Photo By Sgt. William Begley | David Bennett, right, the ASAP and prevention coordinator for Hunter, gives Sgt....... read more read more
HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - Soldiers from 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, received classes and resources helpful in building resilience. The information in the classes is useful now and after the Army in various subjects directly from the experts as part of a Life Skills Expo at the Hunter Club, Sept. 4-5.
The classes, with topics from finance to life choices, are focused to reducing Soldiers’ likelihood in conducting high risk behavior. Post agencies aligned with Army Community Service supported the expo with internal support from 3rd CAB staff for classes from the chaplain and brigade legal. The 603rd ASB was the first battalion to experience the expo. Additional battalions will follow after feedback is heard and leaders assess whether changes are needed.
Teressa Quick-Freeman, a Family Advocacy Program specialist at ACS, said finance and employment readiness will be a big part of the expo because many Soldiers are looking at life after their service ends.
“The remaining classes are things that help with life and Family, skill building, spiritual—for the well being of self,” Quick-Freeman said. “We are doing these classes monthly, whether here or at Fort Stewart.”
The intent of the expo is to get every available Soldier through to receive mandatory classes and some classes chosen by the Soldier to fit their needs.
“This way we do have the maximum participation,” Quick-Freeman said. “Why we are here is to help the Soldier and, regardless of why they are here, the information is valid.”
One of the vendors attending the expo was David Bennett, Army Substance Abuse Program and Suicide Prevention coordinator for Hunter Army Airfield, said he was there to give a class on strong choices—a class designed to look at various options to have fun that do not include the use of drugs and alcohol.
Bennett is also representing the suicide prevention team. September is Suicide Prevention Month and with the recent signing of the proclamation by Maj. Gen. Mike Murray, commanding general of 3rd Infantry Division, Bennett wants to communicate the message to as many Soldiers as possible.
Bennett said that this month focuses on Soldiers working together and standing shoulder to shoulder, assisting those in need who may show signs that can be precursors to hurting themselves. Along with suicide prevention, Bennett is there to shed light on problems with alcohol abuse.
“Take that few minutes if [the situation] involves alcohol. Is it worth the career? Is it worth the Family problems? Is it worth the problems alcohol can cause,” Bennett said.
Captain Collette Cottman, 3rd CAB officer in charge of coordination for the expo, recognized the need to have the information formally presented to the Soldiers from the subject matter experts from agencies around Stewart-Hunter.
“The benefit for the agencies is to have a venue that’s already coordinated and Soldiers,” Cotttman said.
Cottman explained that often these services rely on Soldiers being command referred and not necessarily getting the information and resources available. She adds that it was easy to get the buy-in from the agencies to support.
Private Michael Neyer, Company B, 603rd ASB, attended the Love Beyond Words class, which explained how males and females respond to each other differently to one another and why a lot of times couples disagree.
Sergeant Jimmy Snider, a Pontotoc, Mississippi, native also from Co. B, attended the Employment Readiness class on writing and job search strategies. Snider said he will be transitioning out of the Army and felt the class better prepared him for his future as a civilian employee.
“I felt like [the expo] will prepare me to get a job after the Army by writing a resume without fear of submitting one that is unsuccessful,” Snider said.
Colonel John D. Kline, commander of 3rd CAB, wanted classes for everyone, including Soldiers who were transitioning from the Army.
Kline said after looking at the classes offered, there is something for every leader to learn and put in their kitbag.
“This is all about resiliency and making yourself better,” Kline said. “The military offers a phenomenal basket of resources, and they’re free—and so often is the case we do not take advantage of them.”
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2014 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 141540 |
| Location: | HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, US |
| Hometown: | PONTOTOC, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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