Culturally Aware Mindfulness Training for Army Leaders: A Scalable Solution to Strengthen Mental Readiness
November 21, 2025 DOI: 10.56902/etdcrp.2025.84 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Population | U.S. Army soldiers participating in focus groups |
| Intervention | Mindfulness practices |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Argues that daily mindfulness practices can function as a cost-effective, scalable force-multiplier for U.S. Army psychological readiness by reducing symptom burden, raising distress tolerance, and sharpening performance, and proposes embedding them alongside physical training using culturally appropriate military language to overcome stigma, waitlists, and civilian-centric messaging. |
Abstract
This doctoral paper examines cost-effective, easily distributed mindfulness practices as a force-multiplier for psychological readiness in the U.S. Army. Daily mindfulness reduces symptom burden, raises distress tolerance, and sharpens performance—all without added equipment, appointments, or cost. However, stigma, long waitlists, and civilian-centric messaging still deter soldiers from adapting mindfulness practices. Rather than replacing clinicians, the program functions as preventive maintenance and a bridge while soldiers await care, thereby easing load on an overtaxed system. By embedding mental fitness alongside physical PT, the Army can advance its mandate to “deploy, fight, and win” with forces that are both mentally and physically ready. The findings provide a scalable template for integrating low-burden mental readiness training across the force. Drawing on the lived experience of focus group participants, this project introduces mindfulness framed in culturally appropriate military language.