Hot Topics & Coffee w/ the Vice: Special Guest Dr. Van Winkle

Summary

Gen. Joe Martin and Dr. Elise Van Winkle discuss how isolation during COVID-19 may weaken soldiers’ resilience and make it harder to notice when someone is struggling. They emphasize that connection, trusted relationships, and access to support can help people address distress and reduce the risk of harmful outcomes.

Key Strategies and Takeaways

• Reach out deliberately: When regular in-person contact is limited, call people consistently and create regular check-ins or “touch points.”
• Pay attention to changes: Personal interactions can make it easier to notice when someone seems unusually stressed or is acting differently. If you notice a change, reach out.
• Build trust at the squad level: Relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and empathy make it easier for soldiers to share concerns and accept help.
• Use a support network: Talk with someone you trust, such as a leader, battle buddy, family member, or chaplain, or contact a confidential support line.
• Be honest about struggles: The speakers encourage people to discuss difficult parts of their lives rather than pretending everything is fine. Sharing vulnerability can help others feel less alone.
• Distinguish guilt from shame: Guilt is remorse about something you did; shame is feeling that you are a bad person. The speakers note that talking through shame can help people recognize that a mistake or struggle does not define them.
• Balance work and personal needs: Compartmentalizing can be necessary to focus on a job, but it helps to have a trusted person or outlet where you can talk openly afterward.
• Treat seeking help as courage: Getting support is presented as a strong and responsible step, not a weakness.

Presenters and Sources

• Gen. Joe Martin, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
• Dr. Elise Van Winkle, Executive Director of the Office of Force Resiliency
• Army initiative discussed: This Is My Squad, including its “golden triangle” of the soldier, squad leader, battle buddy, and family
• Other supports mentioned: Leaders, battle buddies, family members, chaplains, and confidential support lines