June 2020
Dear Society Members,
Dear Society Members,
When I wrote my first presidential column back in January—which seems like an eternity ago—a global pandemic was not in my thoughts for 2020, and I could not have imagined how COVID-19 would reshape our world and our Division’s plans for 2020. Many of our plans for 2020 are adapting or have changed. As you know, one of the strengths of the military community is its ability to adapt and face challenges. I thank all our Division 19 volunteers who are working to pivot our programming and activities in response to the global pandemic. My presidential theme for 2020 is Stronger Together. This seems even more appropriate as we look back on the first half of 2020 and look forward to the remainder of the year.
I know COVID-19 has impacted many of our members and their families directly. Some of our members have been working on the frontlines, such as Shawnna Chee, and I appreciate the work she and others are doing to fight this pandemic and/or care for the ill and our medical personnel and other first responders. Others are working to prepare their organizations and personnel to operate in the COVID-19 world. Others are applying their expertise to COVID-19 response in other ways. Most are continuing to show up and do their jobs, serving Military members, Veterans and their families. Many are working from home. Some are without work right now. All of you have been in my thoughts daily. I appreciate the efforts of all our members.
Division 19 members understand what it means to volunteer, to act, and to put themselves in harm’s way for others when called. I want to recognize our members who have and are continuing to step up during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are two ways in which we plan to do this.
• We want to highlight and promote the work Division 19 members have been doing in response to the global pandemic, as well as highlight resources developed by Division 19 members that can be helpful in military and non-military contexts. To do this, we need to know what you are doing. Please reach out to our communications committee (jeremy.jinkerson@gmail.com) or me (esurface@alpssols.com) directly and let us know.
• Last year, Past President Stephen Bowles started issuing Division 19 Presidential Citations. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m explicitly asking for nominations of Division 19 members who have gone above and beyond providing response, service and/or expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be taking nominations throughout the year. Nominations for service to Division 19 and military psychology are also accepted. Please contact our Secretary Angela Legner (angelalegner@gmail.com) or me if you would like to nominate someone.
We are Stronger Together.
I want to provide you with a few updates on the Division’s activities since my last president’s column:
• APA Convention. APA 2020 is now virtual. The Division recently received guidance from APA on the parameters for a virtual convention. Hannah Tyler, our program chair, and the committee are working diligently to adapt our program and activities to the constraints of the virtual format. Information will be distributed to members as available. I look forward to seeing you during Division 19’s virtual events.
• 62nd International Military Testing Association (IMTA) Conference. Division 19 had planned to host IMTA in Raleigh, NC, in October 2020. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of hosting a conference in October, the IMTA Management Board decided to postpone the 62nd Annual Conference until 25-28 October 2021. The conference will still take place in Raleigh and will retain the same format with workshops, meetings and the opening reception on 25 October, the main conference 26-28 October, and optional excursions on 29 October. Division 19 is still hosting and committed to making IMTA a success.
• Military Psychology Foundation. Establishing a foundation for military psychology is one of my top priorities. COVID-19 delayed the launch of the taskforce but work has started under the leadership of Scott Johnston.
• Midyear Meeting. In February, the EXCOM met at HumRRO’s offices in Alexandria, Va. I appreciate all the efforts of our officers and committee chairs in making the meeting a success. We accomplished all our agenda items in record time. You can read all the details in the minutes provided by our Secretary Angela Legner. Special thanks to HumRRO for allowing us to use their conference room and providing logistical support for the meeting. I encourage all members to read the minutes and learn about our Division’s governance.
• Student Representative. A motion to add a student representative as a voting member of the EXCOM was passed at the midyear meeting. The motion included a change to the bylaws. A membership vote on the change to the bylaws will be scheduled. This is a strong move forward for our student population, one that will increase their presence and provide them the ability to vote on Division related business items.
• Budget. Division 19 passed its first budget under the stewardship of Treasurer Ryan Landoll at our midyear meeting. Ryan provides more specifics in this issue of the newsletter. This is a great step for the Division in terms of fiscal transparency, accountability and planning. I encourage all members to familiarize themselves with how our Division uses money. One implication of the virtual APA is that we will save a lot of the money budgeted for receptions.
• Military Psychology Journal. Armando Estrada announced he will be stepping down as journal editor at the end of his current appointment. He also announced several new initiatives for the journal, such as the special issue on construct measurement. I thank Armando for his years of service and tireless dedication to Division 19 and our journal. Division 19 would not be the same organization without the revenue from the journal and without Armando’s leadership. A plan for an editor search and transition will be developed and announced soon.
