More on Meditation

I had my MBSR class last night and I can honestly say it was quite a challenge -- not physically but mentally. I just found the whole evening to be a pain in my mental butt. Sometimes I felt like I was in Mr. Rodgers neighborhood with this woman quietly talking at the front of the room. “Okay boys and girls, let's get ready to meditate.” Instead of being soothing, it was irritating. I just wanted her to be quiet.

And to complicate matters, people were droning on about this and that after each routine. "Well, during that first stretch I was really hoping I wouldn't fall over which would be really embarrassing and it made me think about when I fell off the bleachers in high school.  Then I saw we were changing forms and I can arch my back REALLY WELL. That reminds me of my cat and I am not sure I changed the litter box this morning. It feels good to stretch though. I spend so much time hunched over my desk at work all day... maybe I should stand up and do cat stretches two or three times a day. People might think it was weird but I can tell them it's part of my new class. OH, squats, I can do those but it reeeeeally pulls my hamstrings. Not sure I can block that out... maybe I should just be more mindful of it and work thru it... "   and blah blah blah blah blah, etc.

In my mind, I was thinking... "Oh for Christ sake... get over it, lady!"

It's hard to be mindful of your own processes if everyone else in the room is talking about theirs at every opportunity. I think this is because I don't really like to share my inner workings and I'm puzzled (and irritated) by people who do.  Most people have a hard time being "mindful" and therefore probably need to verbalize some of it.... or all of it, as the case may be.  I guess it is part of the process for them.... but irritating to introverts like myself who don't see "mindful" as necessarily a time for "group sharing."

The military teaches its members to learn to deal with a myriad of distractions, loud noises, fast movements, and ultimately to make good and sound decisions within the midst of utter chaos. In order to achieve that, the brain has to alter the way it processes information, emotions and to suppress our fight or flight, built-in survival mechanisms. Basically, we're taught to ignore the emotional part of our brains and to rely on the parts of our brains that are good at analyzing and planning. But in highly stressful environments, it's difficult for the brain to totally suppress the urge to make snap judgments, like to run if a circus lion leaps into the stands and tries to chew your head off... or to cower and hide if you're shot at.

The areas most affected in the brain by prolonged, stressful stimuli are the hippocampus and the amygdala. The hippocampus records new sensory experiences and tries to place them into long-term memory and our belief systems. The amygdala senses input from the eyes, ears, nose -- our sensory organs. The amygdala is the part of the brain which sets our "triggers", our reflex behaviors. It's what causes us to freeze or to react dramatically when we are startled. It doesn't take a lot of exposure to stressful stimuli to alter the neurocircuitry of the amygdala. Under severe and prolonged stress, these systems can become altered to the point that the result is often depression, anxiety and PTSD.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),"Practicing meditation has been shown to induce some changes in the body...Some types of meditation might work by affecting the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system." The sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system are two divisions of the autonomic nervous system of the body. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for our reaction to stress or fear and is colloquially known as the "fight-or-flight" system. The parasympathetic nervous system is active during times of rest and associated with "rest and digest". The NIH goes on, "It is thought that some types of meditation might work by reducing activity in the sympathetic nervous system and increasing activity in the parasympathetic nervous system."

Translation: Meditation may be able to help reverse some of the long term negative effects of exposure to combat, other stressful, traumatic stimuli and the resulting changes in brain function/chemistry.

So... I'm going to stick with it... even though it is irritating and frustrating at times.

To my friends in the medical field, I apologize for the gross over-simplification of the brain and its inner workings.

Thanks to my friend Melissa B. for her contribution to this article.

Recommended reading:

Combat Stress Injury: Theory, Research, and Management, by Charles R. Figley, William P. Nash

On Killing, by Grossman, Lt. Col. Dave

Veterans and Suicide - We Must Overcome

Mindfulness Training Helpful for the Military

Mindfulness based stress reduction is a combination of meditation and yoga and it's something I've decided to try. It's an 8 week course which focuses on the way that unconscious thoughts, feelings and behaviors influence emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health. It also combines some martial arts type movements which serve to strengthen all those muscles that have become out of shape due to our largely sedentary, couch potato, American lifestyles. 

"The MBSR program started in the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in 1979 and is now offered in over 200 medical centers, hospitals, and clinics around the world, including some of the leading integrative medical centers such as the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine, and the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine. Many of the MBSR classes are taught by physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists, as well as other health professionals who are seeking to reclaim and deepen some of the sacred reciprocity inherent in the doctor-caregiver/patient-client relationship. Their work is based on a need for an active partnership in a participatory medicine, one in which patient/clients take on significant responsibility for doing a certain kind of interior work in order to tap into their own deepest inner resources for learning, growing, healing, and transformation."

