US ARMY FINDS WHITEWATER RAFTING TO HELP SOLDIERS
Ft. Lewis Uses White Salmon River As A Part of New Psychological Resilience Training Program
Husum, Washington. Oct. 8, 2010. Ft. Lewis takes soldiers whitewater rafting for the High Adventure Activity in the premier psychological resilience building program, Battlemind.
Serving our nation overseas allows members of the US Army to develop skills and have experiences unlike those of the civilian community. However, returning home from the intensity of combat has been found to be an abrupt and stressful transition for these soldiers. Seeking ways to mitigate this additional stress, the US Army has decided to send their troops whitewater rafting on the White Salmon River in the Columbia River Gorge.
Finding that troops were facing new forms of stress after serving their nation abroad the US Army initiated the Battlemind program. Pilot studies began three years ago using the White Salmon River as one of three test sites in the world. While aiming to provide an alternative outlet for the increased adrenaline levels experienced in combat, the program also fosters group communication, trust and unit cohesion. To Todd and Jaco at Wet Planet Whitewater in Husum, Washington this sounds a whole lot like a whitewater raft trip, with one major distinction. It is all about having fun.
Raft guides help the soldiers focus on the positives of their experience. Through rafting, soldiers demonstrate trust, confidence and competence for their group and leaders in a fun environment. The program aims to mitigate risky and destructive behavior common to soldiers returning home from combat.
Raft guides find working with the soldiers to be rewarding, seeing them as both fellow adrenaline junkies as well as a highly functioning team. “As a raft guide I respect and admire them for their devotion to each other and to our country.” comments Ryan Copenhagen, a river guide at Wet Planet. “I am humbled in their presence and honored to help them
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