• Hoffman Report. I promised to advocate for the retraction and removal of the Hoffman Report from the APA website. I believe no reconciliation with APA can be complete while the profoundly flawed report remains on an official APA website and continues to cause damage to our members, our Division and military psychology. I stood in as one of our representatives to APA Council of Representative for Becky Blais, who could not attend. Carrie Kennedy and I were able to collect enough signatures from Council representatives to ensure that during a future meeting the resolution to remove the Hoffman report is considered.
Even though COVID-19 has forced some changes and delayed some activities, we will continue to move forward with the Division’s business, while promoting the interests of our members.
On a final note, as I was writing this column, the murder of George Floyd happened and protests all over the world followed. I share the feelings of outrage and heartbreak expressed over the senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black men and women before them. I also share the hopefulness inspired by a broad base of Americans coming together to condemn these horrific acts and exercise their First Amendment rights to protest for change. George Floyd’s death is a tipping point. We must all say, “NO MORE”, and we must all act.
Over the past week, I devoted many hours to listening, learning and reflecting about race and privilege and about systemic racism, discrimination, marginalization, and brutality against People of Color in America. I have participated in conversations with other leaders. I do not have any answers. I cannot tell others how to feel or to think. But, as a leader, I can set an example. I can listen. I can learn, reflect and change. I can be an ally. I can create a safe space for People of Color. I can provide resources. I can encourage listening and dialogue. I can support and encourage change. I can set a zero-tolerance policy for racism. I can speak up against racism and discrimination when I see it. I can give people grace as we discuss these issues and their solutions. I encourage each of you to think about what you can do.
Currently, our Diversity Committee is working on an official statement from Division 19 and on developing resources for our members, including a podcast series. More information will follow from the committee. My hope is that our Division will be a beacon, as it always has been, heralding the values of respect, service, integrity, and unity.
I know the past weeks and months have been emotionally and physically exhausting for many of you. Please engage in selfcare as you perform your duties and take care of others. I wish you all the best!
When I wrote my first presidential column back in January—which seems like an eternity ago—a global pandemic was not in my thoughts for 2020, and I could not have imagined how COVID-19 would reshape our world and our Division’s plans for 2020. Many of our plans for 2020 are adapting or have changed. As you know, one of the strengths of the military community is its ability to adapt and face challenges. I thank all our Division 19 volunteers who are working to pivot our programming and activities in response to the global pandemic. My presidential theme for 2020 is Stronger Together. This seems even more appropriate as we look back on the first half of 2020 and look forward to the remainder of the year.
I know COVID-19 has impacted many of our members and their families directly. Some of our members have been working on the frontlines, such as Shawnna Chee, and I appreciate the work she and others are doing to fight this pandemic and/or care for the ill and our medical personnel and other first responders. Others are working to prepare their organizations and personnel to operate in the COVID-19 world. Others are applying their expertise to COVID-19 response in other ways. Most are continuing to show up and do their jobs, serving Military members, Veterans and their families. Many are working from home. Some are without work right now. All of you have been in my thoughts daily. I appreciate the efforts of all our members.
Division 19 members understand what it means to volunteer, to act, and to put themselves in harm’s way for others when called. I want to recognize our members who have and are continuing to step up during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are two ways in which we plan to do this.
• We want to highlight and promote the work Division 19 members have been doing in response to the global pandemic, as well as highlight resources developed by Division 19 members that can be helpful in military and non-military contexts. To do this, we need to know what you are doing. Please reach out to our communications committee (jeremy.jinkerson@gmail.com) or me (esurface@alpssols.com) directly and let us know.
• Last year, Past President Stephen Bowles started issuing Division 19 Presidential Citations. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m explicitly asking for nominations of Division 19 members who have gone above and beyond providing response, service and/or expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be taking nominations throughout the year. Nominations for service to Division 19 and military psychology are also accepted. Please contact our Secretary Angela Legner (angelalegner@gmail.com) or me if you would like to nominate someone.
We are Stronger Together.
I want to provide you with a few updates on the Division’s activities since my last president’s column:
• APA Convention. APA 2020 is now virtual. The Division recently received guidance from APA on the parameters for a virtual convention. Hannah Tyler, our program chair, and the committee are working diligently to adapt our program and activities to the constraints of the virtual format. Information will be distributed to members as available. I look forward to seeing you during Division 19’s virtual events.
