Several female Soldiers from the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Female Mentorship Network met at the Legion Dining Facility, Sept. 16, 2015, to share career success tips.
The focus of this luncheon was identifying, setting and accomplishing goals.
“To set a goal you must first write it down,” stressed 1st Lt. Debbie-Ann Smith, executive officer, Signal Company, DHHB, saying, “That’s the only way to truly commit to your goal.”
Smith is the current leader of the Battalion’s FMN, bringing with her a successful framework for the program from her previous assignment.
“I have always believed that females in the military are a force to be reckoned with, however, we are a small force,” said Smith. “I don’t feel that we’re always cohesive amongst ourselves so us networking together would allow for us to have better recognition and gain more respect as equals among our male counterparts.”
The network isn’t only about career progression, she said. Being a single parent, for example, presents its own set of hardships that not all Soldiers understand. By creating a structured environment, that brings individuals together that may not otherwise meet, each Soldier becomes stronger through the network – personally and professionally.
“I was at my 12-year mark in the Army before I actually got a mentor,” said Sgt. 1st Class Christina Lewis, Sig. Co., DHHB.
By having this program available, female Soldiers from across a battalion or brigade have the opportunity to collaborate, learn from and network with others that they may not otherwise talk to, said Lewis.
“I haven’t had female mentorship in my military career,” said Sgt. Morgan Evans, Sig. Co., DHHB. “Finally, I come here to Fort Stewart and now I have it. I have a connection with other females.”
Evans continued by saying that she will continue to participate and contribute to the FMN here, and actively search for the program at her next duty station.
For predictability Smith said, “At a minimum I want to have monthly awareness events and monthly ‘lunch and learns’ so there will always be at least two events.”
Fort Stewart’s Female to Female mentorship program aims to build a strong, healthy corps of female Soldiers who can turn to each other in times of need or when they just need a friend, said Col. Dianne Pannes during the program’s launch, January 2014.
| Date Taken: |
09.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: |
09.30.2015 09:48 |
| Story ID: |
177609 |
| Location: |
FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: |
64 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Female DHHB Soldiers hold mentorship luncheon, by SGT Uriah Walker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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