The University of Pennsylvania recently led a study in which MBSR training was provided to Soldiers preparing for deployment to Iraq. The study demonstrated a positive link between mindfulness training and improvements in mood and working memory. Here is a link to an article which describes the study and it's results, Mindfulness Training Helpful for the Military.

For me, the jury is still out. It's still early in the training and I'm finding that I have trouble disconnecting my mind from the myriad of thoughts that are constantly going on in my hyper-active psyche. I plan to stick with it though because I realize that I need an alternative method to calm my mind instead of the current methods I use like watching hours of mindless t.v., absorbing myself in silly online games, or chugging down a few beers after work. What I have learned so far is that there are lots of ways to meditate (or if you don't like that word, I'll call it "relaxing")  and if one isn't comfortable with sitting cross-legged on the floor, there are other methods. 

Many Episcopal and other Christian churches have labyrinths. Walking a labyrinth can be used for meditation or as a spiritual practice. I find that the ceremony of my Episcopal church service is very relaxing and meditative for me. I also enjoy hiking and the simple practice of being quiet while bird watching and appreciating nature. It is very calming to me. When I had knees, I jogged. Boy do I miss that!

Military service is stressful... and that is a gross understatement. It's critical that service members find ways to de-stress from the rigors of military life, deployments, combat action and family separation. The traditional way for military members to unwind was to head to the club and throw back a few drinks. Thankfully the military establishment has put the kibash on that practice... somewhat. At least it is discouraged. It is my hope that the military will adopt more healthful practices such as MBSR. But as we all know, the military machine moves slowly.

Mike Corrado, "Stand"

Smart Phones Offer Soldiers an ISR Edge - Military Times

Smart phones offer soldiers an ISR edge - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

My Target Experience

 Sooooo... I got this really nice, espresso colored, table and chair set at Target and it was going to look great in my dining room. Only problem is that it's "DIY - put it together" furniture, which really isn't a problem as I normally like mindless mechanical tasks such as this. But, this was a large piece of furniture and was slightly heavy, so it was going to take some effort to complete the task.

I got the table put together easily and started on the chairs. It only took me one chair to realize that the factory had put 5 right front legs and 3 left front legs in the box. Well... that's just not going to work. Since the table is completely put together now, I'm thinking, "Wow I really don't want to take that apart or carry out to my truck in it's now finished, heavy and awkward state."  I then thought, I'll just call Target and see if I can exchange the incorrect parts for correct ones from another box.

Got my phone, called Target and got the "Teenage Guest Services" lady on the line. "Hello.... (I explain my situation)... so can I just exchange the parts instead of bringing the now partially put together table with the destroyed 5 acres of packaging, and the parts strewed out all over my living room floor?" "Teenage Guest Services" lady says, "No, I'm sorry you have to bring the table back and get a refund or exchange it for another table." "Really", I said. "Why???.... It would be much less trouble for everyone if you allowed me to just exchange the parts." Her answer, "We have to 'defect' your table out of the inventory now." "Okay," I said. "So 'defect' the table set you have in the store after I get what I need out of it." She says.... "We just can't do that." I'm scratching my head now. "So let me get this straight," I say. "You want me to bring this table back to you, in the state that it's in, return it and then purchase a new one, carry the heavy dang thing home by myself, and start putting ANOTHER table together which may also be defective for all I know." She says, "Yes ma'am. That is our policy."

Stupidity as a policy. I have seen this before. After all, I work for the gooberment.

By this time I've decided that I'm just speaking to the wrong person. I'll take the 'defective' parts (and they aren't defective) back to Target and ask to speak to the manager. And that's what I did. I got there, explained my situation again and he gave me the same song and dance as "Teenage Guest Services" lady. But, he offers me another solution. "You could just purchase another table now, take it home, get what you need out of the box, and then bring it back to us and tell us that it was missing parts."

Now my head is spinning around on my shoulders and I'm thinking about spewing pea soup all over "Teenage Guest Services" lady and "Twenty-something Manager" dude. Thankfully, I had no pea soup to hurl. Feeling compelled to point out the absurdly illogical option he was giving me, I speak. "So, I can buy ANOTHER table, lug it to my truck, take it home, rifle through the contents of the package, take out what I need and possible some extra stuff I don't need, and then bring it back to you? How is this different than if we do it right here in the store?" He has no answer. "What if I buy it, take it to the parking lot, open the box, get out what I need and then wheel it right back in to you and return it? Can I do that?" He says, "Well no ma'am, then we'd know that you weren't telling the truth about there being missing parts."

Uhhhhh.... where is my gun?????

