Affirming the Soldier's Spirit Through Intentional Dialogue

摘要

This research paper confronts the present silence regarding the Soldier's spirit in the dialogue about war's trauma and effective combat recovery opportunities. It is the argument of this author that acknowledgement of the Soldier's spirit through a spirit-centric dialogue with senior Army leaders is the initial step toward enlarging the issue of emotional and spiritual recovery from combat trauma. The Army's senior leadership needs to participate in the dialogue with physicians, educators, mental health care providers, and chaplains, regarding the Soldier's spirit. The author cites leading psychiatrists, psychologists, pastoral counselors, educators and military historians on the recognition of the Soldier's spirit. This paper proposes the Soldier's spirit is a metaphysical reality and requires a voice on its behalf outside the confines of the military chaplaincy. Supportive and documented research reveals if the Soldier's spirit is neglected it will be at the expense of the Soldier's recovery, resiliency, mission and ultimately the Nation's mission.