Out of This World

Video by Courtesy

2024 H2F Symposium Break Out Session: Spiritual Wellness A Foundation for Health and Fitness

U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training

May 1, 2024 | 23:05

I saw a gap in our capabilities during my assignment as Command Chaplain for 1st Special Forces Command (A). USASOC has the HPW (Human Performance and Wellness), the SOF version of H2F. We had professional strength coaches and other professionals. I was in charge of 52 Chaplains, and all were doing great things, but there was no unified program to strengthen the “Spiritual Core” or “Soul.” Building on the work of Dr. Lisa Miller (Columbia U) and others, I developed and implemented the Spiritual Performance Guide (SPG) as well as various Spiritual Performance Plans (SPP) that could be tailored and updated by SMs to align with their “Soul Goals.”

1st Special Forces Group, USASOC, SOCOM, and the Air Force and Navy are adapting parts of the model for their training after training at the Joint Special Operations University. I have introduced this Spiritual Development model in small and large groups (SOF and Conventional units).
I continue building out various SPP templets made from Chaplains of other faith backgrounds. I have 5-10 different SPPs and other planning templates for use and am curating and adapting some other products, Apps, and videos for using SMs and Family Spiritual Development.
The Spiritual Performance program provides tools for Chaplains and Religious Affairs to help SMs and families create personal plans to support and strengthen their Spiritual Development goals.