Can Do Battalion Focuses on Leadership

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

08.01.2019

Story by Spc. Jordyn Worshek 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Can Do Battalion Focuses on Leadership
By Spc. Jordyn Worshek
The 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team boasts a rich, battle-hardened heritage, having homegrown a few of the Army’s most legendary names including Audie Murphy and Sylvester Antolak, among others. Maintaining that reputation while achieving its mission within the Spartan Brigade requires today’s leaders to ensure tomorrow is carefully guarded. Laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s leaders continued from July 16-19 as the Can Do Battalion launched it’s Team Leaders Academy.
“The expectation is to inform the new and upcoming team leaders on what our expectations are of them [Soldiers]. Also, how we want them to work within our battalion and how their knowledge can impact the mission,” said Staff Sgt. Tyrone Love, an intelligence analyst assigned to 3-15.
While there are few substitutes for experience and knowledge, effective leaders understand the importance of preparation. Trends show younger Soldiers already serving in leadership positions prior to attending Noncommissioned Officer Education Schools. 3-15 developed the Team Leaders Academy not to supersede NCOES, but to reinforce preparation and to improve attendees’ performances.
“It’s [the Team Leaders Academy] not necessarily in place of anything else, but it’s a pre-course to look at before other courses. 3-15 started having the Team Leader Academy because they would send Soldiers to BLC and they wouldn’t do as well because they didn’t know what to expect,” said Staff Sgt. Joey Nace, an infantryman assigned to 3-15. “This Team Leaders Academy gives them an idea of what to expect and how to be better leaders even before BLC.”
The Team Leaders Academy further prepares leaders by focusing on more than basic soldiering and combat skills. It’s designed to create a legacy of helping lead Soldiers at home station or while deployed thousands of miles across the world.
“Besides infantry skills, it’s important for them to know being a leader isn’t always physical, it’s not always about being tactical,” said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Yorormad, 3-15 Infantry’s Operations NCO. “It’s about taking care of Soldiers by knowing how to take care of financial issues or medical issues- so they know their Soldier’s family is taken care of. They know how to handle administrative things so when it comes time to deploy, they know their Soldiers are good.”
These concepts create a more competent, capable leader.
“Getting together and learning how to do different things outside of your MOS helps build all around leadership skills during the Team Leaders Academy,” said Sgt. Willie Grace, a human resources NCO assigned to 3-15. “And that’s not something every Battalion does for their Soldiers, it’s unique to 3-15.”
The Can Do Battalion will continue shaping its history and heritage by improving on the event, with the next Team Leader Academy scheduled later this fall. To follow 3-15’s progress and get more information on future events throughout Spartan Brigade, visit the Brigade Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2BCT.3ID.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2019
• Date Posted: 08.01.2019 11:09
• Story ID: 334062
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US