The Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., recently to meet with leaders to discuss the Army’s Ready and Resilient Campaign.Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg observed some of the measures that support this Army-wide program."This is about making us an even stronger Army," Bromberg said.Adding, "We want to carry that message forward so that even at basic training, basic officer training, people coming in understand that resiliency is part of who we are. It’s part of becoming a well-qualified soldier for the future."The Ready and Resilient Campaign, or R2C, incorporates several efforts and programs to improve the readiness and resilience of the Army family – soldiers, Army civilians and families."Readiness is tied into resilience, but life is more complicated than it used to be; there [are] many more stressors," I Corps Chaplain Col. William Laigaie said."We have instantaneous knowledge worldwide of every tragedy that occurs, on top of what we deal with in our personal lives – family, economic difficulties, rapid changes and lots of factors that put pressure on an individual," he added.Chaplain offices are just one of the resources available to soldiers.Specifically, the Army’s R2C will include resilience training as a key part of the Army’s professional military education throughout a soldier’s career."Another goal is to bring in key Army programs to reduce or eliminate suicide and suicidal thoughts; sexual harassment and sexual assault; bullying and hazing; substance abuse; domestic violence; and (remove) any stigma or barriers associated with seeking help," Laigaie said.The R2C will develop improved methods to provide leaders and commanders timely and accurate information and metrics to aid them in better identifying "at risk" and "high-risk" soldiers, enabling early intervention.During his visit, Bromberg also touched on several topics such as ways to improve the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, or IDES, to shorten processing times and improve the services provided to soldiers and their families.The IDES is a process that supports wounded, injured or ill soldiers. It delivers the care soldiers need with the benefits they’ve earned, and helps effective transition to civilian life.Bromberg addressed other initiatives including the Army Career Alumni Program, known as ACAP, and an overview on the Veterans In Piping, or VIP, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Stone Education Center."We want to make you stronger through resiliency but also ACAP is part of that; it gives you standards and training that make you career ready," Bromberg said.Adding, "We minimize that time from when you take off the uniform to the time you put on your suit or work boots or whatever you’re going to do. It allows you to go into the workforce faster with a higher level of confidence."The VIP program offers skills training and jobs in the pipe trades to veterans and active duty military personnel preparing to leave the service."Soldiers train while on duty for a promising career when they leave the service," Bromberg said."The Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, all those programs are designed to help the soldier become career-ready," he added.Participants enroll in accelerated 18-week courses in welding or heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration services.Both fields have a demand for skilled workers. They also earn industry-recognized certifications as a part of their education.Bromberg was briefed on the post’s programs and resources such as Army Community Services and the Warrior Transition Battalion.He thanked the facilities, soldiers and civilians working in support of R2C."The goal at the end of this is a stronger Army," Bromberg said.Adding, "We can get better, we need to continue to do that. Resiliency is going to be absolutely essential to the future."