THE MONGOLIAN SPORTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO COMPREHENSIVE DEFENSE
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Authors
Steinwachs, Adam C.
Subjects
Mongolia
sports
education
physical fitness
resilience
sports
education
physical fitness
resilience
Advisors
Houck, Shannon C.
Date of Issue
2023-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Mongolia’s democracy is at a critical juncture as the government seeks to balance the influence of Russia and China. Maintaining its sovereignty in the face of increasing pressures from its neighbors requires a resilient population. This capstone examined the role of physical education in Mongolia as a way to strengthen individual and collective resiliency. This led to the development of The Mongolian Sports and Education Program. The program draws from expertise acquired through a 10-year collegiate coaching career. Further, the program was informed by experience gained through multiple deployments to Mongolia, where it was revealed that suicide is a widespread problem. The program was created to bolster individual resilience by encouraging active lifestyles to reduce depression, anxiety, and suicide. The program was piloted in Ulaanbaatar in June and September 2023. Following the success of each pilot engagement, two public schools, the MAF, and a nongovernmental organization decided to utilize the program. Currently, the program is projected to reach approximately 7,300 students in Mongolia. This unique program provides Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) a scalable resource for special operations forces to expand engagement with partners in Mongolia and allies across the enterprise.
Type
Thesis
Description
Includes Supplementary Material
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.