring teamwork, problem solving, and effective communication. After solving a puzzle, Soldiers would then complete physical exercises such as hand-release push-ups in the water and bear crawl in the sand. These events helped maintain resilience and build strong unit morale. Find a local R2PC to strengthen your unit!

To qualify on the M17 pistol, Soldiers needed to hit at least half of the green targets which popped up at distances ranging from 10-31 meters. To successfully qualify on their M4, Soldiers were required to hit a minimum of 23 out of 40 targets.  Master Resilience Trainer - Performance Experts assisted participants prior to the qualification courses by discussing the connection between their thoughts and performance, energy management, and interpreting their fight-or-flight response effectively. With the help of R2 training, every single service member qualified! Sign up for training today.

The goal of the workshop was to improve communication by overcoming cultural differences, not making assumptions of other peoples’ intentions, and working on lack of personal control during interpersonal conflict. Fifty participants practiced problem solving, assertive communication, and avoiding thinking traps. A Family member Master Resilience Trainer with Japanese language skills provided critical translation support, while three additional MRT facilitators played a critical role in assisting in completion of practical exercises during the workshop. Improve your work environment; sign up for training here!

Soldiers and Family members participated in a variety of competitions such as flag football, dodgeball, softball, spouse kickball, M1 Abrams Tank Pull, and obstacle course, among others. The highlight for the week occurred when six teams of Soldiers completed as many mentally and physically challenging obstacle courses as possible within 45-minutes. Prior to each course, teams were briefed on simple techniques to help them keep their mind focused and control their breathing during periods of high stress and physical exertion. Soldiers developed team cohesion during the physical challenges by working together. The feedback from participants was entirely positive with many requesting to do the course again at a later date with more obstacles. Desert Warrior Week is scheduled to become an annual event at Fort Irwin. Want a challenge at your own installation? Schedule with your R2PC today!

Soldiers divided into teams to compete in three physical training activities:

The Floor is Lava – two teams competing to complete as many floor grids as possible. The goal of the game is for team members to move from the starting point to the finish without any part of the player's body coming into contact with the floor aka Lava.

Noodle Tag – teams or individuals strategizing to tag opponents with their foam noodles. Tagged players must complete 20 second planks and if they're tagged three times, they are eliminated from the game and take laps around the field.

Tank Commander – teams of two are either labeled Tank or Commander. The Commander instructs the blindfolded Tank to pick up “ammunition” and hit opposing Tanks. When a player is hit, the team needs to leave the field to complete an exercise. If teams are hit three times, they are eliminated.

The training ended with the battalion discussing how they felt physically, mentally, and emotionally about the activities in addition to how the exercises impacts team morale. Want to sign up for these fun exercises? Find your closest R2PC today!

Non-commissioned officers trained in ACE-SI and Engage to obtain knowledge and skills to identify when their Soldiers display norms or behavioral change. When leaders can see risk factors and warning signs in Soldiers, they can quickly get involved and help Soldiers access the support they need. Feedback from the training indicated that leaders felt more confident in how to relate to their Soldiers and unit and how the learned tools will impact their personal and professional lives. Sign up here to improve your engagement skills today!

Participants of the Blended Skills Training learned an abundance of resilience tools from Master Resilience Trainer - Performance Experts. Activities included:

Cube - a team building activity where the goal is for each member of the team to pass through the cube, with the help of other team members, without tipping the cube over.

Activating Event, Thoughts, and Consequences Model - identifying heat of the moment thoughts from an event, the consequences of those thoughts, and learning how to have greater control over emotions and reactions.

Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Non-judgment, and Generosity Model - focuses on individual behavior and the different elements of how to build and establish trust.

Participants also learned energy management, effective communication, and counterproductive thinking. Interested in any of these activities for your installation? Contact your nearest R2PC to improve your working environment!

Master Resilience Trainer - Performance Experts (MRT-PEs) highlighted leadership skills during the capabilities brief focusing on new training offerings such as the Counseling Enhancement Workshop, Gaining Resilience in Training, and Squad Leader Development. To demonstrate how R2 training is interactive and not just a classroom setting, CSMs participated in the infinite loop activity where they partnered up and worked together to disengage from the ropes on their wrists that were intertwined. Lastly, MRT-PEs discussed the individual zone of optimal functioning (IZOF), a model that focuses on an individual’s preferred level of anxiety that allows them to perform at their optimum. Participants discussed their performances, how IZOF applies, and strategies to be best at their roles. To enhance your leadership skills, schedule R2 training today!

