Thoughts while working out in the gym

Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard 1st AD and Fort Bliss Commanding General

Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard,
1st AD and Fort Bliss Commanding General:

Unit Highlight: 3/1 AD
The “Bulldog” Brigade is going through all of its post-deployment tasks as it recovers from a tough deployment to eastern Afghanistan.

Over the past decade, the Army, in partnership with the civilian mental health and social services communities, has identified many challenges our Soldiers face upon returning home from deployment. The brigade is helping Soldiers deal with these challenges through resiliency training, visits with Military and Family Life Consultant, and Suicide Awareness training.

This week, I would like to recognize SGT Joseph Murdoch and SPC Patrick Gentry from HHC, 3/1 BSTB. Both Soldiers were instrumental in organizing their company’s Community Service Event at the El Paso Optimist Club’s BMX Park. SGT Murdoch and SPC Gentry took charge in organizing, scheduling, and gathering the required supplies to help clean up and refurbish the BMX Park. These two Soldiers dedicated their off-duty time to ensure this event was a success. Their hard work and dedication was instrumental to the successful refurbishment of a local bike park.

Resilience Theme of the Week
The resilience theme of the week is Problem Solving. Have you ever solved a problem in your life only to find out that what you thought caused the problem actually did not? Or, have you found yourself solving the same problem over and over? If so, you may be like most of us in that you suffer from Confirmation Bias.

Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding general, speaks to Brigade Combat Team leaders during training. Photo by Sgt. Valerie Lopez, Headquarters, 1st Armored Division.

Confirmation Bias is the tendency to notice, remember and weigh evidence that supports our preexisting beliefs. Anything that supports our bias sticks to our subconscious like Velcro. In contrast, we tend not to notice, not to remember and not to weigh evidence that does not support our thoughts and beliefs. This is really how our minds work: for the sake of efficiency, our subconscious filters out information that conflicts with our belief set and pushes up to the conscious anything that supports our belief set.

For example, you may believe that you are a good driver, you may overlook the ticket you received two months ago for rolling through a stop sign. You may overvalue your record of no significant accidents and undervalue your three speeding tickets. In fact, when you receive a ticket, you may be likely to fault the road, the speed limit sign, the police officer, or the speed limit itself.

So you can see that this sort of mechanism can prevent us from being flexible and accurate in our thinking and problem solving. In fact, it can cause us to make the same self-destructive mistakes over and over. But fear not! We are not doomed to act in our own self-interest. The resilience skill of Problem Solving helps develop mental agility by increasing flexibility and accuracy in our understanding of the causes of problems.

The Problem Solving method begins with objectively describing the problem and ends with developing effective strategies for solving the problem. This method helps clearly identify the factors that caused the problem and develops effective solutions. Problem Solving gives you more control over your subconscious. This can take some time, but with more flexibility and accuracy in your thinking, you will likely develop more effective solution strategies.

Vote!
Tuesday, November 6th, is Election Day. Make sure you exercise your right as an American citizen and vote. If you have not done so already, research the candidates, study their policies and make an informed decision. This great democracy allows its Soldiers, as well as all citizens, to vote. If you are a Soldier, this is a right you have served to defend. Use it! If you are a civilian, our Soldiers serve to allow you the right to vote. Either way, get out and exercise your right to vote next Tuesday!

Fit Bliss!
Becoming the healthiest and most fit military installation in the country means having plenty of fitness activities and competitions! If you are looking to get faster on the ground or in the water, we have a full schedule of distance races over the next few months.

On November 3rd, we have our first-ever Fort Bliss Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5k Fun Run.

On November 6-8, we have the Fort Bliss Swim Meet.

Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard, 1st AD and Fort Bliss commanding general, leads the post run. Photo by Sgt. Valerie Lopez, Headquarters, 1st Armored Division.

On November 10th, Fort Bliss FMWR, in conjunction with Military 365, will support the Ruidoso Service Challenge. Soldiers and civilians can register for a 5k run or a 10k trail run.

On November 17th, we have a 5k Turkey Trot.

On November 20th, we have a post-wide fun run (Family members, civilians, bicycles, strollers, and pets are invited to join us).

On December 8th, we have the 8k Holiday Run.

To register for any of these events, go to the snack bar at either Sgt. Joshua W. Soto Physical Fitness Center, Stout Fitness Center or visit www.active.com.

Also, start planning now for the Fort Bliss Amateur Bodybuilding Contest, both male and female categories, this spring.

Well, back to the gym. Recently, someone asked me if I worked out very much. I answered yes, but then thought that if someone has to ask if I work out, then I am obviously not working out hard enough! My personal goal is to be both fit and healthy; but, I also want to at least look like I work out! Hooah!

Be combat ready, be fit, be resilient, and be Iron Strong!

Iron Soldiers – A Bias for Action!