What are your thoughts on making a 40 hour block on addiction?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 20:16:53 -0400

I ask this because I have seen first hand the complete lack of knowledge leaders have on this subject. I believe it would make us all understand the disease and positive ways to deal with individuals suffering.

Response by MAJ Steve Sheridan made May 2 at 2014 8:09 AM

MAJ Steve Sheridan — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:09:51 -0400

I'm all for education. The challenging part is finding the time to fit into all our other required training.

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made May 2 at 2014 8:21 AM

SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:21:03 -0400

We don't even get a 40 hour block of instruction on SHARP, EO, TBI many other things that are a much larger issue at present for our military in general. So a block of instruction, sure, 40 hours, no.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 11:49 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 11:49:31 -0400

I understand the need for awareness, but coming from TRADOC I've seen that training alone is rarely the answer. My thoughts on this are that we have experts for a reason - those people at the drug and alcohol abuse centers - and it quickly becomes a bridge too far to require all Soldiers or even just those in leadership positions to become experts on everything.

Training time quickly adds up for tasks not related to our primary duties. Take the case of resilience training (36 hours per year), which is already an entire workweek "lost" to training a skill set not tied to our wartime mission. Add to that SHARP, EO, suicide prevention, cold/hot weather training, and so forth, and you've knocked out probably at least 2-3 weeks out of the year.

Topics such as these are important, but we don't have the time to devote to train every commander and first line leader in these topics. We're better off learning how to use the resources already available, and trying to change the mindset to that of understanding so we can allow Soldiers to make use of such resources. A shorter block of instruction, or better yet awareness campaigns run through garrison command, would be more effective and also save valuable training time.