Dynasty platoons were divided into teams for some friendly competition to test their readiness in adverse conditions. Each team had to work together, communicate effectively, and utilize energy management to prevail against the others during several mental and physical exercises. The Land Navigation obstacle in particular challenged Soldiers’ mental strengths by having them identify 6-digit grid coordinates. After the training concluded, each Delta Battery platoon became more efficient and resilient. Find your closest R2 Performance Center to test your readiness!

Soldiers competed in several physical challenges designed by Master Resilience Trainer - Performance Experts to enhance team building, effective communication, and resilience. Participants learned to work together while memorizing information to complete obstacles such as transporting kettlebells, walking lunges, and tire flipping. The day also included an award and promotion ceremony, classes on suicide prevention and safety, and concluded with a safety brief. After facing physical and mental exertion as a team, the 10th ended the day with stronger unit morale. Schedule training here to enhance your resilience!

The Spring FTX is an annual exercise to prepare Cadets to succeed at Reserve Officers' Training Corps Summer Camp, continue the development of senior Cadets, and prepare newer Cadets for the program. This year, MRT-PEs were on-site to assist at crucial locations. Cadets learned on the field self-talk/real-time resilience to overcome the confidence course and how to manage nerves with deliberate breathing while conquering the 64-foot Rappel Tower. The mental skills training proved successful with Cadets returning to campus more resilient, prepared, and inspired for future advancements. Sign up to enhance your readiness skills today!

The training focused on a specifically designed unit cohesion exercise where participants rotated through five stations of mental and physical challenges. The stations consisted of energy management, team building, and identifying character strengths. During the After Action Review, participants gave positive feedback of the event and requested a series of seven performance enhancement modules and additional support from R2.

As part of 10th SFG(A)’s strategy to provide opportunities for mentorship and peer support among its female Soldiers, an R2 guest speaker was invited to discuss resiliency. The event included resilience myths and facts, plus confirmation bias. The conference began with a video of numerous high-ranking women, serving across the Army, sharing special messages of support and included a panel of five local female military leaders.

The purpose of these classes was to build morale and learn the many tools and services offered by the R2 Performance Center. Members participated in an open discussion on resiliency, character strength, and team building – all needed skills as they put in long hours developing the next generation of Soldiers. After positive feedback on the exercises learned, resilience training will be scheduled in the future for Fort Jackson’s Fighting Falcon team.

Leadership of the 173rd Airborne Brigade worked with R2 Performance Experts as part of a toughness initiative to teach, observe, and build rapport with their Soldiers. Each battalion learned exercises in team building, energy management, attention control, and mental skills and incorporated them into unit training activities. The 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion’s Castle Company successfully practiced what they learned during recent blank fire exercises. In the pursuit of resiliency, Sky Soldiers will continue to enhance leadership with strategies to empower and mentally toughen their Soldiers. Sign up for training to challenge your team today!

Training began with participants discussing components of a “mentally tough” Soldier and what makes a great tank crew. Then, during gunnery, Soldiers focused on the following skills:

• Thought-Performance Connection – emphasizes how to control your thoughts so that emotions and how your body reacts to them don’t impact performance.
• Energy Management – strategies on how to increase and decrease energy so that the quality of performance is not affected.
• Attention Control - ability to gain more focus through increased awareness using cue words or phrases and the 3x3 grounding technique (where you use your sight, hearing, and touch to help manage your thoughts).

During the after-action review, Soldiers asked questions and discussed team goals. Compared to their previous gunnery, DH Troop’s average qualification score increased by 13% while having a 25% decrease in second-time qualifying crews. The Troop Commander indicated it was one of the best range densities in terms of morale and performance.

Soldiers were divided among three timed stations set up to represent the pillars of duty: communication, trust, and commitment. The first station consisted of a “traffic jam” activity where instinctive leaders would “direct traffic” by communicating and finding their way out of a maze. The second station emphasized trust where one leader instructed team members to build a structure, with the leader being the only person who knew how the completed structure looked. The final station required Soldiers to split into two teams and navigate 100 feet “Across the River”. Participants cooperated using nonverbal communication and had to commit to several steps to accomplish the task. Future R2 training sessions have already been scheduled as the unit found these exercises helpful in sharpening their skills.

