The Global Assessment Tool (GAT) 2.0 is one of the main components of the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) program. By using this confidential online survey tool, Soldiers and their spouses may assess their physical and psychological health conveniently from the privacy of their own homes. After completing the assessment, individuals receive a list of customized recommendations and accessible resources to boost resiliency and performance.
GAT is based on the Five Dimensions of Strength: social, emotional, family, spiritual and physical. These five dimensions have been identified by the DoD as key to overall Total Force Fitness.
1. Social Fitness
Social fitness involves one’s trust in their co-workers, family and friends. More importantly, it speaks to the level of trust others have in a person and that person’s value as a team member. Mutual trust and valued relationships and friendships offer opportunities to share ideas, views and experiences, often in non-judgmental environments. This type of open communication is crucial to maintaining a healthy state of mind.
2. Emotional Fitness
Emotional Fitness deals with approaching life’s challenges in a positive and optimistic manner. This may be done by demonstrating self-control, stamina and good character in one’s choices and actions. Strong emotional control enables one to calmly think through stressful situations, which may lead to better decision making. The ability to use good judgment and properly discern circumstances may lead to profound benefits for both a Soldier’s Family and unit.
3. Family Fitness
Family Fitness is extremely important to overall mental fitness. A safe and caring family network may provide a positive support system which one may rely on during difficult or trying times. When thinking of family, it is important to remember that a family network is not limited to biological families. For some, a group of trusted friends may function as the family network. For others, it may be members of a support group. Members of the Army National Guard have the benefit of a military Family. In times of trouble, Soldiers may lean on their fellow brothers and sisters in arms for support and advice. Whether the family is made up of biological family members, close friends or fellow service members, being part of a positive family network is fundamental to overall wellness.
4. Spiritual Fitness
Spiritual Fitness pertains to having and building upon a set of beliefs, principles or values that sustain a person beyond family, institutions and social groups. It represents a moral code that helps shape how well one interacts with others. Spiritual fitness often results in a higher sense of purpose that enables one to build inner strength, find meaning in life’s many and varied experiences, behave ethically and persevere through challenges and adversity.
5. Physical Fitness
Physical Fitness is a concept with which Soldiers are all too familiar. For many, the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of physical fitness is how toned and muscular a person is. After completing just one two-mile run during the annual Army Physical Fitness Test, any Soldier may attest to the fact that physical fitness is also about how well one performs in stressful activities requiring aerobic fitness, endurance and strength. This requires a strong body maintained through regular aerobic and strength-training exercise, coupled with healthy eating habits based on nutritious, heart-healthy foods. Developing good physical fitness habits will not only help to improve Soldiers’ performance in the Army National Guard, but also their overall quality of life.
In addition to the Five Dimensions of Strength, the GAT provides users with their RealAge® – a calculation of the age of one’s body based on health factors versus the person’s actual chronological age. The tool also scores users on the Performance Triad (sleep, activity and nutrition).
Soldiers and spouses may take the GAT on ArmyFit at ArmyFit.army.mil/Protected. Note that spouses must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to create an account on ArmyFit.
By Staff Writer Ruth Ann Replogle
