Marines Partner With WBCA To Build Leaders

Photo By Sgt. Logan Block | Brigadier Gen. Loretta "Lori" Reynolds speaks to a group of young women at the 2016 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) in Indianapolis, April 2. Reynolds played basketball in college and told the young women that the way her coach impacted her as a player helped form her into the person she is today. Reynolds is currently the Commanding General of Marine Corps Cyberspace Command.  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES

04.05.2016

Story by Cpl. Logan Block 

Marine Corps Recruiting Command           

No matter how talented an individual may be, many will argue that they could not be where they are today without the help of influential leaders in their lives. For some, that leader may be a parent or a sibling. For others, it is a coach.
“The impact my college coach had on me helped me be the person I am today,” said Brigadier Gen. Loretta Reynolds, Commanding General, Marine Corps Cyberspace Command, during a panel discussion held by the “So You Want To Be a Coach?” program at the 2016 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Convention in Indianapolis.
From April 2-5, Marines showcased leadership capabilities at the 2016 WBCA conference. The engagement provided Marines an opportunity to interact with coaches from across the nation and allowed the coaches see that what they do aligns with what Marine leaders do.
"Leadership in the Marine Corps and in basketball are very similar," said 1st Lt. Kay Childers, Aviation Supply Officer, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. "We are able to influence people who are younger than us in so many ways, whether it’s coaches influencing players or Marine leaders influencing junior Marines."
Marines manned an information booth, hosted a Wake Up and Workout session with Sergeant Instructors from Officer Candidates School, and presented United States Marine Corps/WBCA Coach of the Year Awards at the weeklong conference.
“The Marine Corps is here to continue our relationship with WBCA,” said Master Sgt. Damian Cason, Diversity Chief, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. "We share a common belief in the leadership traits of the Marine Corps, and we plan to provide positive mentorship for the coaches to take back to their teams."
Many players attended the WBCA conference to learn about coaching opportunities once they are done playing. The WBCA’s “So You Want To Be a Coach?” program inspires and mentors young athletes who want to become future coaches. The program is similar to the Marine Corps’ leadership model – Marine leaders mentor, set the example, and serve as role models for young Marines striving to serve at the next level, to be promoted, or to be leaders of Marines.
“It's important to have good leadership in any organization because that is really the backbone of everything we do to get the mission accomplished,” said Capt. Ashley McMillan, Air Support Control Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. "As Marine leaders or as coaches, we want those that we lead to work with us to attain a common goal."
Throughout the conference, the Marine Corps was able to showcase its leadership capabilities and showed coaches that what they do with their players does not just affect them now, but sets them on the right path for them to grow and succeed in their future.
“I've known I wanted to join the Marine Corps since I was first introduced to it at the age of 16,” said Childers, who decided to join the Marine Corps after playing basketball for the University of Minnesota and the WNBA. "I played at the highest level of basketball, so joining the Marine Corps allowed me to still be a part of the best of the best and be part of a team, just in a different aspect."

• Date Taken: 04.05.2016
• Date Posted: 04.06.2016 11:04
• Story ID: 194519
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US