DVIDS – News – Fort Buchanan Religious Services Office talks about spiritual resilience

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico—Fort Buchanan Chaplain Maj. Okupe F. Joseph and Fort Buchanan Sergeant Major Religious Affairs Specialist Juan Merced conduct a spiritual resiliency class April 8 at installation headquarters did. The class was part of the Army’s Build Strong and Ready Teams program, a command-led, chaplain-led, and community-based effort to strengthen mental strength. Mental preparation of workers and families.

“There are happy times in life, but there are also speed bumps here and there. How do we deal with adversity in life? The answer is not just resilience, but mental resilience,” Okupe said. said.

According to Army doctrine, mental readiness is the ability to sustain oneself in all aspects of life, especially during times of stress, hardship, and tragedy. It involves improving one’s spiritual attitude through a self-directed process and is grounded in religious, philosophical, and human values. These core values ​​shape an individual’s sense of purpose, identity, motivation, character, and integrity.

As part of the class, participants were required to complete a self-assessment of mental resilience that records how each person deals with adversity in their life.

“Our goal today is to help you identify areas for improvement in your mental resilience,” Okupe said.

During the discussion, Mr. Okupe also clarified the difference between religion and spirituality.

“Religion is an organized set of specific beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. Spirituality is not a religion. Spirituality is rather an individual practice with peace and a sense of purpose.” We are all spiritual, but not all of us are religious.’We demonstrate that in a different way,” Okupe said.

Okupe said the Fort Buchanan Religious Services Office will conduct these classes in a separate office.

“The objective is to maintain a balanced and healthy Army and develop ready service members, civilians and families who can persevere and continue to move forward in times of constant conflict,” Okupe said. ” he added.

Military chaplain responsibilities include conducting religious services, providing counseling, and meeting the religious needs of the military and workforce, regardless of religion. Chaplains serve all faiths and denominations.

To learn more about spiritual resiliency and the variety of services offered by the Fort Buchanan Religious Affairs Office, visit the Post Chapel in Building 292 Freedom’s Gateway, Building 183 Freedom’s Gateway, or call (787) 707-4008 Please contact us at / (787) 707. -3405.