Introduction
The military is a complex institution that operates on discipline, strategy, and readiness principles. Every nation needs a strong military to protect its citizens and uphold peace and stability. Military personnel, especially soldiers, are critical in ensuring the nation’s security and sovereignty. However, military service is a difficult job requiring physical, mental, and emotional strength.
By prioritizing these areas, the army can enhance the soldiers’ physical and mental strength, reduce the risk of injuries, and ensure that they are well-prepared to face any challenges. Therefore, the soldiers’ well-being must be a top priority when trying to ensure they can carry out their tasks effectively. The army must focus on soldiers’ mental health, physical conditioning and preparedness of tactical units, that rank as the highest three military priorities to ensure its soldiers’ readiness and effectiveness.
Mental Health
One of the major concerns for army personnel is combat readiness. It relates to a soldier’s capacity to perform their duty capably while engaged in warfare. Combat readiness depends heavily on one’s mental health. Military operations can be very stressful, and soldiers who are not in good mental health might find it challenging to carry out their responsibilities. For instance, a soldier who is depressed or anxious could find it challenging to react quickly to threats (Sawyer, 2020). This may endanger not only their own safety but also that of their fellow soldiers.
Moreover, mental health conditions like PTSD might make it difficult for a soldier to cooperate with others in a team. A traumatic event, like combat, can result in PTSD, a mental health condition (Sawyer, 2020). Troops experiencing PTSD may encounter symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme anxiety. Since collaboration is essential for military operations, these symptoms may make it challenging for them to interact with their fellow soldiers.
In addition to affecting combat readiness, mental health issues can also affect a soldier’s personal life. Mental health difficulties may significantly impact a soldier’s personal life. Relationship problems, sleep problems, and trouble transitioning from military service to civilian life can all affect soldiers who are struggling with their mental health (Jones et al., 2021). Devastating repercussions for both soldiers and their families can result from mental health conditions, including sadness and anxiety, which can also lead to substance addiction or suicide (Sawyer, 2020).
Moreover, mental health problems can make it difficult for a soldier to participate in regular activities like hobbies and social events. This can exacerbate mental health problems and cause feelings of loneliness. Soldiers must prioritize their mental health in order to be prepared for battle and for their own personal well-being (Jones et al., 2021). Military units should seek assistance when necessary and take part in activities that enhance mental health, such as spending time with loved ones, meditating, and looking for social support.
It is imperative that soldiers have access to mental health services, given the significant repercussions of untreated mental health concerns. The Military Health System (MHS) provides mental health services to army personnel (Sawyer, 2020). A variety of mental health services are offered by the MHS, including crisis intervention, medication management, and counseling. Furthermore, the army has put in place programs like the Real Warriors Campaign, which encourages military members to seek help to lessen the stigma attached to using mental health services.
Physical Fitness
The physical fitness of soldiers in the army is also an essential aspect of military training and preparation. Retaining a good level of physical fitness is essential for a soldier’s effectiveness on the battlefield because it directly influences how well they can accomplish their job (Wiese et al., 2019). As a result, the army’s first concern should be maintaining physical health. The military places a high priority on operational readiness, which is the capacity of military units to deploy and carry out missions successfully (Wiese et al., 2019).
Being physically fit is essential for soldiers to be operationally ready because they must be able to deploy swiftly and perform their tasks in any setting. Physically unfit soldiers could have trouble carrying out their responsibilities in demanding situations, like lugging heavy equipment or working in high-altitude conditions (Wiese et al., 2019). If soldiers who are not physically fit might not be able to keep up with the demands of the task, this could substantially impact how well military operations are conducted.
In addition to enhancing operational readiness, physical fitness enhances combat effectiveness and soldier resilience. Being physically fit is essential for soldiers to be combat-effective since it directly influences their capacity to carry out their responsibilities in war. For instance, physically unfit soldiers can find it difficult to engage in close combat or traverse difficult terrain, which could lead to mission failure (Wiese et al., 2019).
