Photo By Sgt. Amber Bohlman | Members of the Guantanamo Bay Sisters in Arms gathered here March 12 with the senior...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Once a month, both male and female service members from every branch gather to coach and mentor each other in an environment of trust. This organization is otherwise known as the Sisters in Arms.
When hearing the term “Sisters in Arms,” many people assume it is a tool for only women in the military. When in reality the program is there for service members to learn how to work together whether you are a male or a female.
Sisters in Arms is an informal organization designed to give service members the tools they need to learn and grow professionally, while being able to identify and confront certain challenges that are specific to women, through coaching and mentorship, in a place where they can trust those around them.
“We want to break down these biases, and say ‘Yes you can mentor a female,’’’ said Army Maj. Genelle Lee, this month’s event coordinator.
Each month, the events hosted are broken down differently; no event is the same, providing a wide variety of learning opportunities to service members.
“We do social events, we do formal panel events, general discussions or have a guest speaker. They are all opportunities and venues to get professional development,” Lee said.
Lee said the program was originally for females but has since morphed into a program where service members who have female subordinates are given the opportunity to learn how to mentor and coach them without having to worry that what they are doing is going to be perceived in a negative way.
“I would recommend that everyone join the program or attend the events. I truly believe that there is something valuable to take away from the program, no matter what your gender or branch of service is,” said Tech. Sgt. Lacey Schafer, equal opportunity adviser.
The most recent meeting, held March 12, was in the format of a senior leader panel; its focus was on standards of professionalism through misperception. The forum was held so males and females of all ranks and services had the opportunity to listen to their senior leaders’ points-of-view on their definition of standards of professionalism.
“I decided to attend because I thought the topic was interesting, and it was an opportunity to show support for the program as well as the panel members. I think that each member was able to provide a new perspective on various topics,” Schafer said.
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2015 14:44 |
| Story ID: | 161009 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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