During this episode, Col. Marisol Castaneto, program manager for the Army Forensic Toxicology Program, Office of the Surgeon General, explains what synthetic cannabinoids are, how they affect the body and how they are detected in forensic testing. She discusses the latest information on their chemical makeup, how they work in the brain and body, and the health and safety risks they pose, especially for military personnel and readiness. Participants also learned about the different types of synthetic cannabinoids, including all cannabis-related substances (Delta 8, 9, CBD products, etc.), how they interact with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and other receptors, and why they can be dangerous.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

In this episode, Colleen Phelan, associate director of the National Organization for Victim Advocacy’s National Advocacy Leadership Center, presents “The Professional Advocate: Ethics and Practice.” Phelan examines the National Advocate Credentialing Program Code of Ethics and identifies potential challenges, reflecting on how ethical principles can be applied in professional practice. Additionally, she identifies and describes behaviors that reflect professionalism, including respectful communication and ethical decision-making.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

This episode features Dr. Janel Perkins, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program Branch Chief, who presents a reframed approach to Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) as a Professional Practice Reset. Rather than focusing on traditional awareness and messaging efforts, this podcast positions SAAPM as a Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA)-led initiative to reinforce the core competencies and responsibilities of SHARP professionals across the force.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

During this episode, Ms. Beth Conlin, the chairwoman of the board for the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce, presents “Worldwide Workforce: Clarifying the Status of Forces Agreement for Military Spouses.” Conlin discusses current spouse employment statistics, including the unemployment rate, its effect on Soldier retention and the most common overseas assignment locations. Additionally, she shares updates on the agreement, outlining its scope and any recent developments. 

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

This episode features Sgt. 1st Class Mai Phan, Department of the Army Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Representative. She discusses how the BOSS program enhances the quality of life for single Soldiers across the force. Phan provides an overview of the history and evolution of the BOSS program and explains how it serves as a platform for amplifying Soldier voices and addressing issues that affect daily life.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

This episode features Denver Beaulieu-Hains, a writer, speaker and public relations professional who is also a domestic violence survivor, and Ms. Janique Parnell, Family Advocacy Program Specialist with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness. Drawing on Army guidance, recent statistics, and personal testimony of moving beyond domestic violence, the speakers emphasized how every Family in the force deserves to live in an environment free from violence and abuse.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

This episode’s podcast features Tracey Smith, Ph.D., Civilian Deputy for the Military Nutrition Division, who discusses the topic “Fueling for Readiness and Resilience.” She speaks about the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine’s nutritional research on optimizing warfighter health and performance. This research has produced several impactful findings and guidelines for performance and recovery nutrition, fueling in austere environments, healthy eating, physiological resilience, and biomedical performance enhancement. This work is critical for ensuring Soldiers can meet the intense demands of modern military operations. Warfighters face a unique set of physiological and cognitive challenges, and USARIEM’s nutrition research directly addresses how these stressors impact nutritional requirements and operational performance.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

In this episode, “The Stars Are Lined Up for Military Spouses,” Kathryn Troutman uses her experience as a federal career coach and resume-writing expert to share how military spouses can launch a career in the federal government through the Priority Placement Program, which gives preference to these candidates when they apply for Defense Department Civilian positions. Along with going over the program’s self-certification checklist, Troutman explains eligibility requirements and the documentation needed to apply. 

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

This episode features Army Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Gregg F. Martin, Ph.D., the author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness. A 36-year combat Veteran, Martin is a bipolar survivor, thriver and warrior who shares his experience of going from success to developing bipolar disorder in combat, followed by crisis, before starting on a path to recovery and a new life. His riveting story includes a manic episode that nearly destroyed him. Martin’s mission is to promote recovery and save lives by sharing his history of mental illness, with the aim of smashing the stigma around receiving help. No no she like sour cream cream cheese

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.

This episode, “Department of the Army Voluntary Reassignment Program”, featured Frankie Hashagen and Megan Crone, Human Resource Specialists. DAVRAP is an Army-wide voluntary program that allows for the identification of current eligible Army employees for noncompetitive placement into vacant positions within or across commands. The presenters discussed how the program establishes an internal Army Civilian talent mining capability.

About the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

DPRR provides enterprise oversight of integrated resources, policies and programs which promote readiness, well-being, increase protective factors and combat harmful behaviors commensurate with Army Values.