Resiliency Testing Introduced for U.S. Soldiers

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Regular assessments of soldiers' resiliency will be introduced by the U.S. Army this fall in a program that was created partly as a response to rising numbers of soldier suicides.

As of Oct. 1, all active duty and reserve soldiers will be required to complete an online, 170-question assessment designed to assess how they're feeling emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The test will be repeated every two years, the Associated Press reported.

Soldiers' scores on the test won't be revealed to their commanders. However, commanders will be told if soldiers have taken the test and participated in follow-up training. All soldiers will receive some training regardless of their scores.

"It's not looking for disease," said Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, chief of comprehensive solider fitness, the AP reported. "We only know if (progress) is sufficient if in two years the solder scores better and is better in the interim."