NCJ Number
50663
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE PHILOSOPHY AND PROGRAM OF THE U.S. ARMY RETRAINING BRIGADE, A CORRECTIONAL REHABILITATION FACILITY FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
AS A RESULT OF EXTENSIVE PROBLEMS ANALYSIS, THE U.S. ARMY RETRAINING BRIGADE WAS ACTIVATED AT FORT RILEY, KANS. ON APRIL 1, 1968. SOLDIERS COURT-MARTIALED AND GIVEN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS CONFINEMENT AND WITHOUT AN APPROVED PUNITIVE DISCHARGE ARE ELIGIBLE TO COME TO THE RETRAINING BRIGADE. THE BRIGADE'S OBJECTIVE IS TO RETURN MILITARY OFFENDERS TO DUTY AS COMPETENT, MOTIVATED SOLDIERS WHO ARE ABLE TO PERFORM THEIR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS. THOSE WHO CANNOT BE SO REHABILITATED ARE DISCHARGED OR TRANSFERRED TO THE U.S. DISCIPLINARY BARRACKS OR APPROPRIATE CONFINEMENT FACILITY. THE GENERAL DEFICIENCIES OF THOSE COMING TO THE RETRAINING BRIGADE ARE AS FOLLOWS: LACK OF PROBLEM SOLVING SKILL; UNAWARE OF ALTERNATIVES TO MISBEHAVIOR; OUT OF TOUCH WITH SELF; POOR SELF-CONCEPT; LACKING IN SOCIAL SKILLS; AND REACTS RATHER THAN REFLECTS. THE PROGRAM INTENDS TO ELIMINATE THESE DEFICIENCIES BY HELPING PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS AND TEACH THEM TO REFLECT RATHER THAN REACT. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF RIGOROUS PHYSICAL TRAINING, PERSONAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, AND THE STRUCTURING OF CHALLENGING PROBLEMSOLVING SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE USE OF SOCIAL SKILLS. THE INTENT IS TO HELP THE PARTICIPANTS FUNCTION IN SIMULATED RETRAINING SITUATIONS THAT ARE ANALOGOUS TO ACTUAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS. THE BRIGADE STAFF IS COMPOSED OF PERSONNEL IN THE FIELDS OF LAW, THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, RELIGION, ADMINISTRATION, CORRECTIONS, AND COMBAT ARMS. IT IS REPORTED THAT IN MORE THAN 8 YEARS OF OPERATION, THE PROGRAM HAS ENABLED 30,000 TRAINEES TO COMPLETE THEIR MILITARY SERVICE. (RCB)