Page 107 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Spring 2015

Table 3 Quotation by a Senior Operational Leader moment, dampen the unfolding (over)reaction. Paying
attention with intention allows for greater control and
“Mindfulness training not only countered the detrimental
effects caused by stress and fatigue, but also reinforced insight into oneself. Mindfulness removes the need to la­
strategic leadership competencies, including identity, mental bel a response as good or bad, and allows one to observe
agility, and cross-cultural savvy.” and intentionally self­regulate. Again, for audio (mind­
COL David Hodne, Commander, ful eating and drinking) and video activities relating to
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team* mindfulness, visit hprc­online.org.
Note: *COL Hodne served in special operations and conventional
units deploying in support of both OEF and OIF from 2002 through Other applications of mindfulness include its use as an
2012. While assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion and the 75th Ranger
Regiment (2002–2007), he deployed as a Ranger Battalion Liaison Of­ intervention for pain, decision­making, and reducing
ficer, Joint Special Operations Planner, Battalion Operations Officer, stress, for example; however, this article is intended to
and Battalion Executive Officer. COL Hodne also commanded twice at give an overview, and to be broad, rather than deep.
the battalion level in combat. He first commanded the 3rd Squadron,
4th US Cavalry in Iraq (2008–2009), and subsequently returned to Af­ Importantly, it must also be recognized that mindfulness
ghanistan while commanding the 2nd Ranger Battalion (2010–2012). will not work for everything, and it may not suit every­
one. However, it can be both a tool or skill and a way of
or drinking to mitigate the reality of “mindless” over­ living. Natural mindfulness, as noted, is a way of being,
indulgences. In fact, MT is being used as a therapeu­ whereas MT is an intervention to teach someone how to
tic intervention for weight loss, 4,53 with some success. become more mindful to improve a variety of life experi­
For audio activities relating to “mindfulness,” please ences and activities.
visit the Consortium for Health and Military Perfor­
mance (CHAMP) Human Performance Resource Center How do you find an MT course or training in mindful­
(HPRC) at hprc­online.org and search on mindfulness ness? Currently, a number of MT programs are available.
to find all the information available. As mentioned, MBSR, which is sometimes considered
meditation training, was originally developed by Dr Jon
Importantly, mindfulness may help with relationships, Kabat­Zinn at the University of Massachusetts for pain
parenting, and child rearing. With regard to all three, it management and anxiety disorders in the 1980s 48,56,57
is easy to focus on the reactions or responses we want or and is available at many clinical sites and has been used
expect from our significant other, peer, or child in vari­ in the military setting. Another MT program used in the
ous situations in which we react customarily, or through military is Mindfulness­Based Mind Fitness Training, a
habit, without thinking. Mindfulness approaches encour­ 24­hour course offered by Dr Elizabeth Stanley’s Mind
age switching the focus to our own self­control by being Fitness Training Institute, in Alexandria, Virginia. 58,59
intentionally aware, moment­to­moment, and “paying These courses typically involve in­person instruction
attention” with a specific and positive attitude (e.g., from trained experts for extended periods of time (24
calmness or gratitude). For example, when a child acts hours or more plus daily practice) and are usually of­
inappropriately, such as throwing toys around, learning fered at only a few medical and training centers. The in­
to take a deep breath, and calmly, gracefully, and respect­ vestment of time limits its applicability in providing such
fully, in a mindful way, leading them to put the toys away a promising resource to SOF operators and families.
where they belong, should improve outcomes for parent
and child alike. In parenting or dealing with children, Dr Amishi Jah, a well­known mindfulness researcher
54
it is also important that we encourage children to engage at the University of Miami, is investigating questions
in mindful activities, like creative imaginative play (e.g., regarding other models for delivering her Mindfulness­
building forts, making bread, planting seeds, discovering Based Attention and Training, including the following:
nature, being outdoors, painting, participating in other (1) Is an 8­hour experiential training period as effective
arts and crafts, playing an instrument, playing sports). as a didactic and experiential 24­hour program? (2)
These are the substrates for deliberate daydreaming, a Will an Internet­facilitated, expert­delivered MT course
part of the creative endeavor, whereas mindless or pas­ be as effective as an in­person course? (3) Are similar
sive play (e.g., videos or television) is not. benefits attained when nonexpert trainers (i.e., military
54
members or spouses) deliver MT? (4) Do benefits differ
Finally, mindfulness can be very effective for emotional when peers conduct MT, rather than experts? These are
self­regulation. Teper et al. 24,55 have shown that mind­ all very important questions to address. Interestingly,
fulness can help people learn to “observe their emo­ her most recent work suggests that an 8­hour, 8­week
tional experiences without trying to change them.” For practice/experience­focused MT program bolstered at­
example, in a fit of unanticipated anger or emotional tentional performance more than a didactic­focused
1
upheaval, being mindful can help one pay attention to program. For more information regarding these re­
how the body is responding and observe the emerg­ search initiatives, please visit Dr Jha’s website at http://
ing emotions without judgment, and then, moment by www.amishi.com/lab/mbat_project/.

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