Furthermore, being physically active improves mental toughness, which is necessary for soldiers to withstand the physical and emotional stress of combat. Soldiers with resilience can recover from trying circumstances like injuries or setbacks. Physical fitness is a key component in fostering troop resilience since it aids in injury recovery and stress management (Wiese et al., 2019). Physically unfit soldiers may be more prone to accidents and may find it challenging to handle the mental strain of military service. In addition, being physically fit supports better sleep habits and self-esteem, all of which are essential for troop resilience.
The army has put in place initiatives to promote physical fitness because it understands how important it is. A common exam for evaluating a soldier’s physical fitness is the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) (Wiese et al., 2019). The examination gauges a soldier’s capacity for sit-ups, push-ups, and a two-mile run. The army also provides fitness training courses, such as the Soldier Physical Readiness Program (SPRP), which gives soldiers thorough physical preparation (Wiese et al., 2019). These initiatives are created to support soldiers in maintaining their high levels of physical fitness, which are essential for them to carry out their tasks efficiently.
Tactical Unit Readiness
Tactical unit readiness is also among the top priorities for the Army because it ensures that soldiers are prepared for any situation they may encounter. The capacity of a tactical unit to successfully complete its given duties and tasks is referred to as tactical unit readiness. Any military operation must be successfully completed in order for this readiness to exist (Byman & Waxman, 2020).
The ability of the soldiers to adjust to shifting conditions on the battlefield is just as crucial to tactical unit readiness as their physical fitness. It also calls for strong teamwork, excellent communication, and high mental and physical readiness. When units are prepared, they have the knowledge, tools, and resources to carry out their task successfully (Byman & Waxman, 2020). This increases the likelihood that the soldiers will complete their missions and come home safely. Moreover, readiness guarantees that the Army can react swiftly to any threat or crisis, whether it is a natural disaster or a threat to national security.
Tactical unit readiness is a top priority because it allows the Army to maintain a high level of readiness and operational capability. Being operationally prepared allows a unit to react swiftly and decisively to any scenario, which frequently makes the difference between success and failure on the battlefield (Byman & Waxman, 2020).
The Army must make sure that its soldiers are appropriately equipped and trained in order to attain tactical unit readiness. Military units must get training to function proficiently in various contexts, including urban settings, desert terrain, and jungle warfare. They must also be skilled at using a variety of weapons and tools, such as light weapons, heavier weapons, and communications tools. Soldiers must regularly engage in drills and exercises to retain their skills and readiness as part of this continual training.
In addition, training is crucial to the preparedness of tactical units. Soldiers must undertake extensive training to be physically and mentally ready for war activities. This training includes physical conditioning, marksmanship, combat drills, and other fundamentals (Byman & Waxman, 2020). In addition, soldiers need to exercise frequently to stay prepared. This training entails rehearsing missions, going through tactics, techniques, and procedures, and working on improving communication and teamwork.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the three most important concerns for troops in the army are mental health, physical fitness, and tactical unit preparedness. Physical fitness is vital for soldiers to carry out their responsibilities successfully, tactical unit readiness is required for a unit to carry out its duties successfully, and mental health is essential for general well-being. Prioritizing these areas will help soldiers be better equipped to meet the demands of their jobs and succeed. The military is in charge of making sure that these priorities receive the consideration they merit and that soldiers have access to the resources they need to achieve them.
References
Byman, D., & Waxman, M. C. (2020). The U.S. Military’s Operational Imperatives: Strategic Context and Operational Realities. Foreign Policy Research Institute, 10(3), 3-18. Web.
Jones, N. A., & Burrell, L. M. (2021). A systematic review of mindfulness interventions in military populations. Journal for Military Medicine, 186(2), 157-163. Web.
Sawyer, T. (2020). The relationship between stress, resilience, and mental health in the U.S. Army: A moderated mediation model. Journal for Military Medicine, 185(8), 1092-1098. Web.
Wiese, B. S., Gerhardt, M. W., Prange-Kiel, J., & Römer, S. (2019). The impact of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and cognition in aging soldiers. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11(3), 56. Web.