Theoretical Dimensions of Small Unit Resilience

Abstract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank)2. REPORT DATE December 2010 REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release: distribution is unlimited 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE ABSTRACT (maximum 200 words)When Soldiers deploy into any theater of operation, they encounter a sustained series of stressors unlike any they would encounter at home station. To mitigate the cumulative effect of these stressors on their units and individual Soldiers, leaders must be able to assist service members in learning strategies to effectively cope with stress under the most arduous of conditions. These strategies can improve the effectiveness and sustainability of our Soldiers in combat. The central purpose of this project is to identify how leaders can build, foster, and sustain resiliency in their organizations at the unit level. Researchers Sutcliffe and Vogus define resilience is defined as "the capacity for adaptability, positive functioning, or competence following chronic stress or prolonged trauma." Put simply, it allows an individual or organization to draw on internal and external resources to positively adjust to current adversities and strengthens their ability to cope with future adversities. Building resilience is critical to mission accomplishment, longevity and sustainability of Soldiers in combat. However, in order for units to properly do so for the long-term, they must contain the following characteristics of resilience: concerted leadership, adequate resources, enhancement of organizational learning, flexibility/adaptability in the face of adversity, and goal oriented. NUMBER OF PAGES 6714. SUBJECT TERMS Resilience, Leadership, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicide PRICE CODE SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF REPORT Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF ABSTRACT Unclassified LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT THEORETICAL DIMENSIONS SMALL UNIT RESILIENCE ABSTRACTWhen Soldiers deploy into any theater of operation, they encounter a sustained series of stressors unlike any they would encounter at home station. To mitigate the cumulative effect of these stressors on their units and individual Soldiers, leaders must be able to assist service members in learning strategies to effectively cope with stress under the most arduous of conditions. These strategies ca...

Dimensions of Small Unit Resilience in Organizations Facing Threats, Disruption, and Stress

“…His contribution to the work on organizational and unit resilience is significant because of his first-hand knowledge of the challenges service men and women in the United States Armed Services face daily in the field. The report is based primarily on his MBA project (Lopes, 2010) at the Naval Postgraduate School, completed December 2010.…”