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Unit 9 Assignment: Final Project

Jonathan Troop

Purdue University Global

HW410 Stress – Critical Issues in Management and Prevention

Dr. Dorette Nysewander

November 23, 2021

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Unit 9 Assignment: Final Project

Stress undoubtedly has drastic influence in everyone’s life and can reveal itself in a

number of ways. Additionally, this influence can result from countless sources and will not be

identical ranging from case to case. According to Seaward (2017), stress can be defined as “a

state of anxiety produced when events and responsibilities exceed one’s coping abilities.” It is

important to note that this result is not necessarily always a negative outcome and has the

potential to be used as a tool for personal development and even survival, tracing back to our

primal nature. For the purpose of this final assignment, I will be developing a stress management

and prevention program for the targeted audience of my professional community, members of

the 75th Ranger Regiment, a special operations organization that has no shortage of both internal

and external stressors on a day-to-day basis. This program will begin with the identification of

ten stressors that specifically apply to the community in consideration along with a brief

description of how they are important to this discussion. The contents of this essay will then shift

to a description of three techniques and strategies that will prove to be effective in achieving the

goal(s) of this program as well as how they can be most effectively implemented into a Ranger’s

life. The final topics that will be discussed will be potential obstacles faced when implementing

this program, health professionals that can aid in this process, and finally concluding with how

this program can best be measured in terms of its effectiveness and level of success. Through the

development and explanation of this program, Rangers will step away from this process more

readily equipped and prepared to manage and overcome the countless stressors that they face,

further aiding in their pursuit of a more balanced sense of holistic health, strong relationships,

and ultimate peace with their demanding lives.

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Explained Stressors and Their Importance

In the everyday life of a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, there exists a countless

number of potential stressors. In order to develop this stress management program most

effectively, I have narrowed this vast number down to ten specific factors that I believe best

capture the primary sources of stress within the population in consideration. The first on this list

just so happens to be one of the most prominent and can in many cases directly relate to the other

stressors that we will discuss, and this factor is the constant sense of uncertainty when it comes

to what the future holds as well as even how the current schedule may change in an instant. This

is undoubtedly a constant thought and concern within my community; however, we are

nevertheless expected to perform at our best and understand that these outcomes are just a part of

the profession. The second factor is the drastic amount of time spent away from family and other

loved ones while serving in the Regiment. This separation can come in many forms ranging from

deployments overseas to training events that take place at external locations away from our

footprint at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. I have personally witnessed the significant

amounts of stress that this time away can place on families and personal relationships, and it is

truly a heartbreaking reality. The next stressor (3) that we will discuss is that of the personal

sense of responsibility for other’s well-being as a leader in the Regiment. A common theme

within my community is that of how every Ranger is a leader, no matter if they are a decorated

colonel or a day-one private, and with this truth comes an assumed sense of responsibility for all

members to take care of one another and place other’s safety before your own. The fourth factor

is applicable to all members of the military yet is magnified by the increasing demand of special

operations and that is the stress regarding finances. This serves as a perfect example of how the
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first factor of uncertainty can play a role in influencing all aspects of a Ranger’s life. When

financial concerns become a significant issue, other important realms of life can potentially

suffer such as relationships, sleep, and even professional and physical performance. The fifth

stress factor is one that strikes a deep note with me on a personal level and that is the exposure to

traumatizing events. This harsh reality is unfortunately an unavoidable part of the profession yet

has the capacity to drastically affect any Ranger and their health. Trauma is detrimental and can

weigh extremely heavy especially when these outcomes are kept bottled up inside.

Unfortunately, there are still many members of my community who are afraid to admit that they

need support or other forms of help, and part of the reason why I am developing this program is

to put an end to this negative stigma regarding mental health. Stress factor number six is the

presence of common relocation in order to meet the needs of the Regiment. When a Ranger

receives orders to relocate from Washington to Georgia, for example, this is not a question but

rather a call to duty. These instances require the individual, and his family if applicable, to pick

up and move across the country in order to meet the current needs and expectations of the

organization. There is no argument in the fact that this is an extremely demanding request that

can place a great deal of stress on the family, nevertheless it is once again a part of the profession

in which we all chose to volunteer for. Factor number seven is one that influences all aspects of

health and that is the concern of sleep, specifically the negative effects of deprivation and

inconsistency of this crucial aspect of life. Dr. Matthew Walker, author of the phenomenal book