"Okay, okay.... " I say. "But then explain to me how THIS is GOOD customer service. Why is the burden to fix this problem on ME... the customer? It's not my fault that the box was packed incorrectly, yet I'm the one who has to do the lion's share of the work to make the situation right."

Is there anyone here in a management position that is over 25 years old and doesn't have acne?

No. I didn't buy a second table. I went home, gathered up the one I had, drove it back to the store, parked in front of the store in the fire lane, crammed the partially assembled table set into a cart and wheeled it back into "Teenage Guest Services Lady". "I'd like to return this," I say. "Oh.... do you want to exchange it for another one," she asks. "Only if you hold me at gun point."

I still have no table and chairs. Next time I'm going to some place where they are already assembled.

Army Report Warned of Burn-pit Effects

Army report warned of burn-pit effects - Military News News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

July Update from "Tijuana" -- Reservists Have a Lot to Offer

As is often the case, a reservist generally brings a variety of skills to his/her military profession that an ordinary active duty Soldier cannot. This point was recently highlighted by LTG Jack Stultz during a visit to the Horn of Africa.

"The thing that impresses me with these civil affairs teams, you have these young captains and sergeants out there on their own just doing great stuff for the local [African] community, whether it is building schools, or digging wells ... just a lot of good things improving lives of citizens," said Stultz.


"What they bring to the table is their civilian background," Schultz said. "A lot of these civil affairs NCOs and officers are law enforcement or they teach. They bring that skill actually to the civil affairs community, the individuals they are working with and the community they're in. So it is important."


Stultz is keenly aware of the importance of Reservists to the U.S. Army, and all branch services. "We see it over and over again, the real value that's added with the Reserve Soldier, whether it is Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force Reserve. It's not the military skills, although that's part of it, but the added value is the civilian skills. You'll find out your radioman or civil affairs Soldier back home is a lawyer, or they may be some kind of information technology guru," he said.


-- From a Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Foos. Read more...

Here are "Tijuana's" observations and perspetives from his July, 2010 work in Iraq.

"As July comes to a close I wanted to thank everyone for your support of the military and the mission that we have over here. My role keeps me constantly involved in programs designed to build the capacity of the Iraqi government and rebuild some of the neglected infrastructure. Luckily with all of the training I received at my civilian job, I am able to successfully negotiate contract closures with the Iraqi officials. That is not a skill that many other military, state department, justice dept. or USAID folks have in my Provincial Reconstruction Team. My job consists of projects, programs, contracts, vendor selections, non-conformance, contractual closure...Essentially I am helping to finish the work we started and making sure we conclude our projects/programs with successful results.

In several of my civilian corporate meetings before I mobilized, we had tense moments and even yelled, walked out of meetings and generally took a strong stance. Over here, negotiation with a loaded weapon on my side and equally armed opponents makes the situation a little bit more difficult. The same principles apply and my old boss Tammy’s voice hits me every time, “what is your strategy.” Maybe I’ll learn something from this.

I spent a week in Baghdad earlier this month for training at the embassy compound and also spent a few days in Kirkuk (another province here in the North). The pictures of agriculture, farming and actual terrain features is not the Iraq you are expecting. The northern parts are very different from the deserts of the south.

I have included some pictures from a recent trip where we are rebuilding a medical clinic that should be done within the next 90 days accepting patients. Some of the other pictures are taken from the air – so nobody is allowed to tell my mom that they are letting us ride around in Hueys with the doors open (just like they did it over 40 years ago). I think I logged about a thousand miles with the doors open this month. I prefer to fly with the military in blackhawks instead of the state dept. in Huey’s.

Yes, that is a rubber duckie…his name is Rambo.

The picture of my watch shows the temperature of 112 degrees…it was much cooler in the air that day!"

~~ Tijuana

Changes to Army Basic Training

This year, Basic Combat Training has gone through a transformation. Some of the changes you'll see in Basic and OSUT starting this month: BCT is more challenging; rifle marksmanship is more extensive; and combatives are tougher and more relevant.

Read more...

What do you think about the changes to Army Basic and OSUT?

Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP)

I'm sharing another update from one of my buddies from my MCAQ Course -- Team 41. "Navy Guy" is stationed in Iraq and attached to an Army Civil Affairs unit. Like "Tijuana", also from Team 41, "Navy Guy" is a liaison between military, government (both Iraqi and U.S.) and aid agencies and is working to build infrastructure, security and financial solvency to the people in his AO. Here are a few words from my buddy, "Navy Guy".

