When we hear that the U.S. Army is spending $117 million to toughen up combat troops mentally, we certainly don't expect the ancient Spartan regime of blood soup, reed beds and whippings to inure one to pain. Yet we might not guess a program of "emotional resiliency classes," either. But the money is being used to train 1500 sergeants to teach precisely that, making them de facto psychologists. FoxNews.com reports, writing, "The new $117 million dollar program is based on the research of Dr. Martin Seligman, chairman of the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center, who has been consulting with the Pentagon and whom the Army calls 'Dr. Happy.'"
Now, growing up in New York City, "Dr. Happy" has a ring of familiarity to it. Wasn't he that undocumented pharmacist who operated near the corner of 5th Avenue and 125th Street? Could be, it's just a short lateral move to academia.
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