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Soldier helps keep spirits up
3rdSustainmentBrigade
Capt. Dana Cook, the 3rd Sustainment Brigade master resiliency trainer, and native of Richmond Hill, offers Task Force Provider soldiers and leaders a wellness workshop May 3 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. - photo by Photo by Sgt. Tanjie Patterson

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — In an effort to maintain a well balanced team, the 3rd Sustainment Brigade’s master resiliency trainer, Capt. Dana Cook, provided a wellness workshop for deployed soldiers at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, on May 3.
The workshop offered soldiers and leaders with Task Force Provider skills on how to remain resilient while in a stressful environment. The class included advice on how to stay positive, set goals and control emotions, to name a few.
Cook used excerpts from the book “The Long Run” to help soldiers see that regardless of the situation they may find themselves in, being resilient and psychologically fit can help them overcome any hurdle.
“I thought the class was very informative,” said Spc. Marcus Brantley, a nodal network systems operator-maintainer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, and Hinesville native. “It gave me some great information on how to overcome different obstacles and how to stay positive in a negative environment. This was the first Provider wellness class that I’ve been to, but I will definitely attend more in the future.”
Cook taught a similar resiliency workshop during the beginning of the brigade’s deployment. She also offers the training to 3rd Sustainment BrigadesSoldiers at their home station, Fort Stewart.
“I was very pleased at the turnout,” said Cook. “There were about 60 soldiers who showed up to a class that was not mandatory. To me, that shows that being resilient and having the proper tools to do so is important to not only me but also to soldiers and leaders.”
One soldier, Sgt. Matthew Pledger, said that the training was beneficial, especially during the middle of his combat-tour.
“I think the training was a breath of fresh air,” said the signal support systems specialist with HHC, 3rd Sustainment Brigade and Jacksonville, Fla., native. “It comes at the right time when we are halfway through the deployment, stress kicks in and emotions are high. I would recommend that this training becomes mandatory for all soldiers, non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers.”
The 3rd Sustainment Brigade wellness classes are part of the U.S. Army’s ongoing Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness initiative. According to the CSF2 webpage, the campaign is designed to increase physical and psychological health as well as increase resilience to enhance performance of soldiers, families and Army civilians.
“Master resilience training allows me to support the Army by helping to build a foundation here in Task Force Provider, by providing the tools to build more resilient Soldiers,” said Cook.

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