Participants initially discussed the various characteristics of what makes a cohesive team. It was concluded that the foundation of a unified team was trust. When a group has an open dialogue and communicates productively, they are comfortable and work better together as a whole. Along with effective praise in everyday interactions, the training highlighted the three Cs of effective and assertive communication:

• Confidence – belief in one’s ability
• Clear – the message is easy to understand
• Controlled – delivery is calm and in a controlled manner

The training also focused on the IDEAL model for communicating in difficult conversations:

I – Identify and understand the problem
D - Describe the problem objectively
E – Express your concerns and how you feel
A – Ask the other person for his/her perspective and then ask for a reasonable change
L – List the positive outcomes that will occur if the person makes the agreed upon change

Thanks to R2 training, the clinic learned practical, everyday tools to better communicate and build trust amongst their colleagues.

In a span of four days, Soldiers were trained in a multitude of mental skills techniques:

• Day 1: Mindset - mental strengthening to control reactions to an event
• Day 2: Energy Management – regulate heart rates, reframe stress effectively, and control energy through breathing
• Day 3: Motivation – how to draw motivation internally
• Day 4: Attention Control – shift attention effectively using cue words to be in the present

On the fifth day Soldiers had an after-action review and a survey to conclude their experience. Participants not only learned a variety of helpful skills to prepare as leaders but also bonded as a group. Find your closest R2 Performance Center to further advance your training!

The training began with the group discussing how stress affects their duties as a Soldier and their personal life. Each participant then had their baseline body levels measured using EmWave technology, which recognizes the physical signs and symptoms of stress such as increased heart rate, body temperature, and muscle tension. The group was taught deliberate breathing and practiced the technique. Afterwards, the Soldiers used EmWave again, but this time using deliberate breathing as a tool to lower their fight-or-flight response while being distracted by teammates. Participants learned the relaxation technique helped block out distractions and how it benefited them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Learn how to manage your stress by scheduling training here!

The evaluation started with 260 candidates in the field moving from station to station, first measuring physical fitness, day and night land navigation, then eventually to weapons, patrol, and medical lanes. Throughout the testing phase, R2 Performance Experts worked with small groups building confidence, conveying attention control, and applying energy management. Ultimately, 28 Soldiers finished the last station, the 12-mile road march. The week ended with 19 Soldiers earning their Expert Infantry Badge, and nine Soldiers earning their Expert Soldier Badge. Looking to earn your special skills badge? Schedule your R2 training here!

Leaders divided into teams and participated in a “values bracket activity”. The exercise had individuals discuss their values and how they show up in their leadership style before voting on which ones should move up to the next bracket. Hearing how others viewed each value allowed participants to gain insight into how they could work together to foster those values in others. In addition to personal insights the bracket activity built camaraderie and team cohesion. Want to enhance your Army values? Schedule training at an R2 Performance Center now!

Team members were paired together to execute an assessment called “Blind Drawing” in order to identify potential problems and barriers regarding communication. Pairs sat back-to-back, one partner was given a drawing and had to describe the image using only shapes and angles. The other partner would then try to replicate the image to the best of their ability. The pairs would then swap roles and afterwards, one team member would present their drawing to the entire group. In all cases, everyone’s picture looked different. This activity emphasized how messages can be interpreted differently by individuals and fostered a discussion on how improvements in communication can be made. Interested in team building activities like “Blind Drawing”? Schedule R2 training here.

Training began with the resilience skill, “Activating Event, Thoughts and Consequences” (ATC). The training brought awareness of how an individual’s thoughts impact them not only emotionally and physically, but also affects their entire team. ATC highlights a different way of thinking about a situation to achieve the best possible outcome. Discussion moved on to “Detect Icebergs” where individuals identified and evaluated core beliefs or values that are driving their emotions and reactions. During a writing exercise, participants described how well their current team functioned. Afterwards, they described how they thought a great team should function. Lastly, during a “Stand and Divide” activity, participants in teams wrote a collective list of the values of a great team. The team picked three to five values and then presented them to the entire group and discussed their plan to implement them. The Boston MEPS felt this was one of the most engaging training sessions. Find your R2 Performance Center and engage now!

During the first week of training, Soldiers learned the importance of effective praise. Using techniques from the course, they practiced providing effective praise in a debrief of their battle buddy’s performance during unit physical training. The second week consisted of exercises focusing on psychological safety strategies to build trust and CAR (competence, autonomy, relatedness) to create a motivating environment. Want to sharpen your leadership skills? Contact your closest performance center now!

Two high-stress team activities were conducted, allowing Soldiers to practice what they’d learned. The first activity, “Nut Stacker”, focused on physical fatigue, finger dexterity, and mental focus. “Nut Stacker” consisted of using a stick to pick up metal nuts and stack them upon one another to build a tower while team members hold a plank position until it was their turn. The second, “Flip Cup”, focused on calibrated throwing, peer pressure, and time management. Team members had to form lines and take turn flipping a cup in a manner that it would land face down on a table. The first team to get everyone through won. Both activities helped participants handle internal stress in a productive and healthy manner. If you’re interested in managing your internal stress in a team environment, schedule your training here.

