Photo By Patrick Buffett | Military and Family Life Counselor Melissa Futreal discusses the support services her...... read more read more
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FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 29, 2016) -- An early morning training event here Sept. 21 helped officers and enlisted leaders of the Ordnance School better understand the burden of those struggling with despair and suicidal thoughts.
Setting out on a hike with ruck sacks, about 30 individuals encountered information stations along a four-mile course that introduced emotional hardships like anxiety, fear, alienation, jealousy, betrayal and so forth, as well as resources in the military community – chaplains, military family life counselors, SHARP counselors and Army Community Service advocates – that offer help.
At each hardship location, the troops added dumbbells ranging from 5-15 pounds to their ruck sacks, and the ones that addressed support presented an opportunity to shed some of the weight.
“It really drives home the point of what some of our Soldiers are carrying around,” observed Capt. Daniel Amato, commander of Echo Company, 832nd Ord. Battalion, as he lugged a load estimated at just over 50 pounds down Quartermaster Road. The effort on top of post-rain humidity had sweat dripping from every participant’s brow.
“I think it’s important to understand how individuals can be weighed down by negative feelings and how quickly it can build into something far worse than just having a bad day,” Amato continued. “We need training like this to give us different perspectives and to help us better connect with the millennials in our student companies. Doing something like this makes us better leaders in my opinion.”
Lt. Col. Timothy Gallagher, 832nd Ord. Bn. commander, led the planners who came up with the training concept. As he walked away from a station with signs on its table reading “dissatisfaction,” “envy” and “prejudice,” he noted how often his cadre encounters students who “brought stuff with them … baggage, so to speak.” The initial entry training environment also is fraught with the aforementioned emotional hardships stemming from worries over fitting in amongst peers, passing ones military courses, being fit enough to pass a physical training test, and so much more.
“Understanding what they’re going through – what any Soldier can experience at any point in his or her career – is what we attempted to show here, in addition to how problems can build over time and become an unbearable weight that makes it difficult to continue forward,” Gallagher said.
“The other side of it is fully understanding the expert resources available in the community,” he continued. “When we reach the points where weights are coming out of our rucksacks, it’s going to be appreciated. There will be a message at those locations, ‘we’re here to help so you don’t have to bear the weight alone.’”
Staff Sgt. Anthony Brooks, Alpha-832nd SHARP advocate; Melissa Futreal, an MFL counselor; Lakeisha Jones, an ACS family advocate; and Chaplain (Capt.) Edgar Moralesjude, 832nd Ord. Bn. Chaplain, were among the participating cheerleaders of community support. True to Gallagher’s word, they emphasized available counseling and referral services and noted how the all-important first step – recognizing help is needed and asking for it – is key to resiliency, career success and suicide prevention.
“Getting past the idea we’re all indestructible warriors who can’t show weakness is a good first step,” noted Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Holk, a Charlie Company, 832nd Ord. Bn. platoon sergeant. “I think we’re getting there. This march is a good example of how the mindset is changing.”
The group reached Shop Road and participants discussed the content of “stress cards” handed out at the emotional hardship stations. “People make fun of me because of the way I talk,” said one Soldier, reading aloud. “I’m upset because I didn’t get the (military occupational speciality) I wanted,” read another. Holk made note of a big issue he deals on a regular basis – the 68-percent attrition rate among 89-Delta, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course, students. Some fail to meet its demands in the first week and have to be re-classed into another MOS.
“In the AIT environment, everything moves so fast and it’s easy to overlook a Soldier who may be struggling,” Holk said. “This is a good reminder about the things that can really grind away at someone. The stress, the hours, the ability to fit in … it can all build up over time, and it’s important to recognize it and deal with it before it becomes serious.”
The 11-year Soldier complimented his battalion for its attitude toward seeking help.
“People here seem to be a lot more open and willing to talk about it,” Holk said. “I’ve heard conversations like, ‘hey, I’m going to an appointment at Behavioral Health,’ and the response is ‘OK, see you went you get back.’ It’s like they have a dental appointment or something. It’s no big deal.”
Roughly 20 minutes later, the group had made its way back across the flyover bridge and arrived at Whittington Parade Field, the finish point for the training event. USO representatives were standing by with refreshments. Gallagher was congratulated by Col. Sean Davis, 59th Ord. Brigade commander and a ruck march participant.
“My final message to you is we all have to stay in this fight,” Gallagher said in closing remarks to the group. “I know it’s not always easy when you’re in a TRADOC training environment where 18-19-hour days are part of the equation, but that’s the reality of this business. Caring for Soldiers as well as each other is what we do, and as I noted earlier, I’m proud to say not a single platoon sergeant in this battalion has blown off a suicidal ideation or blown off a Soldier coming to you saying, ‘hey, I need to talk to somebody.’ Our record is strong, and I thank you for that.”
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2016 12:49 |
| Story ID: | 210918 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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