Page 68 - JSOM Summer 2019

dysfunction, substance abuse, anger, depression) by embody- having suboptimal personal character traits. SOF withstands
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ing tenets of positive psychology such as positive thinking and the highest operations tempo and fatalities in the military,
virtuousness. Moreover, we are unaware of Servicemembers while also being those least likely to seek help. 87–90 That said,
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whose suicides were caused by ingratitude, optional pessi- physical injuries, neurophysiological effects, skyrocketing sui-
mism, being less than a model citizen, or for not living one’s cide rates, and underexplored PTSD in SOF can be neither
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best life. Predetermining “resilience” as designated character fully explained nor mitigated by Servicemembers’ resilience.
strengths likely ostracizes nonconformists, given that posi- Current resilience and suicide prevention programs in the
tive psychology’s “classifying and characterizing of character military are influenced heavily by positive psychology para-
strengths and virtues provides a new regulatory tool for the digms in which pain and suffering are variables to be avoided,
use of selection, control, and discrimination.” For SOF and despite negative experiences being known essentials in over-
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SF in particular, whose raisons d’etre are to free the oppressed, coming trauma and for posttraumatic growth. Resilience in
nonconformity and independence are hallmarks of its citi- SOF must be studied by independent investigators researching
zenry, not undesirable traits. it with SOF personnel: granularly, with rigor, and then rigor-
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ously triangulated with valid PTSD and suicide data.
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Conclusion
Disclosures
Resilience is certainly an element contributing to overall well- The authors have indicated they have no financial relation-
ness and ability to withstand adversity. However, presenting ships relevant to this article to disclose.
resilience as something that can be built to reduce PTSD and
suicide implies those who suffer from combat stress reactions, Acknowledgment
chronic traumatic stress, or those who have considered or Dedicated to SO1 Ryan Francis Larkin. We are listening.
committed suicide are at fault for being low in resilience or

References available at: jsom.us/1903Rocklein#Refs
Appendix available at: jsom.us/1903Rocklein#Apdx

66 | JSOM Volume 19, Edition 2 / Summer 2019