After nearly nine years at war, the effects on troops have been apparent and in some cases tragic. The leadership has seen firsthand the importance of resiliency in order for soldiers to accomplish their mission and maintain the expected level of readiness.

“One proven tool is ensuring all servicemembers are ready to transition – mentally, spiritually, and embrace the host of programs that Fort Bragg has to offer them and their families,” said Gen. Helmick to Patch in Tuesday’s media roundtable.

Fort Bragg offers over 500 available programs to the military and their families. Just as warfare has changed over the years, so have the programs that have transformed to meet the needs and weather the rigors of war. 

“One day our soldiers can be in Baghdad on a counter indirect fire patrol, and five days later they can be back at Fort Bragg walking in a mall,” said Helmick. “The mental adjustment our soldiers have to make is pretty extreme and we’ve been good at that.”

The Army’s process for reintegration is deliberate and allows the soldiers to recover in order to prepare for their next mission. The existing reintegration program is mandatory for personnel upon redeployment regardless of rank.

The XVIII Airborne Corps has the contingency mission for the military- being the denied access, early force entry mission that is of the utmost importance.

“We have worked on a deliberate plan in order to train up in quick order; a capability for our leadership to have available in case something happens around the world, “ said Helmick as he explained why soldiers at Fort Bragg have the privilege of wearing a different colored beret and have chosen to be part of the brotherhood of paratroopers.

Having a number of resiliency sessions in Iraq already, personnel have been identified and received the proper training to reintegrate professionally. This even includes being retrained on parachute operations and procedures.

While Fort Bragg will always incur challenges like driving under the influence or spouse abuse, the programs in place are making a difference in the lives and families of soldiers. “It’s an emphasis on this command to do all we can,” said Helmick.