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is negatively correlated with stress at r = –0.43 and with lone- members were pleasantly surprised to hear SP/SF so crisply
liness at r = –0.38. 4 defined, with an appeal to a unified, DoD-wide standard that
equally enfranchised theist and nontheists. They were also im-
Two MSMs who participated in Chaplain Jones’ first offering pressed with her ability to address such a complex and elusive
of the training asked her for follow-up one-to-one spiritual aspect of human wellness with clarity and straightforward-
coaching sessions related to PMVP. Both gave her permission ness. They inquired about her assessments and had questions
to label and securely file their posttraining SFCG submissions, about her other programs. They also asked her opinion about
so that they could revisit the SFCG comments together in pri- the role of SP/SF in supporting the POTFF program and in
vate consultation. maintaining TFF in the region. She explained that a decline
in SP/SF would likely manifest in eroding 1) religious com-
After five iterations of her training initiative, Chaplain Jones mitment (specifically for theists – measurable on the PCHP
was able to demonstrate in a presentation to her supervisory subscale), 2) pursuit of purpose and alignment with ultimate
chaplain that, of the 60 MSMs who participated in her initia- values (measurable on the PMPV subscale), and 3) commit-
tive, 48 grew in the PMPV trait. She created a slide highlight- ment to altruism, sacrificial service, and self-donation in re-
ing her 80% success among a significant portion of her MSM, lationships (measurable on the SSGG subscale). At the end of
which featured (a) numbers from the subscale comparisons, the presentation, two members of the committee ask her to
(b) poignant quotes from the SPCG entries, and (c) the poten- present on the topic of SP/SF to a larger group of helping pro-
tial for growth in other wellness outcomes (supported by the fessionals, so they scheduled to meet later in the month.
research correlations).
Summary
Chaplain Jones had the chance to share her work with seven
members of a local multidisciplinary committee focused on The importance of spirituality as a pillar of human perfor-
total well-being among SOF and their families. The other mance is becoming increasingly clear. The SSFS metric can
be used to demonstrate growth/change as programs geared
toward SP/SF become more common. The military chaplain
serves an important role in the sustainment and enhancement
of SP/SF. This scenario above represents a broad example of
how a chaplain can begin to align SP/SF programs with the
three core attributes of SP/SF by using the SSFS as a quanti-
tative metric, and combining it with a companion tool, such
as the SPCG, for a qualitative assessment. As chaplains gain
familiarity with the SSFS, and if they become familiar with cre-
ative assessment strategies, they should be able to design many
applications of the SSFS. This will thereby achieve and demon-
strate far greater and more diverse effects than in the past.

Disclaimer
The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or po-
sition of the Uniformed Services University or the Department
of Defense. The contents of this publication are the sole re-
sponsibility of the authors and do not imply endorsement by
the US Government.

Disclosure
Chaplain Alexander and Dr Deuster have indicated they have
no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.
References
1. Worthington D, Deuster PA. Spiritual fitness: an essential compo-
nent of human performance optimization. J Spec Oper Med. 2018;
18(1):100–105.
2. Jonas WB, O’Connor FG, Deuster PA, Macedonia C. Total Force
Fitness for the 21st century: a new paradigm. Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences: Military Medicine; 2010.
3. Alexander DW. Applications of the SOCOM Spiritual Fitness
Scale: program development and tailored coaching for optimized
performance. J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(3):109–112.
4. Alexander DW, Abulhawa Z, Kazman J. The SOCOM Spiritual
DELTA Fitness Scale: measuring “vertical” and “horizontal” spirituality in
DEVELOPMENT TEAM the human performance domain. J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2020;74
(4):269–279.
5. Twenge J, Sherman R, Exline J, Grubbs JB. Declines in American
adult religious participation and beliefs, 1972–2014. SAGE Open.
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