Photo By Amy Christopherson | Spc. Andrew McAllister, an ammunition stock control specialist with Headquarters and...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas — Good leaders understand the importance of knowing what is going on in their soldiers lives, and they are often looking for ways to improve communications with their soldiers.
In 2010, the 5-4-5 program was developed within the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, as an experimental program to enhance communications with soldiers and their leaders. Capt. Mark Lee, the battalion chaplain, and Lt. Col. John Hickey, who was the battalion commander at the time, put their heads together to develop the program.
Lee and Hickey believed that small, informal discussion groups would help soldiers open up more with their leaders, rather than a one-on-one conversation that can seem more formal and intimidating. The 5-4-5 program is a guided conversation, with a small group participating in short weekly discussions.
“The topics and quotes are provocative,” Hickey said. “They sometimes provoke disagreement from soldiers and that’s important. I bet in every session, leaders have learned something new about their soldiers.”
Lee provides small pamphlets with thought-provoking statements or questions in five different subject areas. Each subject is discussed for 4-5 minutes.
“The key is 20 minutes,” Hickey said. “The discussion is quick and it resolves the burden of time. It keeps things simple and straight to the point.”
Currently, the battalion participates in 5-4-5 sessions on Monday mornings when the companies are already gathered for motor stables.
Staff Sgt. Gabriel Hamilton, a platoon sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th STB, 4th Sust. Bde., said he’s found the program useful in getting to know his soldiers, even during a busy time.
“It’s a good way to dialogue with your soldiers if you don’t have the opportunity during the week,” he said. “It helps give you some awareness of what’s going on in their lives and how they approach problems.”
1st Sgt. Rogelio Rodriguez, with HHC, 4th STB, 4th Sust. Bde., said he has found 5-4-5 benefits soldiers because it gives their NCOs the opportunity to share some knowledge and experience in an informal setting.
“Soldiers can hear you better in a casual conversation,” he said. “Soldiers are more receptive and they learn more when you talk with them instead of at them.”
Lee said his program is functional in deployed environments as well as in garrison. It is simply a small gathering of soldiers.
“As we share our own story, we find the greatest resource we have is each other,” Lee said.
| Date Taken: | 05.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2012 10:35 |
| Story ID: | 88442 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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