To prepare Soldiers for the Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) program, Performance Experts led instruction during two events at the USARRTC. The first event, the AGRIT course, covered rights, roles, responsibilities, entitlements, services and benefits for the AGR Soldier and the units and Families they support. The second event, a block of training during the CCFSC, utilized the dice game ‘Stack Attack’ to exercise building mental strength, one of many skills needed as a Command Team. Missed these events or want similar training for your unit? Sign up to learn R2 skills here!

Master Resilience Trainers conducted three team building exercises to improve communication within the FSC. The training consisted of Soldiers sharing personal information to enhance trust, discussion on vulnerabilities, and effective communication when individuals are at a disadvantage. Soldiers learned how to have difficult conversations effectively and the unit commander testified that the team building was exactly what he was looking for. The unit not only learned valuable skills but had fun in the process.

The Leadership Strategies class focused on types of motivation using Self-Determination Theory, which encompasses three psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Discussions focused on leaders creating an environment where needs are met and how Soldiers motivate themselves. The second class included learning the three steps necessary to engage in Prosocial Behavior: awareness, responsibility, and planning. These skills and more will continue to be offered in future training programs; learn more here.

The purpose of the EIB is to recognize Infantrymen’s individual proficiency in locating, closing with, and destroying the enemy. The R2 training focused on increasing confidence, enhancing concentration, and maintaining composure in high-stress situations. Strategies to enhance memory were also included due to the intense nature of memorization needed within the weapons, medical, and patrol lanes of the test. Lastly, candidates were instructed to assemble/disassemble various weapons systems under time constraints while incorporating energy management techniques to lower their stress response and continue to perform optimally while under pressure. The Apache Company Commander felt candidates benefited greatly and the training helped them grow from good to great Soldiers.

The Soldiers participated in a two-part mindset training session. The first part focused on the relationship between physical and mental fitness and the second was an in-depth discussion on self-awareness. Soldiers gained greater insight into how these skills affect their overall performance and additional training is scheduled to further unit enhancement.

During the R2 training, teams of six cadets each carried mannequins through a course designed to test both physical exertion and psychological exercises at various cognitive workstations along the route. Deliberate breathing, attention control, and managing sleep were among the many skills tested. R2 experts were praised for the real-world drills and Cadets felt better prepared for the Ranger Challenge and other future competitions. Sign up to challenge yourself here.

Training sessions took place in the 1-27 ASB Motor Pool with the first two focused on a stress management technique called Hardiness. The three C’s of Hardiness: Commitment, Control, and Challenge (opportunity vs. threat) has proved to cushion the mental and physical impacts of stress. The third STT highlighted how performance is affected by awareness and application of a growth mindset. Schedule similar R2 training here.

As part of the Junior Leadership Academy initiative, R2 performance experts led the leadership workshop. The NCOs began by creating performance profiles, listing 10 characteristics of an effective leader, rating the overall importance for each characteristic, and rating themselves as to how effective they are in each one. The exercise led to in-depth discussions on effective and assertive communication and eventually, effective praise. These NCOs felt better equipped to lead their teams with their R2 training and will incorporate the newly learned skills as they assume leadership roles within the unit.

Soldiers participated in a modified Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) questionnaire to measure the use of psychological skills and strategies during ACFT. After 10 days of R2 classes on mindfulness, energy management, and goal setting, Soldiers took the modified TOPS questionnaire again to see how effective the classes were. Thanks to the newly learned mental skills applied from their performance training, the TOPS scores increased from 3.05 to 3.37. Soldiers felt the Health and Wellness Camp was successful and feel more prepared for the ACFT due to the help of their R2 training.

During an R2 training session, Soldiers learned critical mental skills such as growth mindset and internal motivation. Observing the training, Command Sgt. Maj. Philson Tavernier asked Soldiers questions regarding the mental skills materials, emphasized the importance of using R2 training to accomplish the mission, and recognized two Soldiers who answered the most questions correctly with a token of excellence. R2 training opportunities build better Soldiers and stronger units.

Divided into groups, Soldiers openly discussed their motivation and core values, the challenges of adversity, leading to feeling further connected with their battle buddies. Discussions on optimism and avoiding thinking traps (such as redirecting habitual thinking) allowed the group to learn growth mindset techniques and how to use their energy effectively. Soldiers emerged with a deeper appreciation for their teammates, the unit, and prepared to meet the challenge of the restructure.

