Page 113 - JSOM Fall 2020

TABLE 1 CHAMP Spirituality and Performance Coaching Grid (SPCG)
Recording Goals and Observations Related to Interest and Commitment
Declining Interest or Maintaining Interest or Growing Interest or Implications for
Scales Commitment Commitment Commitment Performance & Well-Being
PMVP

SSGG This and adjacent blocks to Blocks in this final column
be completed by the MSM, allow the MSM and a SF/
if applicable. Notes may SP coach to add narrative
include observations on context and a performance
static and changing levels of trajectory to any goals/
commitment to spirituality observations recorded in the
as measured by the 3 SSFS row. What implications do
subscales, using an initial those goals/observations have
SSFS profile as a baseline. on overall well-being, and on
Goals to support maintenance preparation for performance
or growth may also/instead be in the specific roles the MSM
listed, perhaps with the input holds on specific teams?
of a SF/SP coach.
PCHP

which might indicate the need for one-to-one SF/SP coaching; indicated in the majority of SPCG forms, this chaplain con-
or (3) both. A coaching tool like the SPCG is highly recom- cludes that this particular program is one which clearly sup-
mended to accompany the SSFS because of the occasional dif- ports SF/SP, and therefore POTFF/TFF. In addition, the SPCG
ficulty in rendering clear valence judgments about scores and forms will provide the unit chaplain with important context
movements in personal profiles, especially when considering for indications of this growth, and the contextual data will al-
the PCHP subscale. For example, higher scores on the PCHP low the chaplain to make future adjustments to programming
subscale should not necessarily be seen as “good,” and vice based on specific feedback from the unit about their unique
versa. It is possible for SOF Operators/MSM to lose interest understandings and needs related to SSGG. Last, the chaplain
in or commitment to a higher power, yet feel that this is part notes a few comments on the SPCG forms which indicate that
of a greater spiritual growth. The final column of the SPCG, certain operators who participated in the program might ben-
labeled “Implications for Performance & Well-Being,” allows efit from the offer of an individualized coaching encounter.
narrative to be added for context, and such movements can
inform the supportive work of local SF stakeholders. Continuous program improvement is possible if anchored by
the underlying constructs integral to the SSFS. If a chaplain
The following example clearly demonstrates one possible ap- or other SF/SP stakeholder in a unit or region has permission
plication and the benefits of using of the SSFS and SPCG in to responsibly retain identifiable data on file for each person
tandem. After administering the SSFS to a small and special- participating in the local or regional SF/SP program (i.e., SSFS
ized unit, a chaplain serving within the SOF community no- profiles and SPCG forms), they could offer tailored coaching
tices that more than two-thirds of the unit has a pronounced for individuals with certain upcoming operations, activities
interest in spirituality, as measured by the SSGG subscale. and relationships in mind. Tailored coaching that relies upon
Realizing that the unit is preparing for a standing humani- multi-dimensional personal profiles and follow-on tools to de-
tarian service mission, the chaplain surmises that a program termine movement and growth is an indispensable activity in
designed to support SSGG could both align with the spiritual every domain of POTFF and TFF. The SSFS offers this possi-
interests of the unit and strengthen their preparation for the bility to all SOF operators and MSM across the SF/SP domain.
deployment. Accordingly, the chaplain organizes a volunteer
community service opportunity to respond to medical and Summary
housing needs for a vulnerable population in the region. After
three trips to provide services and an invitation to the partici- The SSFS is a concise, reliable, and valid measurement tool
pating SOF operators to debrief their experiences as a project aligned with the CJCSI definition for SF and the SP of POTFF.
team, the chaplain asks participants to revisit the SSGG sub- Each of the three subscales addresses a particular dimension of
scale questions and to make notes on the SPCG form. With the spirituality and represents one of three core factors underlying
aid of the SPCG form, each participant has an opportunity to the hundreds of scale items related to spirituality available in
consider how they have grown in their commitment to SSGG the public domain. The PMPV subscale measures an interest
during the program activity, or how they have grown in their in or commitment to the Pursuit of Meaning, Purpose, and
understanding of the importance of SSGG to their identity as a Values. The SSGG subscale measures an interest in or com-
member of the SOF community. All forms indicating advance- mitment to Service and Sacrifice for the Greater Good. The
ment along the SSGG subscale should be seen as indicators of PCHP subscale measures an interest in or commitment to a
spiritual growth. Since the unit chaplain notes that growth is Personal Connection with a Higher Power. Aside from being

Applications of the SOCOM Spiritual Fitness Scale | 111