• 62nd International Military Testing Association (IMTA) Conference. Division 19 had planned to host IMTA in Raleigh, NC, in October 2020. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of hosting a conference in October, the IMTA Management Board decided to postpone the 62nd Annual Conference until 25-28 October 2021. The conference will still take place in Raleigh and will retain the same format with workshops, meetings and the opening reception on 25 October, the main conference 26-28 October, and optional excursions on 29 October. Division 19 is still hosting and committed to making IMTA a success.
• Military Psychology Foundation. Establishing a foundation for military psychology is one of my top priorities. COVID-19 delayed the launch of the taskforce but work has started under the leadership of Scott Johnston.
• Midyear Meeting. In February, the EXCOM met at HumRRO’s offices in Alexandria, Va. I appreciate all the efforts of our officers and committee chairs in making the meeting a success. We accomplished all our agenda items in record time. You can read all the details in the minutes provided by our Secretary Angela Legner. Special thanks to HumRRO for allowing us to use their conference room and providing logistical support for the meeting. I encourage all members to read the minutes and learn about our Division’s governance.
• Student Representative. A motion to add a student representative as a voting member of the EXCOM was passed at the midyear meeting. The motion included a change to the bylaws. A membership vote on the change to the bylaws will be scheduled. This is a strong move forward for our student population, one that will increase their presence and provide them the ability to vote on Division related business items.
• Budget. Division 19 passed its first budget under the stewardship of Treasurer Ryan Landoll at our midyear meeting. Ryan provides more specifics in this issue of the newsletter. This is a great step for the Division in terms of fiscal transparency, accountability and planning. I encourage all members to familiarize themselves with how our Division uses money. One implication of the virtual APA is that we will save a lot of the money budgeted for receptions.
• Military Psychology Journal. Armando Estrada announced he will be stepping down as journal editor at the end of his current appointment. He also announced several new initiatives for the journal, such as the special issue on construct measurement. I thank Armando for his years of service and tireless dedication to Division 19 and our journal. Division 19 would not be the same organization without the revenue from the journal and without Armando’s leadership. A plan for an editor search and transition will be developed and announced soon.
• Hoffman Report. I promised to advocate for the retraction and removal of the Hoffman Report from the APA website. I believe no reconciliation with APA can be complete while the profoundly flawed report remains on an official APA website and continues to cause damage to our members, our Division and military psychology. I stood in as one of our representatives to APA Council of Representative for Becky Blais, who could not attend. Carrie Kennedy and I were able to collect enough signatures from Council representatives to ensure that during a future meeting the resolution to remove the Hoffman report is considered.
Even though COVID-19 has forced some changes and delayed some activities, we will continue to move forward with the Division’s business, while promoting the interests of our members.
On a final note, as I was writing this column, the murder of George Floyd happened and protests all over the world followed. I share the feelings of outrage and heartbreak expressed over the senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black men and women before them. I also share the hopefulness inspired by a broad base of Americans coming together to condemn these horrific acts and exercise their First Amendment rights to protest for change. George Floyd’s death is a tipping point. We must all say, “NO MORE”, and we must all act.
Over the past week, I devoted many hours to listening, learning and reflecting about race and privilege and about systemic racism, discrimination, marginalization, and brutality against People of Color in America. I have participated in conversations with other leaders. I do not have any answers. I cannot tell others how to feel or to think. But, as a leader, I can set an example. I can listen. I can learn, reflect and change. I can be an ally. I can create a safe space for People of Color. I can provide resources. I can encourage listening and dialogue. I can support and encourage change. I can set a zero-tolerance policy for racism. I can speak up against racism and discrimination when I see it. I can give people grace as we discuss these issues and their solutions. I encourage each of you to think about what you can do.
Currently, our Diversity Committee is working on an official statement from Division 19 and on developing resources for our members, including a podcast series. More information will follow from the committee. My hope is that our Division will be a beacon, as it always has been, heralding the values of respect, service, integrity, and unity.
I know the past weeks and months have been emotionally and physically exhausting for many of you. Please engage in selfcare as you perform your duties and take care of others. I wish you all the best!
We are Stronger Together!
Best Regards,
Eric A. Surface, PhD
2020 President
Fellow
Society for Military Psychology (Division 19, APA)
2020 President
Fellow
Society for Military Psychology (Division 19, APA)