"Well, I’m about settled into a routine however I still have a lot to learn but it's an office job (Well Some days) so I can't complain too much. I'm working within the Army G9 position CMO (Civil Military Operations) where decisions are made using what's called Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP). In a nut-shell we decide what emergency funding is need to help stabilize the Government here and aid the local economy. CERP provides funds for construction materials for schools, supplies, equipment, hospitals, roadways, bridges, power and lights. Basically, anything that can help aid the legitimacy of their country, and get their Government to take ownership and embrace the responsibility of running it. There is a lot of going back-and-forth between our legal teams (JAG) and being the Liaison between our Military forces, contractors and the Iraqi's themselves. It's very interesting but tedious work. I’m not complaining though, someone surly has it worse than I do!

Here is a photo taken at the Al Ban Markets. This particular day we were verifying that equipment that was purchased with CERP Micro-Grants by local store owners, was actually spent as requested. “Trust, but verify when spending our US Tax Dollars”. The Iraqi store owners are all very grateful for the assistance to provide them the essentials for repairing and reestablishing their stores, for economic sustainment and a prosperous future."

~ Navy Guy

By the way, Team 41 rocks! Just ask us!

What's your opinion of Soldiers who've never deployed?

What's your opinion of Soldiers who've never deployed? 

Drowning Pool - Feel Like I Do

Get your free download of Drowning Pool's Top 5 active rock smash Feel Like I Do!

Feel Like I Do is the band's second consecutive Top 5 hit and the first single from their new self-titled album (Drowning Pool, Eleven Seven Music), which was released on April 27th and debuted at #35 on The Billboard 200, #3 on Billboard’s Hard Rock and #5 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums charts in its first week. Drowning Pool has also donated a signed guitar and other items that was raffled off during the May 11-16 G.I. Film Festival at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC.

►Read Full Press Release

It's Not All Bad

Following is a note from a friend and fellow United States Army Reserve Officer serving in Iraq. He is a Civil Affairs officer working as a liaison between Iraqi officials, contractors, the U.S. Government and a myriad of other agencies and organizations. This is a tough job but I can think of no one better qualified to do it than my friend, "Tijuana" (call sign).

"I can’t believe it is June already. Time is going by very fast.

In the last 30 days I have started to get to know my job fairly well. We have processes in place when dealing with the Provincial Governor’s Team (with action item lists). I have a reconstruction engineering team that works to ensure we spend Iraqi money before we spend US Government money. I have met quite a few mayors, deputy mayors, muktars, sheikh’s and other leaders in these communities. I feel like we are engaging at the right level to make a difference. In our spare time, we recommend projects and help with local businesses like setting up internet café’s for profit, bridal shops, sewing associations that benefit widows and a few others that are in-work. I am currently the project manager for 28 projects worth over $600k (some Iraqi funded, some US funded).

The work is rewarding and very time consuming. I have spent the last week at our Tal Afar branch office sitting in for the Team Leader while he is on vacation. Being integrated so closely with the district and sub-district governments really adds flexibility and being able to propose new ideas quickly. The good always comes with the bad, I was stuck out at a checkpoint on the Syrian border in very austere conditions for a night trying to get back to our branch office yesterday so I am just now catching up on my workload.

Things are moving fast and the drawdown is happening all around me. Mid-tour leave will be here in less than 3-months – can’t wait. "

-- Tijuana

It's great to hear news from someone with "boots on the ground," particularly when it is positive. It is far too easy to get sucked in by all the sensationalism that is on network television and in print media. Dispatchs such as this give us reason for hope and optimism.

The Technicality Generation

By LARRY PRESSLER
Op-Ed Contributor
Published: May 18, 2010

THE problems faced by Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut’s attorney general, over his depiction of his military service are indicative of a broader disease in our society. The issues of integrity in business and politics that plague us today — the way elites are no longer trusted — are rooted in the dishonesty that surrounded the Vietnam-era draft.

The Vietnam War drove members of my generation in different directions. Some served because they believed in the war, others didn’t believe in the war and protested, but when drafted felt an obligation to go. Others were simply drafted. Some refused service out of principle, others out of fear, and still others because they felt that taking the time to go to Vietnam would slow their careers.

Many of those who didn’t serve were helped by an inherently unfair draft. I don’t fault anyone for taking advantage of the law. Where I do find fault is among those who say they were avoiding the draft because they were idealistically opposed to the war — when, in fact, they mostly didn’t want to make the sacrifice. The problem is that for every person who won a deferment or a spot in a special National Guard unit, someone poorer or less educated, and usually African-American, had to serve.

Thus, many in my generation knew they were using a broken (but legal) system to shirk their duty. They cloaked themselves in idealism but deep down had to know they were engaging in a charade. (I, too, was against the Vietnam war and felt that people should protest, but not dodge their draft responsibility.)

Read more...

How The System Should NOT Work

This is not how the system is supposed to work, rather it is an example of failure on multiple levels.

PTSD Soldier Punished by Army

This is "the price of pushing our troops too far."