A Performance Expert from Fort Campbell’s R2PC designed and led the training in support of the unit’s Platoon Leader Academy. The training presented officers with a series of challenges focused on problem solving, effective communication, and energy management. Success in these areas equals success at JRTC.

While conducting the march, Platoon Leaders navigated through a series of challenging resilience exercises which tested their leadership abilities including:

• Landmine Maze – “Clear Named Area of Interest (NAI)”
• 3-in-1 Cognitive Challenge Gauntlet – “Conduct Land Use (L/U) with 3-187 IN Platoon”
• Heavy Traffic Jam – “Water Resupply Mission”
• Leader Pentaminoes – “Establish Objective Rally Point (ORP)”

Leading a platoon through a JRTC rotation is a daunting challenge. Training with PEs helps Soldiers, leaders, and units meet and overcome challenges.

The training focused on unit cohesion, empathy, and effective communication with Soldiers using a combination of in-depth discussions, question and answer sessions, and videos to identify strategies for building better connections, whether at work or at home. Army Reserve and National Guard units can coordinate with their closest R2 Performance Center for customized performance and resilience training and education that enables Soldiers to sustain personal readiness, enhance resilience, optimize human performance, and build unit cohesion. Find your nearest R2PC here.

League of Legends is a multi-player online game that requires players to build teams and communicate effectively. To improve the team’s performance, members received training on mental skills such as goal setting and mindset, along with several team building exercises. To help replicate their competitive environment, the sessions were conducted via Discord, a platform commonly used for communicating during online gaming. The team’s training included 24 match observations, 15 mastery sessions, and a one day in-person escape room exercise. Data from the program showed positive results, giving Army eSports Soldiers the skills needed for future success and victory.

Prior to heading out, a R2 Performance Expert (PE) from Fort Stewart’s R2 Performance Center assisted Soldiers in developing a list of values. During the march Soldiers took turns leading and carrying the list. Having it inspired leaders to be more encouraging to others and motivated the group to finish at a faster pace. After the march was complete, reviewing the exercise led to further discussions on goal setting, internal motivation, and the importance of values for Soldiers and the unit.

Performance Experts led Soldiers through a series of mental skills exercises at the firing range allowing them to optimize their overall performance. Understanding the challenges in qualifying and using them as opportunities to improve and succeed assisted the Soldiers in attaining a 94% qualification rate.

A Master Resilient Trainer-Performance Expert from the Post’s R2 Performance Center led Soldiers through a series of classes focused on new techniques to identify deficiencies and detect shortcomings during an operation, the OODA loop (observe, orient, decide, act), and exercises on Imagery and Memory Hacks. The training assisted Soldiers in passing the course with a 90% graduation rate and earning their coveted Air Assault Wings.

Soldiers were taught mental skills in the classroom and during practice in preparation for the Armed Forces Softball Tournament. Learning to handle pressures from competition on the field and building a stronger team environment applies to the sport and Army life. Discussions on the value of culture and exercises on how to overcome the 5 dysfunctions of a team were key components of the training. The team was strengthened with new skills in developing trust, accountability, and team cohesion, and utilized them while winning a bronze medal at the Championship.

A fan of R2 training, Secretary Wormuth watched as a Performance Expert led Soldiers through a series of classes to include Identifying the Four Sources of Confidence (personal experience, physical state, vicarious experience and persuasion), Training Performance Criteria, Identifying Their Why, and Deliberate Breathing. The Soldiers implemented what they’d learned to successfully complete the challenging confidence course, a significant milestone during Basic Combat Training.

During the company’s Leader Time Training, Soldiers completed physical and mental stations that focused on increasing trust, enhancing communication, and bolstering leadership development. After the stations were complete, Performance Experts from the center debriefed each group, discussing how their experience related to working together to accomplish their mission.

Each dental clinic took part in two different training sessions. During the first session, Performance Experts (PEs) assigned to Fort Stewart’s R2 Performance Center introduced sport and performance psychology concepts and distributed the Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sports (MATS). The MATS questionnaire was used to gain clearer insight into the dimensions of each clinic allowing the PEs to tailor follow-up team cohesion workshops to fit the specific needs of each clinic. After scoring each individual questionnaire, a second training was delivered to each clinic focusing on specific areas of team improvement that could be positively impacted by the incorporation of mental performance enhancement skills. During the month-long series of workshops, the DENTAC teams engaged in a wide range of performance-specific discussions that both increased their team cohesion and ability to provide services to the Fort Stewart community.

