Warrior’s Edge training to reinforce resilience

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Whitely
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs

50th Space Wing leadership will host a Warrior’s Edge course at the fitness center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 15, open to both active duty members and Reserve Citizen Airmen.

The course consists of an eight hour leadership seminar followed by eight weeks of virtual follow-up.

Jessica Ditson, 50th Space Wing violence prevention integrator, said more than 140 people have signed up to attend the training.

“Warrior’s Edge is designed to help leaders elevate their performance by teaching skills which can keep leaders and those around them physically and mentally healthy,” she said. “Hopefully after attending the course, attendees will be better able to find harmony at work and home.”

Warrior’s Edge was developed by Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks head coach; Mike Gervais, sports psychologist; and retired Lt. Col. Jannell MacAulay, Air Force human performance consultant. The course is a performance-based, mindset training program with a warrior spin.

Ditson said the course is a form of “pre-hab.”

“Pre-hab is a form of prevention which helps keep people healthy and performing over the course of their career,” she said. “It teaches people to be proactive leaders instead of reactive leaders, which is a skill set that can be used in and out of work.”

Ditson said there will be two sessions Aug. 16 for anyone to attend. One will be in the auditorium 10-11 a.m. and the other at the base fitness center 2-3 p.m.

“It is important we as leaders show up and be present for those around us,” she said. “It’s important to know how to be there, there’s inclusion and belongingness. Making someone feel like they belong is far more important than just including them in what we do.”

The course focuses on 16 principles of mindset, to help individuals thrive in any environment. The principles are:

  • Mindfulness
  • Calm
  • Confidence
  • Focus
  • Trust
  • High-performance
  • Personal philosophy
  • Vision
  • Character
  • Think well
  • Move well
  • Eat/Hydrate well
  • Sleep well
  • Grit
  • Control  
  • optimism

Ditson said she hopes the training will help leaders grow together, raising their overall performance.

 “The military can be a high-stress environment,” she said. “There’s a lot expected of those serving so it’s important to keep your mind and body ready to perform the mission at a high level.”

Master Sgt. Benjamin Davis, 4th Space Operations first sergeant, said he plans on attending the course.

“I am excited to attend Warrior’s Edge training as I have heard it has been beneficial to other units,” he said.

Davis said he hopes members are able to walk away with lessons and skills they can pass on to their teams and communities to build stronger communications and relationships.

“It is my responsibility to do whatever I can to educate myself and understand any toolsets available which best support my members and my unit,” he said. “By passing on the information learned, leaders are able to create force multipliers within their units.”

For more information contact Capt. Gabriel Pentkowski at 567-5001 or Jessica Ditson at 567-2647.