CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The sound of a crying baby is not something all Soldiers are used to, especially if they have been deployed for the last seven months, but expecting and new fathers of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division are preparing themselves for anything.
The brigade hosted its second installment of Daddy Boot Camp at the Camp Buehring Chapel in Kuwait, May 3.
The training included an instructional video on how to swaddle an infant, a slideshow on the “do’s and don’ts” of reintegrating back into family life and situational based questions.
“It’s designed to teach a lot of different things to first time fathers or expecting fathers,” said Maj. Cori Etheridge, behavior health officer, 2nd ABCT. “We look at and explore the father’s fears, apprehensions, what their hopes and dreams are and what type of father do they want to be.”
For one first time father, the class made him confident in the ability to go home and play a major role.
“I feel like I’m better now,” said Pfc. Aric Golgart, infantryman, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 2nd ABCT. “I’m more prepared and I am going to actually be able to help my wife.”
And why did leadership think it is important to have the class for the soon-to-be redeploying Soldiers?
“Going home and redeploying without having this knowledge kind of puts (Soldiers) at a disadvantage,” said Etheridge. “Things are going to happen and how did you prepare for them? You will be aware of, and you have an idea of how to address the issues you are going to face when you go home.”
Additionally, the training focused on what it will be like interacting with mommy once Soldiers return home.
“We also explore the importance of having a healthy relationship between mom and dad, and displaying healthy interaction with the child because that helps the child as well.”
Soldiers spoke about what part of the training stood out to them the most.
“The class actually helped me obtain knowledge on how to care for a crying baby, or a baby that couldn’t sleep very well,” said Golgart.
Soldiers will now be well prepared to handle multiple situations they may come across once they arrive home.
“Now that they have this knowledge and the expectations of what these changes are, they are able to adapt better to these changes,” said Etheridge. “It’s preparing them for those types of changes in that home environment.”
The brigade plans to continue the classes through the end of the deployment as needed for the new fathers.
| Date Taken: |
05.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: |
05.06.2014 09:14 |
| Story ID: |
128867 |
| Location: |
CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Hometown: |
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Hometown: |
FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: |
57 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Daddies fall in, by SGM Andrew Porch, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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