Task Force Marne Soldiers walk against sexual assault

Courtesy Photo | Col. Charles E.A. Sexton, 2nd "Spartan" Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, leads the way during the early-morning Sexual Harassment/Assault Awareness Walk at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. Approximately 100 Soldiers took part in the early morning walk. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

02.12.2010

Courtesy Story

United States Division-North

By Sgt. Johnathon Jobson

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Service members and support personnel from across the U.S. Division- North area of operations gathered to raise awareness about sexual harassment and sexual assault, Feb. 12. About 700 personnel participated in walks and runs on their respective operating bases, as part of the Army's "I. A.M. Strong."

Sexual assaults are a serious concern for unit commanders and Army leadership as a whole.

"Sexual assault is an issue that is very much on the forefront with our Army leaders right now," said Capt. Chadwick Swenson, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Operations Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. "It is a subject that can absolutely wreck the effectiveness and destroy the morale and esprit-de-corps of a unit."

At COB Speicher the events were held early in the morning so that as many people as possible could participate. The Soldiers at 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division hosted a 6K run and walk that morning.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. McCoy, the 4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. command sergeant major, said that sexual harassment and assault have no place on the battlefield or anywhere in the Army.

"We have to live, eat, sleep together and as you know fight together in combat and anything that distracts from good order and discipline is always going to be a hindrance," he said.

On Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Soldiers from 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division took part in a 5K run/walk. "As of now we are brainstorming more events like this to bring people out in support of our cause," said Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Ogawa, a deployed sexual assault response coordinator for 3SBCT, 2 Inf. Div.

The "I. A.M. Strong" was launched in 2008, and was developed to encourage Soldiers to "Intervene, Act, and Motivate" to prevent sexual assault before it occurs. Top Army leaders have been very vocal that when it comes to sexual harassment and assault, the Army has a "zero tolerance" policy.

"This morning we had a sexual assault awareness walk," explained. "We wanted to come out and make Soldiers aware of what is going on and talk about prevention."

There were more than 250 service members and civilians who walked with the Division Special Troops Battalion on COB Speicher.

"The key to prevention of sexual assault is spreading the word, keeping Soldiers aware and letting everyone know what is going on," Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Harrison, an Equal Opportunity advisor with Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, DSTB, 3rd ID. "The more they are informed the better we are at prevention."

"I look at it as if it was my mother, my brother, my sister, my aunt; a family member," expressed Harrison. "We are all one family in the armed services and one sexual assault is too many."

• Date Taken: 02.12.2010
• Date Posted: 02.15.2010 12:01
• Story ID: 45384
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