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams states that, “sleep deficiency is

associated with problems in concentration, memory and the immune system, and may even

shorten life span” (UC Berkeley Department of Psychology, n.d.). I am a devout believer in the

vast importance of healthy sleep habits, unfortunately, the profession in which I serve sometimes
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calls for situations in which this desired outcome is not always feasible. The eighth stress factor

that I would like to discuss is that of the assumed risk of injury or harm that is an integral part of

being a Ranger. Whether many members would like to admit it or not, this influence

undoubtedly contributes to our sense of stress and can ultimately greatly affect our performance

and health if not managed effectively. Stress factor number nine directly relates to personal

relationships that exist in a Ranger’s life with individuals outside of our close-knit community

and this is the difficulty of relating with those who have not shared the experiences of what it

means to be a special operations soldier. I can personally vouch on behalf of this struggle, and it

undoubtedly can result in great amounts of stress as well as a sense of fear that one may never be

able to achieve success outside of the special operations community. Rangers need to be

encouraged that this assumption could not be further from the truth and reminded that they are

equipped with countless tools and skills that make them very competitive in whatever field it is

that they may wish to pursue. The tenth and final factor that we will be discussing for the

purpose of developing this program is two-fold in nature, and that is the exposure to loss

compounded with a potentially crippling fear of failure. Relating back to factor number three

(responsibility for other’s well-being), there exists a profound reminder that Rangers are

commonly placed in situations in which their performance, leadership, and decisions can mean a

matter of life and death, not only for them but for their peers as well. When effectively applied,

this firm truth can be used as a tool rather than a deterrent for Ranger leaders when placed in

difficult situations. Nevertheless, when we witness the loss of a friend and/or coworker, we are

once again met with the reality that what we do is both important and often times life-

threatening. This inevitable outcome should serve as motivation to be the best that we can be and
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to always put our best foot forward when preparing for the real-world scenarios that take place

on a global scale.

Program Descriptions and Implementation

With the gained understanding of several potential stress factors that are a part of a

Ranger’s life experience, we can now clearly identify the profound need for a structured and

individualized program that can effectively equip this community with the tools necessary to best

manage and cope with these stressors. This program will consist of three primary pillars that

each play a unique role in achieving this goal, and this portion of the essay will identify each of

these as well as how they can best be implemented into the community that is the Regiment. The

first pillar in this proposal is the integration of organized and deliberately scheduled mindfulness

and yoga practices that will be set in place by our Human Performance Training Center (HPTC)

staff. Currently, our Officer in charge of this facility does a great job of offering weekly yoga

activities to our members, however there is absolutely room for improvement with regards to

educating Rangers on the importance and countless benefits of these types of practices. In

addition to just yoga, this program calls for events that specifically emphasize mindfulness

techniques and will provide members with the knowledge and tools to further incorporate this

crucially important skill into both their personal and professional lives. The second pillar in this

program is the introduction of a Ranger Family Readiness (RFR) counselor that will be available

to all members of the community throughout the work week. This individual will be proficient

and certified in important concepts such as financial responsibility and planning, marriage

counseling, and conflict resolution. I truly believe that the incorporation of this asset to the

battalion footprint will make a profound impact on improving stress levels across the unit and

ultimately refining our mission readiness across the board. These counseling opportunities will
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be available both on an appointment basis as well as offer an open-door policy to those who may

need to seek assistance more immediately. The third and final portion of this proposal consists

of introducing a registered clinical psychologist to the community who is specifically tasked with

offering services such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to the community that is our

Ranger family. Currently, Joint Base Lewis-McChord features an Embedded Behavioral Health

(EBH) facility that is set aside for special operations soldiers, however, in my experience and

personal opinion, there would be a great deal of benefit found in assigning a professional to be

organic to our unit. Unfortunately, the current reality is that many individuals in my community

are unaware of the EBH resources that are available to them as well as uneducated on the various

benefits associated with practices such as structured CBT and other forms of professional

therapy. The introduction of these three pillars will undoubtedly make a drastic positive impact

on the mental health of our Rangers as well as prepare them to face whatever uncertainties and

additional stressors that their futures may hold.