To complete the obstacle course, Troopers worked in teams to successfully navigate three stations that challenged them both physically and mentally. Unit leadership worked closely with Performance Experts (PEs) from Fort Hood's R2 Performance Center to design the course. PEs observed the teams as they worked together to execute the task and debriefed the teams’ experience at the end. Completing the course reinforced the importance of teamwork and the idea that each member of the team is an asset that impacts unit readiness and lethality.

Based on feedback from last year’s conference, Performance Experts from JBLM’s R2 Performance Center led Soldiers through a series of classes and exercises that provided insights into how their thoughts affected their emotional and physical responses, how to effectively combat the negativity bias which affects ascertaining an accurate picture of events, and the basic neuroscience of the brain. Soldiers also learned how to use a deliberate thought process to focus on positive goal setting and prevent creating blind spots and focusing on the wrong goals.

Performance Experts (PEs) from Fort Knox’s R2 Performance Center, and PEs from other installations, work right alongside the Cadets providing vital skills training to assist them with successfully negotiating and completing each task. If the challenge is going off the rappel tower, PEs are there to provide tools for visualizing or talking through rappelling down the wall. ACFT at 0400? PEs are there providing insights on energy management and other skills to aid in passing the test. Whether the challenge is Land Navigation, dealing with CS gas, completing the confidence course, or excelling in a leadership position, PEs are providing support wherever and whenever Cadets are training.

Performance Experts (PEs) from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s R2 Performance Center provided training on enhancing memorization, test and note-taking strategies to aid in increasing Soldiers’ ability to execute pre-jump commands from memory and to increase scores on the nomenclature and written exams. PEs also taught mental performance skills to address the high cognitive load and stress present during the Jumpmaster course.

R2 skills trained included attention control and energy management. The team was later invited to the unit’s “Saddle Call” and was recognized with a certificate of appreciation for its efforts and support in training the paratroopers. Directly following this training, the Commander and Performance Expert coordinated and planned additional R2 performance training sessions for 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment.

The PEs separated the unit into small teams to complete separate tasks that helped the entire unit solve a final puzzle. Each time a team completed a task successfully, they were given a clue needed to complete the final puzzle. The unit was given a time deadline to complete each task, acquire all clues, and communicate to solve the final puzzle together. Teams needed to rely on trust and communication that their battle buddies on separate teams were doing their part to enable the unit to successfully complete the mission.

Based on the results of previous competitions, the 39th Brigade Engineer Battalion teamed up with Fort Campbell’s R2 Performance Center to provide skills training on deliberate breathing, control the controllables, teamwork/communication, and positive imagery. During the month prior to the competition, the battalion’s four teams integrated the skills training into their morning physical training regimen alternating physical and mental challenges. The results were impressive: the 2021 Fort Campbell Best Sapper winning team and three of the top 20 teams were all from the Bull-Strike Battalion.

Insights into available resources included: Academic Performance Training, Expectation Management, Mindsets, Team Building, Master Resilience Trainer Skills, Stress Management/Energy Management, other Performance Enhancement skills and training, and Engage. The MSAD, hosted by Fort Jackson’s Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major, emphasizes the importance of spouses, different types of marriages, and the roles and impact of spouses on military service.

Soldiers were provided training in Energy Management, Building Confidence, and Attention Control. Sixty-eight Soldiers from other units including the 35th Combat Support and Sustainment Battalion, I-Corps Forward, USARJ Band, and members from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Bilateral Co-Operative Exchange Program also took advantage of the training leading to a day of successful weapons qualification ranges.

Performance Experts (PEs) from U.S. Army Japan’s R2 Performance Center provided training on the importance of managing expectations, skills to maintain composure, the value of watching other groups execute the roll-over battle drills, and team communication. Groups that worked closely with the PEs were able to exit the vehicle in a timely, efficient manner, with zero injuries, highlighting the importance of communication skills in an emergency.

Class 100 of the Co-Op program received training on effective coaching, providing effective feedback, and motivation. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for JGSDF Officers and NCOs to improve bilateral relations, enhance English comprehension skills, learn about the U.S. Army and American culture, get familiarized with U.S. Army doctrine and techniques, and educate U.S. Army Japan NCOs and Officers about Japan and JGSDF. The long-running program is celebrating its 26th year.

R2PC Performance Experts taught Soldiers strategies to structure physical training (PT) to be more enjoyable, develop a growth mindset about physical training, and how to craft a mental game to distract themselves from counter-productive thoughts during challenging exercises including solving a combination lock puzzle while holding a plank. HHC USARJ plans to incorporate future iterations of the training with the company’s PT program to provide Soldiers both the physical and mental skills and toughness needed to not just pass but excel on the ACFT.

