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Program Aims to Prepare Service Members for Military Stressors > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

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Life in the military is no bed of roses, but the services are putting in place an innovative program designed to give service members new tools to handle the stress of military life.

The program aims to help service members be physically and mentally ready to handle the challenges of military service. 

The company and the program are known universally as O2X, which stands for Optimize to the X, with X being the goal. The company was founded by special operations veterans, first responders and elite athletes, said Adam La Reau, a co-founder and managing partner of O2X. 

“We implement human performance programs, performance optimization programs into the tactical community,” said La Reau, who was a Navy SEAL. “We tackle occupational challenges within these tactical communities, things like sleep disruption, mental health, physical aspects, injuries — essentially, the things that impact the readiness, resilience, and sometimes even the retention of these units … or DOD as a whole.” 

In the Navy, the emphasis on human performance came from a study following the 2017 crashes of the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain. The crashes killed 17 sailors. The study found the crews were overtaxed, fatigued and stressed. 

The service turned to O2X to look at these human factors and develop a program to address some of these specific problems within the surface warfare community. “We bring on-site specialists that come with a program and a methodology,” La Reau said in an interview. “We do skills-based training and education. The education is … pretty critical for people to be self-aware about their own individual performance.” 

The company has tested the program with crews aboard the USS Manchester, a littoral combat ship based in San Diego. They’re getting ready to expand the program to work with the crews of the destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88) and the littoral combat ships USS Mobile and USS Gabby Giffords beginning this month. 

The company is based in Scituate, Massachusetts, and works with DOD components and fire and police departments around the nation.  

The program treats service members like elite athletes. Elite athletes receive training not just to perform a physical feat, but to have the mental toughness and resilience to perform under pressure, La Reau said. Elite athletes follow a training regimen to ensure they have the right foods, the right amount of sleep, the right exercise regimen and the determination and willingness to follow the regimen. “The question we always ask is how do we give people the skill sets in order to persevere through challenges and emerge not only successful, but stronger,” he said. 

The company tailors each program to the situation. They’re quite aware that what may work for an officer at a police department would not help a sailor aboard a destroyer. La Reau said the company has hundreds of specialists to teach personnel and to serve as “reach-back” assets for those deployed. 

The program requires buy-in from the commanders and a commitment to ensure there is every effort to let service members participate no matter where they are. “The program has to be portable,” LaReau said. “It has to adapt to the changing situations people find themselves in, whether they are deployed, on a ship at sea, or in a shipyard undergoing maintenance.” 

The company has another contract with the Massachusetts National Guard, and that also illustrates the need for an adaptable program. Guardsmen, of course, are from all over the state and have civilian jobs in addition to their military duties. O2X tailored the program for the 5,500 members of the Guard and had the staff to “scale” the effort. 

To really capitalize on the program,, it needs to be part of every training event starting at entry level training and progressing through the ranks of both enlisted and officer ranks, La Reau said. 

“We need to look at human performance as a program, not as a choose your own adventure,” he said. “You have to understand performance and all the factors that can affect you. Sustainment training needs to continue for the duration of your career. Truthfully, science changes, things adapt, people find better ways, and our operating environment will continue to adapt and change.”

“But the one factor is going to be the same … is that individual,” he continued. “We need to continue to adapt our program and continue to adapt it to meet the needs of the next conflict.”

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Global Veterans News

Canadian Armed Forces program helps injured members and veterans – Edmonton

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A contingent of Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans are in Edmonton preparing for an international sporting event aimed at changing their lives.

Thirty-seven members of the CAF’s “Soldier On” program are participating in a five-day training camp for the Warrior Games.

Members of the program will compete in eleven events ranging from sitting volleyball to rowing.

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“It’s a big world stage. It’s not just single. You talk to everyone about the Warrior Games. So just being a participant, soaking it in, talking to other people, seeing where they are in their journey of healing,” Soldier On member Sabrina Mulford said.

The games and the Solider On program are about more than current and retired military members competing in sport. The primary goal is to help participants recover from injury and illness.

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“It affords an opportunity for these brave women and men who’ve been injured during their careers to put the maple leaf on their shoulders again, to serve Canada and be part of that team that might have been lost after their injury or illness,” Soldier On senior manager Joe Kiraly said.


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“Warrior Games has given me that light at the end of the tunnel because the last year has been really really difficult,” Mulford said.

Mulford had to adjust to life outside of the Canadian Armed Forces. She was a military member for 24 years before retiring last year.

“For me, the military is a little different. We’re a different society, and we try to mingle back in, and that’s hard when you spent 24 years in the military coming back into civilian life again,” she said.

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“To come to a program like Soldier On and experience shared bonds among folks who have been down similar roads in their lives, see how they’ve coped and share strategies, it’s a really powerful experience, and it can have life-changing results,” Kiraly said.

Mulford has already experienced the benefits of the program. She will be competing in rowing and power-lifting at the Warrior Games.

“I kind of lavish in the experience of meeting new people from different parts of the world and the country because we all live different lives, [but] we all have a common goal when it comes to the Warrior Games.”

The games will take place at the ESPN Wild World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, August 19 to 28.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



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USA Veteran News

Post Members Find Support While Working as a Team

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VFW Post 670 strives to be a good neighbor within its Fayetteville, North Carolina, community. Its members serve on local civic boards, volunteer at different organizations, work to combat hunger and more. Above all else, the Post is devoted to supporting its members and the greater veteran population. 

“Our Post, although open to the public, is very much an organization that helps veterans,” said Commander Mike Baker. “It provides a place for veterans to talk to others who’ve dealt with the same issues, been to the same places … people who understand what you’re trying to describe, even when you can’t find the words.” 

VFW Post 670 July #StillServing Post of the MonthBecause of the family atmosphere and camaraderie, the Post is a place where members can be themselves and join like-minded friends to make a positive impact together. 

Recently, they took part in the inaugural VFW Day of Service when they gathered with Auxiliary members to clean up a local roadway. 

“We walked a mile from the Post and collected all the litter,” said Quartermaster Amelia Smith. “In just that one mile, we collected 300 pounds of trash.” 

In addition to this event, Post members have performed countless other acts of service in recent months. 

“In April, we bought and collected $250 in new toys, blankets and games to donate to the Child Advocacy Center,” Smith said. “On March 30, the Post and Auxiliary hosted a Vietnam Veterans’ Appreciation Lunch.” 

The Post also dedicates time and raises funds to support many programs, such as Man 22, the Veteran Suicide Awareness Program, 22 Until None, Veterans Empowering Veterans and Gold Star Families. And to support active-duty soldiers, members provide meal services at unit events. 

“We’ve done four events in the last couple of months and served over 800 soldiers and family members,” said Baker. “We’ve also distributed candy, cookies and hygiene products to deploying units.” 

No matter the task, members of VFW Post 670 are eager to unite and lend a hand. 

“We’re still serving because it helps our community, as well as the veterans. When veterans gather together to help someone else, we don’t focus on what’s wrong with us, and we don’t feel alone,” said Smith. 

“Regardless of the amount of people who show up, we come together and work as a team, focusing on how to get the job done to the best of our ability. Along the way, we meet people, make connections, share ideas and just try to relax and enjoy the camaraderie.” 

The VFW is proud to honor the members of Post 670 who are #StillServing to provide vital support to the community and one another.

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