Operation Victory Wellness begins

 Today ( Monday ), the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley kick-off "Operation Victory Wellness." Victory Wellness is a comprehensive, enduring operation to make EVERY Soldier, Department of the Army Civilian, and Family member on Fort Riley more resilient and stronger across the five dimensions of strength: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and family. This campaign will employ an ongoing series of training events and activities designed to strengthen individuals and units and build trust and cohesion amongst
leaders, Soldiers, and Families. Wellness events will be scheduled
throughout each month and provided the same resources as other military operations.

"Our people are the Army's and the nation's most important asset," said Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general. "They must take the time to focus on maintaining themselves and strengthening their relationships with friends and family, just as if they were maintaining a piece of equipment or a certain skill."

The first campaign event is an interactive discussion session between Fort Riley leaders and company-level command teams. These leaders are best positioned to affect change at the small unit level. By hearing their concerns and challenges, senior leaders can better provide resources and training to increase the resilience of Soldiers and units. Discussion topics focus on the five dimensions of strength: physical, spiritual, emotional, family, and social.

Upcoming events include Victory Wellness Time, Victory Foundational Days, and Victory Wellness Action Week. Victory Wellness Time will occur twice a month, providing unit leaders a designated time to conduct training based on a menu of available resources. Victory Foundational Days will occur monthly
and are reserved entirely for resilience-related training and activities. Victory Wellness Action Week sets aside an entire week for units to execute a comprehensive program to improve individual resilience and overall unit cohesion. The first Victory Wellness Action Week begins in December.

Additionally, every 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Soldier, from
private to major general, will conduct a 30-minute Victory Wellness Check each year, a counseling session with a Military Family Life Counselor to enhance emotional wellness.