Program Obstacles

Throughout the development of this stress-management program, I have identified and

been reminded of several potential obstacles that may occur when implementing these new

resources to the community. The three most prominent of these potential concerns are the fear of

harm to reputation, demanding schedules, and toxic leadership. Once again, the unfortunate

current reality that we face is that many Rangers are hesitant to seek help with regards to their

mental health as a result of being afraid that it may desecrate their image or make others question

their abilities within the professional community. This fear could not be any further from the

truth, as I am a firm believer that it is a sign of strength, not weakness, to have the courage to

speak up and admit that everything is not “just okay”. Additionally, as previously discussed in
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the paragraph discussing stressors and their importance, an increasingly demanding schedule is

an integral part of what it means to be a Ranger. This reality could also potentially serve as a

barrier between individuals and receiving the help that they both need and rightfully deserve. The

final potential concern directly relates to the fear discussed in obstacle number one and that is the

presence of toxic leadership. These types of leaders would fall into the destructive pattern of

shaming those who seek help and further look for ways to hinder their career progression as a

result. This toxicity has no place in our community and is a systematic concern that spreads

across the Regiment. I am truly confident that each of these barriers can be effectively overcome

thorough hard work, dedication, and a profound sense of teamwork across our community as we

look to incorporate this stress-management program.

Health Professionals

In order to meet the needs and demands of this new program, there are three professionals

that will best suit the pillars associated with this proposal. As we have previously discussed in

the paragraph regarding program descriptions and implementation, the introduction of both a

RFR counselor as well as a certified psychologist to the battalion footprint will be an integral

part of achieving the goals set in place by this exciting new program. The incorporation of these

two professionals in addition to our Officer in charge of the HPTC, who is a certified yoga

instructor, will undoubtedly pay dividends in equipping Rangers with the tools necessary to

overcome any amount of stress that they may face, no matter how overwhelming it may feel at

the time.

Program Measurements

When introducing any type of new and experimental program to a specific community, it

is drastically important that there exists a structured way in which the effectiveness and success
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of this program can be measured. For the scenario in which we are describing for the purpose of

this assignment, we will be introducing a series of both formal and informal “check-ins” with

Rangers and their families to effectively gain a deeper insight into the effects of this new

program on stress levels and overall wellness of the community. These gatherings can be led by

both Ranger leaders as well as individuals such as the RFR counselor and clinical psychologist

who will sit down and have real life conversations with all members of our community to

ultimately gauge the current status of the Regiment specifically with regards to mental health and

holistic wellness. These types of conversations also double as a reckoning force in the pursuit of

defeating the negative stigma associated with seeking help and encourage Rangers to confidently

voice their concerns and potential needs.

Summary

Developing this stress-management program has truly been both an honor as well as a

challenge for me as we reach the conclusion of this amazing course. Through each of the units

that we have covered I have been enlightened in countless ways and ultimately gained a much

deeper understanding into the importance of coping mechanisms and stress-management as it

pertains to one’s overall sense of health and well-being. This course has undoubtedly been one of

my personal favorites and I am truly confident that the program described in this assignment has

the potential capacity to make a lasting and positive impact within my treasured community. I

am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity of being a student in this course and this final

assignment has really taught me so much. There are so many skills and so much knowledge that I

have been provided as a result of completing this class, and I could not be more thankful for the

instructor and classmates that I have had the privilege of sharing it with.
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Respectfully,

SGT Jonathan Troop

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References

Seaward, B. L. (2017). Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being

(9th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

UC Berkeley Department of Psychology. (n.d.). Sleep Scientist Warns Against Walking Through

Life “In An Underslept State” | UC Psych. Psychology Berkeley. Retrieved November

22, 2021, from https://psychology.berkeley.edu/news/sleep-scientist-warns-against-

walking-through-life-underslept-state#:%7E:text=The%20National%20Sleep

%20Foundation%20recommends,falling%20short%20of%20the%20mark.&text=He

%20points%20out%20that%20lack,fewer%20%E2%80%94%20can%20have%20serious

%20consequences.