Female Soldier, sergeant learns responsibilities of leadership

Photo By Sgt. Beyonka Joseph | Louisiana Army National Guard Soldier Sgt. Zabrina D. Harris, from Detachment 1,...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. Beyonka Joseph | Louisiana Army National Guard Soldier Sgt. Zabrina D. Harris, from Detachment 1, 1022nd Vertical Company, 527th Engineer Battalion in Bossier City, La., keeps watch in a guard tower during a field training exercise at the Warrior Leader Course at Camp Livingston in Ball, La. WLC is a two-week course that teaches Soldiers the responsibilities of leadership as non-commissioned officers.  see less | View Image Page

BALL, UNITED STATES

03.19.2009

Story by Sgt. Beyonka Joseph 

Louisiana National Guard

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BALL, La. – Being a dedicated Soldier and stepping into a position of leadership is not something that everyone can do successfully. It takes time, training and drive to harness these qualities of a non-commissioned officer; all of which Louisiana Army National Guardsman Sgt. Zabrina D. Harris possesses.

Harris, a soft-spoken plumber assigned to Detachment 1, 1022nd Vertical Company, 527th Engineer Battalion, always knew she didn't want to just be a member of the National Guard, but a proficient leader.

"After being promoted to sergeant, I realized that I wanted more for my Soldiers and myself," said the 25-year-old resident of Shreveport, La. "I wanted to be involved in a way that would allow me to be on the ground helping them produce quality work."

To further her skills as a leader, Harris attended the LANG's Warrior Leader Course at Camp Cook in Ball, La.

"I knew that WLC would help me delegate better as a leader," she stressed. "I wanted a better knowledge of the military and didn't want to just pick it up on the weekends."

WLC, which is a two week course that begins the non-commissioned officer education system, is non-specific to the Soldier's military occupational specialty and covers many basic leadership skills.

Harris explained that when she first arrived, WLC was a shocking experience for her. "I was accustomed to just the normal weekend drills, but this was different," she laughed.

"Here, it was more like going through a refresher of Basic Combat Training, but from a leadership perspective."

For two weeks, students participate in physical fitness training, individual skills training, drill and ceremony, land navigation and leadership exercises, as well as classroom lectures to enhance their skills and abilities to lead troops into combat.

"The environment was different than I expected, but I adjusted and found myself taking initiative. My instructors taught me how to be a non-commissioned officer," she explained. "I really appreciate what they did and how they were able to help me become an all-around Soldier."

Developing Soldiers into stronger leaders is one of the main goals of this basic non-commissioned officer's training.

"At WLC, you will constantly be put under pressure, just as you would in combat situations," said Sgt. 1st Class Kelly McFarlain of Lafayette, La., senior WLC instructor. "We try to put the Soldiers into leadership roles so they can step up and lead with a sense of confidence."

"It's an awesome thing to see them doing things outside the box while improving the NCO Corps, because they learn things that can someday save a Soldier's life," he added.

Harris said learning to work with the different backgrounds and personalities of Soldiers was a challenging task.

"When you deal with a whole new mixture of Soldiers and have to work together as a team, the process is challenging," she said. "You learn that you have to be patient and more sensitive to others and their needs, because in the end, it's all about teamwork."

For many females, WLC affords another opportunity to show that they can equally perform the same duties and functions as their male counterparts.

"When males see we train and work as hard as them, they have more respect for us. We may not be as physically strong as them, but females can achieve just as much," Harris continued.

"In most of the classes, we have a lot of females who excel and become student-leaders in charge of the whole company," McFarlain said. "I think it is an opportunity for them to prove that they are equal."

Harris gave credit to the 15-day course for providing her with the skills she needed to become a better leader. What she has accomplished is something that she will continue to use and she looks forward to giving back to her unit with a new sense of pride and leadership.

"We are professionals who should be capable of training and leading other Soldiers in the right direction to prepare them as future leaders," Harris said. "Many say or think that WLC is easy, but it's not. It is challenging and tough, but the training and experience is well worth it."