Santo Domingo. - In a joint initiative, the Dominican Republic Army (ERD) and the Chaplaincy Directorate of the United States Army South (USARSOUTH) carried out the first training in Traumatic Event Management (TEM) at the 16 de Agosto Military Camp.
The training was aimed at the members of the Humanitarian and Rescue Unit (UHR) and included soldiers from the Army who participated in the search and rescue efforts during the collapse of the roof of the Jet Set Club in Santo Domingo. In addition, 14 members of the Military Chaplaincy of the ERD participated, headed by Father Alexis Devers Reyes, Senior Military Chaplain.
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The objective of the training is to dispel the trauma experienced by soldiers working in this type of event and to establish the basis for sustained emotional and spiritual care, for the benefit of the mental health of the members of the Dominican Republic Army.
Participants were instructed on the tools needed to process and find meaning in the traumatic situations faced during those operations.
The instruction was carried out from May 20 to 22, during which period, the USARSOUTH religious affairs team trained the trainees in the application of the TEM model, developed from the events of September 11, 2001 in the United States.
The training concluded with group workshops in which, through open dialogues with the participating soldiers, healing and emotional release were promoted.