FORT STEWART, Ga.—More than 100 Third Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, soldiers participated in the 2nd annual Provider Parenting Day, Oct. 19, at Fort Stewart’s Main Post Chapel.

“This is a day that focuses on empowering our soldiers and families to be stronger parents,” said Capt. Dana Cook, a member of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade’s surgeon cell team who organized this event.

It was a half day of large and small group break-out sessions that was geared toward expecting 3rd Sustainment Bde. soldiers and family members, or for those Troops with children under 4 years of age.

“One of the most stressful jobs is being a parent in the military,” said Cook. “A lot of our stress comes from having children; the importance of teaching soldiers and families how to appropriately handle that stress (coupled with a) high-stress job it is important.”

Many of the guest speakers at the event shared a personal story while discussing a topic to better relate to the troops in attendance.

“By sharing these stories, it helps (the soldiers) understand that even as a leader we still go through the same stuff they do and have the same stresses sometimes,” said Cook.

Some leaders joined their soldiers in attending the parenting classes.

“I sent some of my soldiers here and I want to get the same experience that they had,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Brown, 24th Ordnance Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Bde. “(Provider Parenting Day helps) make leaders better equipped to help Soldiers who have children.”

There were many prizes that were raffled off to the attendees. Various items including infant accessories, diapers and even car sears were donated by Army Community Service, Operation Home Front and Walmart.

“I certainly appreciate everyone who contributed to making the 2nd annual Provider Parenting Day a success,” said 3rd Sustainment Brigade Commander Col. Ron Novack.

To end the Provider Parenting Day, all of the brigade leaders attended an additional session.

“Leaders are the ones who interact with the soldiers, and they are the ones who can really make a difference,” said Cook. “If you are educated on some possible indicators you can be a better leader and build a stronger force by assisting when you know one of those indicators.”

The ‘Providers’ plan to host parenting day again next year; however ACS continues to offer parenting classes, free of charge. Call (912) 767-5058 on Fort Stewart and (912) 315-6816 at Hunter for more information.

Connected Media