The course induced stress and frustration by adding additional rules and creating an atmosphere of ambiguity. After completing the course, the MRT-PEs led an in-depth debrief linking three topics, confidence, concentration, and composure, to the obstacles the Cadets endured. To enhance the lessons learned on the course, Cadets participated in classroom discussions on the Thought-Performance Connection: how to use thoughts more effectively and increase confidence, how to shift attention from distractions to targets by using cue-words, and techniques to increase or decrease energy activation based on any given performance, including priming emotions and deliberate breathing. These tools will enhance the Seminole Cadets ability to complete this summer’s CST.

The program’s goals include instilling a sense of purpose and providing formal and informal opportunities to integrate skills on Goal Setting, Communication, Mindfulness, Energy, and Connection in an outdoor setting. Without a sense of purpose, STs can suffer from behavioral health issues or physical ailments that often prolong their recovery. Hands-on activities such as gardening can provide a much-needed sense of purpose and build resilience.

Going forward, a collaborative effort between the Fort Bragg R2PC, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, and the North Carolina State Agriculture Department will bring in Master Gardeners to provide lectures on gardening and growing plants to provide opportunities for ST’s who are hoping to make farming part of their life and career after transitioning from the Army.

The 1-4 CAV’s Chaplain reached out to the post’s R2 Performance Center to incorporate resilience and performance skills during the ride. Performance Experts from the center provided instruction and feedback as part of the Mental Challenge Lane. Troopers were trained on Energy Management, Attention Control, Stress Management, and Communications skills aimed at helping them meet the different challenges and earn their spurs.

Soldiers learned techniques for Action Control, Energy Management, and Effective Communication. Each is vital to success during the highly fluid and dynamic training environment found during certification. Field Artillery units are required to shoot, move, and communicate on a continual basis and require clear and concise communication, particularly between the FDC and the gun line. A 24-hour mission, Table XII is intended to create a realistic, stressful training environment. Training from the R2PC on energy management allowed Soldiers to lower their anxiety and focus on their performance. When the call came down, “rounds complete,” the Steel Dragons of Charlie Battery were fully qualified and ready to perform their real-world mission.

Tailoring the training for specific groups, Master Resilience Trainer-Performance Expert John Avritt delivered classes on Mental Skills, Goal Setting, Attention Control, and Mechanical and Motivational Cues. Transitioning from the classroom to the gunnery range, R2PC experts provided mini lessons on Deliberate Breathing, Imagery, and a review of Attention Control techniques. The results were impressive with every team qualifying on their first run and the Goons of 3rd Platoon scoring the highest average in the battalion; the only platoon to average distinguished. Third platoon bought-in to the skills training from the start and were rewarded for their focus. The 1-5 CAV commander Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong recognized the company’s efforts stating that they outperformed the other companies and that 3rd platoon stood out for their distinguished scores. Focused training that includes Mental and Performance Skills equals successful mission accomplishment.

Classes on Imagery, Mindfulness, and Academic Performance skills supplemented the musical skills development. Several Soldiers developed a strong sense of connection with the band, with one mentioning that the course helped with reintegrating into working with a group, a goal his therapist had encouraged him to pursue, and another hoping to continue to perform with others after transitioning from the Army. The 6th iteration of the program is currently underway.

Prior to executing the event, Soldiers were given classes on communicating effectively, vital to success while conducting high-tempo operations. During the actual live fire, Soldiers were taught deliberate breathing techniques to bring their anxiety levels down, helping them to perform optimally and effectively. Troop leadership specifically highlighted the efforts of Fort Hood’s R2PC as an important component of the unit’s successful completion of the exercises and in for use in future operations.

During previous EIB/ESB iterations, the unit leadership had identified that mental skills training plays a role in a Soldier’s success at EIB or ESB. Incorporating the mental skills provided by the EPEs, the Soldiers identified areas and EIB/ESB tasks that may require mental skills to be successful and were given the opportunity to practice the skills with specific tasks such as land navigation, and weapons disassemble/reassemble. Following testing, data demonstrated that R2-trained candidates had a higher pass rate than those without. Most notably, R2-trained E1-E4 EIB candidates were twice as likely to earn their badge than those without R2 training.

