Personal Performance Plan: Application of Mental Skills Training to Real-World Military Tasks

Abstract

Recently, several authors have discussed the potential benefits of interdisciplinary cooperation between the military and the field of performance psychology. The purpose of this article is to build upon their suggestions by presenting a phased approach to mental skills training grounded in performance, learning, and military literature that can be applied to a wide variety of military tasks. After discussing the basis for the model's content, structure, and training approach, details of the mental training protocol are provided, a case example involving Army Infantry Soldiers is presented, and directions for future research and lessons learned are offered.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to thank James A. Hite Jr., Ed.D. for his help with research and reviewing the manuscript as well as COL (Ret.) Terry Zoccola for his guidance and leadership, particularly during the initial development stage. The lead author would like to thank Tamara for her support.