Building resiliency into body, mind and spirit Published June 12, 2009 By Chaplain (Col.) Charlie Bolin Air Force Reserve Command ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Testimony of the most seasoned combat veterans and the bravest warriors witness to the reality that stress in combat is unavoidable. Experts who treat wounded warriors understand, and have provided evidence; the stress of war is a unique kind of trauma in the human experience. Being a warrior, observer, and victim of war challenges the human spirit as no other experience. This attack on human spirit can be the most effective growth experience when the warrior is adequately trained to understand how combat can produce psychological wounds. Resiliency training is the best protection from and preparation for dealing with psychological injury. Just as combat skills training prepares the warrior for the physical dangers common in war. This emotional self aid/buddy care is essential for all who go to war. Upcoming traumatic stress response classes at the Expeditionary Center Chaplain Bolin is pursuing a doctorate in health psychology to help bring this kind of training to combined forces warriors. His understanding of the body-mind-spirit connection in traumatic stress helps those who are involved in combat operations to understand and defeat the negative effects of psychological injury of war -- building resiliency into body, mind and spirit. On June 15, Chaplain Bolin hill teach the Traumatic Stress Response class at 10 a.m. and the Traumatic Events Management class at 1 p.m. in Building 5652, Room 144 on the Expeditionary Center campus. E-mail the Expeditionary Center Chaplain (Maj.) Thom Porter at thomas.porter2@mcguire.af.mil or call his office at (609) 754-7208 or 7209 to register for these classes.