Developing and Sustaining Spiritual Readiness in Army Leaders

Abstract

This research project addresses Developing and Sustaining Spiritual Readiness in Army Leaders. The project asks: How can Army leaders develop and sustain a resilient spiritual core that undergirds strong moral and ethical character, especially in times of stress, hardship, tragedy, and moral complexity? The project explores how Chaplains can help leaders get upstream of emotional and spiritual crises, so that when inevitable personal and professional challenges come along, and especially when faced with possible Large-Scale Combat Operations, they are prepared to navigate the rapids. The project includes interviews about spiritual resilience with eight retired women Army leaders who are West Point graduates. It addresses how my qualitative research and key topics such as Posttraumatic Stress/Posttraumatic Growth, Moral Injury/Moral Drift, and writings about midlife spirituality inform my conclusions. Finally, the project offers chaplains an outline for a spiritual readiness training event for leaders and recommendations for individual counseling with leaders.