BOSS study boards give Polk Soldiers edge over peers

Photo By Chuck Cannon | Pfc. Kevin Meleshuk (standing) reports to Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Ausbun, Fort Polk garrison command sergeant major, during a Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers study board. Ausbun conducts the study boards on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Home of Heroes Recreation Center.  

FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

03.06.2020

Story by TC Bradford 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

FORT POLK, La. -- Fort Polk’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, or BOSS, is best known for activities and events geared toward getting Soldiers out of the barracks and giving them fun activities to pursue on their down time. They take trips to sporting events, go skydiving, hold an annual beach bash, comedy shows and more.
They also get involved in the communities surrounding Fort Polk by serving at the soup kitchen in DeRidder. They help veterans in need like the time they helped a World War II veteran who was living in his car because his yard had gotten so out of control he was unable to get into his house.
They also pitched in to fulfill a young cancer patient’s dream of having a tree house. They partnered with Louisiana’s “Dreams Come True” to get the project done.
Another program they offer is study boards for Soldiers scheduled for Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year as well as promotion boards.
Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Ausbun, garrison command sergeant major, attends each study board held at the Home of Heroes recreation center Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Ausbun explains the purpose of the boards; what board members are looking for when Soldiers appear before them; and techniques Soldiers can use to better prepare.
Ausbun said the study sessions assist in creating a shared understanding of U.S. Army doctrine and board procedures.
Ausbun then conducts mock boards taking Soldiers through the process from start to finish. He offers tips and strategies Soldiers can use for their best chance of success. These mock boards are observed by everyone that shows up and later, an after action review is held where others can critique the member and note some possible stumbling blocks on the road to success. Ausbun said the program has a 100% success rate with Soldiers who take part.
One Soldier can attest to the efficacy of participating in the mock board program. Spc. Susana Gomez, BOSS vice president, has attended several, beginning when she was a private first class.
“I wanted to go to the board but my sergeants wouldn’t let me because I didn’t have any experience,” she said. “So I started coming to the practices to see what I needed to do to get myself in front of a board.”
Gomez said she was a blank slate when she started attending the mock boards — without knowledge of the regulations she would need for success.
The mock sessions changed that. She said Ausbun tailors the mock board to the needs of the Soldier.
“Promotion boards want to see how much you know about non-commissioned officer roles and responsibilities,” she said.
“Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year boards are looking for your depth of Army knowledge … things you should already know and be proficient with.”
Gomez has a string of successes under her belt because of her time in the study boards.
“I went to the Soldier of the Month in October of 2019 and won that board. I went to the Soldier of the Quarter board in January and I won that also,” she said.
“I went to a promotion board the same day as the Soldier of the Quarter and earned my promotable status.”
She said the thought of going in front of a board can be frightening, but Ausbun does a good job of getting you past your fears and gives Soldiers the tools to do well in a stressful situation.
“These study boards are special. This is a garrison command sergeant major coming out to teach us. You’re not going to find that at many installations.”
Pfc. Kevin Meleshuk, 32nd Hospital Center, was recently selected to appear before his unit’s Soldier of the Month board. During a morning brief, his command sergeant major suggested he check out the BOSS mock board program to get practice before he faces the real board in about a month. He said he tried to prepare for the board by studying, but knew he needed some help.
“I was nervous when I walked in. I’m a new Soldier. I’ve been in a year and a half and been at Fort Polk for about six months,” he said. “I figured I would show up and be ill prepared, which I definitely was, but I wanted to test the waters. I’m glad I was first one in the hot seat because now I know what I need to study.”
Meleshuk said he felt a little confident after studying for the last two weeks but going through the process really made him aware of his weaknesses. He had high praise for the way Ausbun runs the program.
“When I walked in and met him, I went to parade rest to address him and he told me to just relax. He talked us through the whole process from the time you knock on the door until the time you are dismissed,” he said. “He also made us aware that everyone sitting at the table has been in our shoes at one point in their careers. That was a comforting thought.”
When asked how he did, Meleshuk replied, “I did absolutely terrible. I answered three to four questions out of a dozen asked. As soon as I sat down in the hot seat, everything shut down. I was nervous but I think going through these sessions will develop the muscle memory that will allow me to work under pressure.”
Meleshuk said Ausbun advised him to work with his sponsor on study sessions and have the sponsor quiz him the same way Ausbun did at the mock board.
He was so impressed with the program he’s already spreading the word.
“I have some friends I’m going to text and have them come with me to the next one,” he said. “I can’t recommend this program enough. I think this is crucial practice for having success in front of the board.”
Meleshuk said he was surprised at the small number of Soldiers taking advantage of the program. “I hope we can get the message out and have more Soldiers attend. I think it’s an important step toward their future success.”
Ausbun said in his opinion the program is vitally important.
“I call it ‘Operation Give Back.’ This serves as a touch point with our future leaders of the United States Army. These sessions help junior leaders truly understand regulations and services provided by the installation,” he said. “Effective non-commissioned officers are leaders that put regulation into action to assist Soldiers and their Families on a daily basis.”
Ausbun credits the BOSS team for the success of the program.
“They drive communication down to the unit level. I have told the BOSS President, Corporal Bianca Ortiz, that it does not matter the size of the study session,” he said. “If we have one Soldier or a hundred Soldiers, we will still conduct the session because these Soldiers are taking personal time out of their day to become a better leader.”
For more information, talk to your BOSS representative or head to the Home of Heroes Recreation Center Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. They’ll save a seat for you.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2020
• Date Posted: 03.06.2020 14:14
• Story ID: 364651
• Location: FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US