VICTORS: A Conceptual Framework for Implementing and Measuring Military Spiritual Fitness

Abstract

Spiritual Fitness is one of eight components of the Department of Defense’s Total Force Fitness (TFF) model of warfighter health, readiness, and performance. To date, the lack of a shared framework for describing the beliefs and practices that optimize human performance has hampered the identification, measurement, and operationalization of spiritual fitness within the military. To address this need, we propose a values-centered model of spiritual fitness —VICTORS—that defines military spiritual fitness in terms of Values, Integrity, Calling, Tolerance, Openness, Routine, and Selfless Service. The VICTORS framework comprises a broad set of inclusive traits and capabilities that characterize the spiritually fit warfighter within the definition of spiritual fitness as established by instruction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCSI). The application of this framework includes; (1) measurement, (2) training and consultation, (3) supporting chaplaincy, and (4) leadership development. We believe that VICTORS will provide a common military language for the essential components of spiritual fitness and become an actionable framework for enhancing spiritual fitness across the Armed Forces.