MTC Bliss leaders receive Bystander Intervention

Courtesy Photo | Representatives from 5th Armored and 402nd Field Artillery Brigades listen attentively during the Bystander Intervention training on Fort Bliss, Texas, recently. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Parish, MTC Bliss Public Affairs)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

02.10.2015

Courtesy Story

First Army Division West

By Capt. John A. Brimley
Mission Training Center Bliss Public Affairs

FORT BLISS, Texas — More than 45 Soldiers and leaders from both 5th Armored and 402nd Field Artillery Brigades received Bystander Intervention training here recently.

The Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Program Victim Advocates received the intense three-day session while brigade and battalion command teams participated in the five-hour executive session.

Both courses were designed to provoke critical thought and spark dialogue about leader development, trust and their roles within the unit and as a potential bystander.

Master Sgt. Jeffrey Fenlason, Fort Stewart, Georgia, Raider Initiative Group director, and his team travel throughout the Army teaching Bystander Intervention.

“We believe we’re doing leader development and culture change work throughout the Army,” said Fenlason.

While Bystander Intervention sheds light on SHARP-related incidents, it extends across the formation and focuses on the decision making process in that moment for individual witnesses.

“What we’re trying to do is poke a little bit through some very engaging scenarios that make you think about what you would do and why you would do it in a particular situation,” said Fenlason.

For many training participants, it was eye-opening information and a refreshing experience. The training was a transition from typical SHARP-related training and provided a different perspective.

“The class took us from not really acknowledging the bystander at all to actually being able to justify different actions that a bystander takes,” said Sgt. 1st Class Melliony Carter, 5th Armored Brigade personnel and administrative support non-commissioned officer-in-charge.

Carter brings a unique perspective having been both a victim of sexual harassment and assault and a bystander.

“Even with the education of this class, I think I would’ve dealt with it the same way,” said Carter. “You stick to what’s most familiar to you, and we resort back to 'what’s safer for me.'”

While the training didn’t change the way she views her own reactions in the incidents, she’s mindful and aware of how they transpire.

“You know the moments and the seconds that led up to yours,” said Carter. “You’re still in that frame of mind where you’re asking ‘is it truly happening, am I seeing something that’s really real or am I putting something in that’s not real?’”

For Arellano and Carter, the inaction isn’t based on the individual’s unwillingness to get involved. There are many factors that play a role, but as Arellano sees it, individuals are bystanders to many infractions everyday such as Army uniform violations as well as customs and courtesies.

“If you were to count up how many times you saw something and didn’t say a word about it, you’d probably lose count,” said Sgt. 1st Class Albert Arellano, 5th Armored Brigade Equal Opportunity Advisor.
The bystander intervention training recognizes and places emphasis on an individual’s decision-making process. Experiences, cultural biases, age, gender and other factors all play into how an individual reacts in the moment.

“I think as we look at the overall climate of many units, a program like this fosters discussion,” said Fenlason. “People start to talk and in that talking we break down the barrier that stops people from getting involved.”

Fenlason, one of the creators of this training, and his team, do not see this instruction as SHARP.

“It combines a lot of different programs,” said Fenlason. “There are elements of the SHARP Program. There are elements of EO [Equal Opportunity]. There are elements of Family Advocacy.”

Col. Raul Gonzalez, commander of 5th Armored Brigade, see the benefits beyond SHARP and EO.

“I look at it as a leader development session and the big thing is for Soldiers to be mindful of themselves, to understand and then start doing introspection,” he said. “From that, it’ll affect their judgment. Once you’re able to make decisions, you’re then accountable for those decisions. That bystander intervention [training] gets us to that.”

Col. James Gallivan, commander of 402nd Field Artillery Brigade agrees.

“We’re growing leaders,” he said. “It’s job one of what we do and it impacts all of our principles.

• Date Taken: 02.10.2015
• Date Posted: 02.10.2015 14:56
• Story ID: 154126
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US