Over the three-day program, Soldiers alternate between a one-hour physical readiness training with H2F SCC or H2F AT and a one-hour mental readiness training with MRT-PE, H2F OT, or H2F RD. During Mindset and Energy Management sessions, Soldiers participate in physically active challenges centered around the day’s topic, followed by a brief lesson, discussion activity, and strategies to take away. An informational handout including topics and strategies from all three mental readiness trainings throughout the week is provided on the last day of training.

The event, coined “Hammer Drop”, was designed to showcase military platforms and equipment in hopes of sparking excitement while building camaraderie. The “Corporate” helium stick team-building activity was developed with three target areas in mind. The first target area was designed to teach teamwork along with resilience and performance enhancement skills. The second and third target areas involved observing trainees executing the exercise while the drill sergeants involved observed trainee communication, self-awareness, mindsets and character strengths. This event served to motivate Soldiers, thus giving them something to look forward to as they exited isolation and commenced their BCT training.

The Attention Control (Segmenting) skill was particularly emphasized because it is extremely effective for Soldiers to use during highly challenging physical activities of relatively long duration. Other R2 skills trained included deliberate breathing, proactive ATC, motivation, imagery, and mental cues.

During the prep day, mental skills and techniques such as imagery (mind-body connection) and body awareness to help refine motor skills to lessen error range, were taught to help with the Deadlift and Standing Power Throw events of the AFCT. After skill application, a discussion took place about fighting against counterproductive attitudes how they can sabotage time and effort in the gym.

Leaders were asked to identify six values, and while paired up with a partner, discuss their values while completing exercises at five various exercise stations. Once all stations in the circuit were completed, leaders were given strategies on how to maintain a strong team. Leaders walked away understanding the importance of developing stronger and more meaningful connections across companies to bring the battalion closer together as a high-performing team.

The course includes learning fundamental counseling techniques, resilience skills, and practical activities that are based on the skills outlined in ATP 6-22.1. Participants are involved in scenario-based counseling sessions for each skill, encouraging practical application of concepts while receiving ongoing feedback, and improving their understanding of human behavior.

Soldiers could use to enhance the way they coach, teach, and mentor those they lead. The R2 skills trained included: mindset, philosophy of excellence, authentic performances, motivation, goal setting, effective praise, attention control, cue words/phrases, WIN, AIR, building confidence, reinterpreting pressure, purposeful thinking, selective perception, energy management, sleep, deliberate breathing, control the controllables, and Engage.

Trainer Resilience Training Assistant (RTA) Certification training with Soldiers of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade using a virtual platform. Students learned the theory behind the MRT skills, conducted a practical hands-on exercise, and discussed what would be expected of students as RTAs and ways they can incorporate the MRT skills to enhance their readiness and resilience. The MRT-PEs have also been training Soldiers from various locations across Europe.

Battalion training activities included challenging missions such as Bradley dismounts, route clearance, maintenance and security. PEs observed and provided on-the-spot feedback, effective communication strategies and guidance on the negative effects of stress. Before going on the mission, Bradley crews practiced identifying potential threats and communicating those potential threats to leadership. Soldiers learned how deliberate breathing can help them regain composure and how to restore effective communication with the crew, as well as ways that PEs can help them with future training exercises. The R2 skills trained included: communication, energy management, and imagery.

The workshops help to support and accelerate the Soldiers’ recoveries and impact the effectiveness of their coping processes. Attendees reported feeling positive changes in their emotional states, saying they felt more determined, hopeful and optimistic following the training. The R2 skills trained included: motivation, goal setting (WOOP), fixed and growth mindsets, deliberate breathing, and cultivating gratitude (Hunt the Good Stuff).

The gunnery included tank crews from 3-15 IN and 6-8 CAV. This brigade-level training allowed for a comparison between tank companies with and without Performance Experts (PEs). While causality cannot be determined, the company utilizing PEs averaged 63 points higher than those without support. In addition, the company receiving performance training had a significantly higher first-time qualification rate at 66% as compared to the company without performance training at 44%.

R2 Performance Center team. Fort Belvoir’s bowling center provided a unique opportunity to conduct a monthly training while instilling team building. The unit MRTs reviewed the resilience skills of Activating Event, Thoughts, Consequences (ATC), Real-Time Resilience (RTR), and Effective Praise and Energy Management. Soldiers were then divided into four teams where they competed against each other by lobbing counterproductive thoughts at other bowlers while themselves utilizing RTR to remain focused on their own bowling.

Team tasks focused on trust, vulnerability, getting outside one’s comfort zone, belonging, coping with “uncontrollables,” and effective communication strategies. The company commander commented: "The exercises effectively addressed what first sergeant and I were looking to train: teamwork, espirit de corps, connectedness and leadership.”