Page 114 - JSOM Spring 2021

of SP are applicable to both theists and nontheists, which ex- trends over time. Chaplains can also use the SSFS to assess a
tends the reach of chaplains as SP/SF professionals to SOF and sample population among their constituents to gather evidence
all other military Servicemembers (MSMs) and their families. on the general spiritual interests and needs of their particular
This is important as religiosity declines within American so- population, which will then inform prioritization of spiritual
ciety in general. In addition, aligning with the three core at- interventions, programs, and services. However, the SSFS sub-
5
tributes will allow chaplains to firmly enfranchise within the scales can also be used individually for evaluating programs
work of SP/SF certain roles and activities that have historically and services. If a particular program is designed to foster
belonged to chaplains, but which are no longer necessarily as- growth in a certain core attribute of SF/SP, the SSFS subscale
sociated with religion in public discourse. Alignment with the corresponding to this core attribute may be used in the process
core attributes will allow chaplains to be proactive, designing of gathering participant feedback – in which case chaplains
and evaluating programs and services aiding long-term per- may wish to extend the Likert options and use a pre/post for-
formance and well-being, rather than primarily serving those mat. In any of these SSFS uses, chaplains can use a companion
who may be distressed spiritually. tool such as the Spirituality and Performance Coaching Grid
(SPCG) to capture narrative feedback corresponding to SSFS
The first attribute, Personal Connection with a Higher Power item responses (Table 1). 3
(PCHP), applies only to theists and is strongly associated with
religiosity. Programs designed to maintain and strengthen this Assessment
attribute will naturally be associated with the work of mil-
itary chaplains. However, the Pursuing Meaning, Purpose, Assessment is always key to showing the benefits and ROI
and Values (PMPV) attribute applies to theists and nonthe- for any and all programs. Unfortunately, such metrics are not
ists alike, and its emergence as a unique factor during the re- always in place. HPO efforts require metrics to show ROI,
search project provided an evidence base to support proactive despite lack of agreement on the best metric. We believe the
POTFF and CJCSI-aligned SP/SF programs and services. Such SSFS fills that gap, as it allows chaplains to show someone has
programs could be designed to aid moral and ethical develop- “grown” or “returned to normal” hopefully rather than show-
ment and advisement among all SOF/MSMs – whether they ing “nothing has happened.” Our SSFS will allow chaplains,
are theists or not. and likely others, to show a ROI or at least some type of actual
change based on an intervention. A sample scenario follows
The third attribute—Service and Sacrifice for the Greater below to illustrate how a chaplain aligning with the three core
Good (SSGG)—applies to all SOF/MSMs, and its emergence attributes of SF/SP can leverage the SSFS to assess baseline unit
as a key factor also provided an evidence base to support SP/ needs, conceive and develop evidence-based initiatives, con-
SF programs. Such proactive programs could include relation- duct rolling program assessments, and assess program efficacy
ship enhancement, family enrichment, character development to inform key leaders and collaborators.
for self-donation, cultural awareness and enhancement, team-
building among SOF/MSMs, and community service. By using Sample Scenario
the scale before a program, the ROI from participation in such
a program could be quantified as well as qualified. After becoming familiar with the SSFS and its development,
and in consultation with her supervisory chaplain and unit
By aligning SP/SF programming with a clear evidence base – leadership, Chaplain Jones decided to align her unit’s SP/SF
i.e., with the three core attributes, including their correspond- program with the three core attributes. She quickly realized
ing properties and correlations – chaplains would be empow- that nearly all of her existing work in the unit already corre-
ered to immediately begin conducting relevant assessments sponded with one or more of these attributes.
among constituents. The SSFS is capable of measuring growth/
change across all three core attributes. If the three subscales To ascertain how much emphasis to place on each of the
are used together, the results yield multidimensional SP/SF three core attributes within her overall SP/SF program, she
baselines for individuals that can be monitored to capture decided to work with her enlisted counterpart to (a) develop

TABLE 1 A Place to Insert Notes Related to Interest and Commitment in the Three Core Attributes: The Spirituality and Performance
Coaching Grid (SPCG) for Qualitative Assessments 3
Recently Recently
Declining Interest Growing Interest
or Commitment Stable Interest or Commitment or Commitment Stable Interest or Commitment

PMVP
This and adjacent blocks to be completed Blocks in this final column allow SOF/MSMs
by SOF/MSMs, if applicable. Notes may and an SP/SF coach to add narrative context
include observations on stable and changing and a performance trajectory to any goals/
levels of commitment to the Three Core observations recorded in the row. What
SSGG
Attributes, by using an initial SSFS profile as implications do those goals/observations have
a baseline. Goals to support maintenance or on overall well-being, and on preparing for
growth may also/instead be listed, perhaps performance in the specific roles the
with the input of a SP/SF coach. SOF/MSMs hold on specific teams?
PCHP
PMPV = Pursuing Meaning, Purpose, and Values, SSGG = Service and Sacrifice for the Greater Good, PCHP = Personal Connection with a
Higher Power, SOF = Special Operations Forces, MSM = military Servicemember, SSFS = SOCOM Spiritual Fitness Scale, SP/SF = Spiritual
Performance/Spiritual Fitness.

110 | JSOM Volume 21, Edition 1 / Spring 2021