Photo By Master Sgt. Victor Gardner | Maj. Edward Worthington III (left), executive officer of 1st Battalion, 363rd Regiment...... read more read more
DUBLIN, Calif. –A local Army unit has been recognized for the impact its Soldiers have made on a group of Dublin High School students.
The “We Do” Battalion – 1st Battalion, 363rd Regiment (Training Support Battalion), 189th Infantry Brigade, Division West, First Army – was nominated by Dublin High School Transition Program students for the California Legislative Assembly’s "Making a Difference" award. The award was presented to the unit at Dublin High School May 14.
Maj. Edward Worthington III, 1-363rd executive officer, and Sgt. First Class Rodney Middleton, the detachment first sergeant, accepted the award on behalf of the unit. During the ceremony, California State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan recognized the battalion for having gone “above and beyond” to make a difference in the lives of special needs children in the community.
The Dublin High School’s Transition Program is designed to help students develop “soft skills,” which help people with special needs become more dependable, responsible, punctual, adaptable, honest, honorable, well-mannered, positive toward work, and appropriately dressed and groomed. Soft skills also refer to such attributes as the ability to get along with others, work in teams, attend to tasks, and work independently.
A chance meeting between Worthington and Transition Program teacher Bree LeMonie blossomed into a partnership that is growing ties between the Dublin community and local military organizations. Neither LeMonie nor Worthington anticipated the full impact of the partnership, but they felt it would be good for both groups.
“This opportunity is an enduring relationship that benefits the community, adds importance to our Soldiers’ lives and, most importantly, assists young special needs students in their quest to become positive and productive members of society,” Worthington said. “In short, [we’re creating] lasting friendships built on mutual respect and admiration.”
Sean Pitts, a student in Dublin High School’s Transition Program, initiated the award nomination for the battalion. Pitts said working with the Soldiers of 1-363rd has taught him some valuable lessons.
“At first I was a little afraid, because I thought they were going to be like drill sergeants and very mean,” Pitts said. “But after working with them and getting to know them, they were very nice and made us feel very comfortable.”
One of the goals for the partnership was to provide every student with opportunities to grow and not be labeled a “needy person.” Middleton tasked his unit to develop plans to help not just the students, but the Soldiers, as well.
“We felt it was important for us to expose the students to all types of career fields and learn different aspects of each job,” Middleton said. “In the past, the students did odd jobs, stocked shelves, and cleaned offices. They weren't challenged. We wanted to give the students a broader experience with an understanding of how things worked and why, learn time management, be stewards of resources and meet suspenses.”
The students were also given goals to work toward during the summer and were required to provide feedback on their efforts after returning to school in the fall. Some goals were to find a summer job, work on communication skills or participate more in group activities. By the end of the school year, most students met their goals.
“I learned more about responsibility,” Pitts said. “I took what I learned about responsibility and applied it to myself. Plus, I get a sense of pride because I feel like I’m helping the Army. This is why I nominated [the 1-363rd]. We Do!”
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The 363rd Training Support Battalion, 189th Infantry Brigade, Division West, supports units throughout the complete training cycle to achieve collective training readiness in accordance with United States Armed Forces Command, First Army, and 189th Infantry Brigade directives in building competent and capable units able to meet the Army Force Generation requirements
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2014 16:49 |
| Story ID: | 145554 |
| Location: | DUBLIN, CA, US |
| Hometown: | BATTLE CREEK, MI, US |
| Hometown: | DUBLIN, CA, US |
| Hometown: | LIVERMORE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | PLEASANTON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | TROY, NY, US |
| Hometown: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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